The September 28, 2026 amendment provides an annual update and statutory scope clarification under 10 U.S.C. 4023, following a prior amendment on November 20, 2025. Under this announcement, acquisitions are strictly limited to developing, procuring, or integrating items, prototypes, or auxiliary services necessary for experimentation, technical evaluation, operational utility assessment, or maintaining a residual operational capability. Proposals must explicitly address experimental utility, quantity limitations tied to testing and assessment, and provisions for the Government to retain residual operational capability if testing succeeds. The update also revises applicable RFO provisions and clauses and updates cybersecurity safeguarding requirements, including NIST SP 800-171 SPRS verification and task-specific CMMC compliance. Offerors must refer to the revised CHEERS Industry Guide (September 2026) on the parent MAA and use the related notice to obtain additional attachments such as Statements of Objectives and S&T Protection Appendices.

This is an annual update solicitation for experimental procurement under the "Open Period 2 - All Technical Areas" and the broader CHEERS program. The work involves human enabling, enhancing, restoring, and sustaining technologies. To obtain the full requirements, including the Industry Guide and Statements of Objectives, bidders must refer to the related Multiple Authority Announcement. No specific budget, performance location, or non-bid timelines are detailed in this amendment notice.