FBI posts intelligence interviewing BAA

On April 30, the Federal Bureau of Investigation posted a broad agency announcement entitled, “Advancing the Research and Practice of Intelligence Interviewing and Interrogation” (Solicitation Number: 15F06718R0006603). Offerors seeking a FY 18 award are encouraged to submit white papers by 3:00 p.m. ET on May 30.

The High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group (HIG), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), selects its research efforts through the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) process subsequent to the provisions of paragraph 6.102(d) (2) (i) and 35.016 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), which provides for the acquisition of basic and applied research and that part of development not related to the development of a specific system or hardware procurement through the competitive selection of proposals. This is an unrestricted solicitation. Contracts and grants and other assistance agreements made under BAAs are for scientific study and experimentation directed towards advancing the state of the art and increasing knowledge or understanding.

The FBI anticipates making, but is not obligated to make, multiple awards under this BAA. The amount of resources made available under this BAA will depend on the quality of the proposals received. Award decisions are subject to the availability of funds and the FBI may choose to not execute any award under this BAA due to unavailability of funds or other factors. Due to Government budget uncertainties, (1) No specific dollars have been reserved for total awards under this BAA, and (2) No award floor or ceiling thresholds have been established for individual awards under this BAA.

The purpose of this BAA is to provide for the competitive selection of research proposals for social and behavioral science research to deepen our understanding of the complex social and behavioral processes underpinning intelligence interviewing and interrogation. Offerors will not conduct research for the HIG in HIG facilities.

Background

The mission of the HIG is to deploy the nation’s best available interrogation resources against detainees identified as having potential information regarding terrorist attacks against the United States and its allies. The HIG brings together an experienced team of professionals and subject matter experts from various Government agencies and an international and an interdisciplinary team of researchers, in the field of interrogation practices and techniques.

In order to accomplish its operational mission, the HIG research mandate is to study and evaluate whether the interrogation practices and techniques in Army Field Manual 2-22.3, when employed by departments and agencies outside the military, “provide an appropriate means of acquiring the intelligence necessary to protect the Nation and, if warranted, to recommend any additional or different guidance for other departments or agencies” (Executive Order 13491). The HIG Research Program serves as the locus for advancing the science and practice of interrogation within the United States government.

Full information is available here.

Source: FedBizOpps