ONHS Report: W911NF-27-R-A001

The Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program Cooperative Agreement

Solicitation ID: W911NF-27-R-A001

Agency: Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering/Science & Technology Foundations Office

Type: Cooperative Agreement

Deadline: 2026-12-03T00:00:00 ET

Eligibility: Maybe (Unspecified)

Funding: Maximum award of up to $1,300,000,000 over a ten-year period of performance. The estimated annual budget includes a Base Period (up to $120M), Option Year 1 (up to $120M), and scales up through nine option years to a maximum of $140M per year.

Doc Type: Other

Clearance: No

Program Manager: charlotte.a.george.4.civ@mail.mil

Last Updated: 2026-10-01 16:03

Analyzed File: SMART_CA_2026_NFO.pdf

Eligibility Reasoning

To be qualified, potential applicants must have the following: • Management capability and adequate financial and technical resources to administer the program of activities envisioned under the SMART Program. • A satisfactory record of administering such programs or activities (if a prior recipient of an award). • A satisfactory record of integrity and business ethics. • Be otherwise qualified and eligible to receive a CA under applicable laws and regulation.

Note: This is an AI-generated summary...

Summary

The Department of War (DoW) is offering a single, ten-year Cooperative Agreement (CA) with a maximum value of $1.3 billion to an entity to partner in the implementation and execution of the Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program. This program provides scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students in 22 critical STEM disciplines in exchange for a post-graduation service commitment as a DoW civilian employee. The selected recipient will be responsible for five fundamental elements in collaboration with the government: 1) Program Management and Administration, including the entire scholar lifecycle from application through post-service tracking; 2) Data Management, Analysis, and Reporting, centered on maintaining and enhancing the SMART Information Management System (SIMS) on a FedRAMP High/Impact Level 4 platform; 3) Strategic Communications and Marketing to promote the program nationally; 4) Scholar Payments and Expenses, involving the disbursement of tuition, stipends, and other allowances projected at $60M-$100M annually; and 5) Independent Program Evaluation to assess program impact and identify growth opportunities. A significant portion of the budget, no less than 82-87% of the total annual award, must be dedicated to direct scholarship costs. Proposals will be evaluated on technical plan, management, past performance, credentials, and cost, with an emphasis on the feasibility of the implementation plan.

Overall Technical Areas

Information Systems ManagementAgile Software DevelopmentSecure Web Portal DevelopmentData Analytics and ReportingLongitudinal Program EvaluationInformation Systems SecuritySecure Cloud Infrastructure (FedRAMP)Aeronautical and Mechanical EngineeringComputer Science and EngineeringData Science and Operations ResearchElectrical and Nuclear EngineeringMaterials Science and ChemistryBiosciences and Biomedical EngineeringNaval Architecture and OceanographyCognitive and Behavioral Sciences

Probable LBNL Areas

BSACSAEESAETALDOperations

Focus Areas

Example Priorities:

Cooperatively, with the SMART Program Office, assist in the administration of the program to include, but not limited to, the application and award cycle, monitoring and interaction with students during academic pursuit, monitoring and interaction with scholars upon graduation, hiring tracking, development of materials for default cases and debt establishments, web site development and maintenance, SMART Innovation Awards, and assist in the execution of SMART at the participating DoW SFs across each DoW Component and other DoW agencies.
The Recipient must demonstrate the capability to manage the program’s core lifecycle- including the application and award cycle, student monitoring and interaction during academic pursuit and upon graduation, hiring tracking, and the maintenance of long-term retention metrics.
The Recipient will collaborate with the Government to host, maintain and update the existing SMART Scholarship Program website as required at various times within the scholarship lifecycle.
The Recipient will serve as the primary point of contact for the SMART Program, managing all inbound inquiries from the general public, prospective and current applicants, and program participants.

Specific Technical Skills:

Program ManagementLifecycle ManagementStakeholder CommunicationCompliance TrackingWebsite ManagementCase ManagementPolicy DevelopmentEvent PlanningPublic Information Services

Potential PIs for this Area:

Name	Score	Organization
Kristina S. H. LaCommare	0.77	ETA \| Building Tech. & Urban Sys. \| Whole Building Sys Dept · Program Management
Dianna LaFerry	0.76	CSA \| Computing \| CSDO Divisional Office · Website Management
Philippe Butler	0.74	Operations \| Information Technology \| User Support · Website Management
Natalie Baillargeon	0.74	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Energy Markets & Planning · Policy Development
Seth Carbon	0.73	BSA \| Env. Genomics & Sys. Biology \| BioSystems Data Science · Lifecycle Management
Patty Angus	0.73	ETA \| Building Tech. & Urban Sys. \| Bldg & Industrial App Dpt · Compliance Tracking
Robi Nilson	0.72	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Energy Markets & Planning · Stakeholder Communication
Cory Snavely	0.72	CSA \| NERSC \| HPC Technology Department · Public Information Services
Jingjing Zhang	0.72	ETA \| Building Tech. & Urban Sys. \| Whole Building Sys Dept · Event Planning
Gregory Lemieux	0.72	EESA \| CESD \| Earth System Sciences · Case Management

Example Priorities:

In close collaboration with the SMART Program, maintain the program’s SMART Information Management System (SIMS) that will track, update, and maintain all SMART Program data.
The Recipient will maintain data for all participants since program inception alongside policy and process repositories. All SIMS data will be readily available to the Government for statistical and management purposes and should be easily manipulated into reports and charts when required.
Using a robust software development lifecycle, the Recipient will propose a plan to maintain and enhance the SIMS database to support all the fundamental elements.
All SIMS infrastructure should be authorized at FedRAMP High/Impact Level 4 (www.fedramp.gov). To ensure the long-term viability and ease of transition of SIMS, the system shall be developed and hosted on a commercially available, widely-supported, and platform-independent solution, such as ServiceNow or an equivalent platform.

Specific Technical Skills:

Database ManagementData AnalyticsSoftware Development LifecycleBusiness Intelligence ReportingFedRAMP CompliancePII/PHI Data SecurityIT Infrastructure HostingSystem ArchitectureServiceNow PlatformData Migration

Potential PIs for this Area:

Name	Score	Organization
Cory Snavely	0.78	CSA \| NERSC \| HPC Technology Department · IT Infrastructure Hosting
Cees De Laat	0.77	CSA \| ESNET \| Tech Adv and Engagement · IT Infrastructure Hosting
Jason Lowe-Power	0.76	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Applications · System Architecture
Stefan Lasiewski	0.75	CSA \| NERSC \| HPC Technology Department · ServiceNow Platform
Sean Peisert	0.74	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Applications · PII/PHI Data Security
Seth Carbon	0.74	BSA \| Env. Genomics & Sys. Biology \| BioSystems Data Science · Software Development Lifecycle
Nicholas Tyler	0.73	CSA \| NERSC \| Sci Eng & Workflows Department · Data Migration
Alexander Sim	0.73	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Research · Data Analytics
Tiffany Connors	0.73	CSA \| NERSC \| Data Center Department · FedRAMP Compliance
Devarshi Ghoshal	0.72	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Applications · Database Management

Example Priorities:

Develop and implement an annual communication and marketing strategic plan, in conjunction with the SMART Program, that supports outreach to internal and external stakeholders on behalf of the SMART Program.
The Recipient will collaborate with the Government to publicize and promote the SMART Scholarship Program to a wide ranging, national audience, comparable to other nationally renowned undergraduate and graduate level science and technology programs, to attract the highest qualified prospective applicants.
Manage official SMART Program social media accounts including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and others as social media landscapes evolve.
The Recipient will work closely with the Government to actively market and provide outreach support to the general public, internal and external stakeholders (including but not limited to colleges and universities, affinity groups, SMART sponsoring facilities, and other scholarship programs) on behalf of the SMART Program.

Specific Technical Skills:

Strategic MarketingDigital EngagementSocial Media ManagementPublic RelationsContent CreationBrand ManagementAcademic OutreachStakeholder EngagementMarket AnalysisPromotional Material Development

Potential PIs for this Area:

Name	Score	Organization
Dianna LaFerry	0.75	CSA \| Computing \| CSDO Divisional Office · Content Creation
Eric O'Shaughnessy	0.75	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Energy Markets & Planning · Market Analysis
Arpit Gupta	0.72	CSA \| ESNET \| Tech Adv and Engagement · Digital Engagement
Kripa Jagannathan	0.72	EESA \| CESD \| Earth System Sciences · Stakeholder Engagement
Peter Cappers	0.72	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Energy Markets & Planning · Strategic Marketing
Louis-Benoit Desroches	0.72	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Energy Efficiency Studies · Promotional Material Development
Jing Ke	0.71	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Energy Efficiency Studies · Public Relations
Laleh Cote'	0.71	LD \| LD \| Internships Office · Academic Outreach
Rory Schmick	0.70	ETA \| Building Tech. & Urban Sys. \| Bldg & Industrial App Dpt · Brand Management
Drew Paine	0.70	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Applications · Social Media Management

Example Priorities:

Assist the SMART Program with payment of scholar’s tuition, stipends, and other expenses on behalf of the Government.
The Recipient should consider proposing an efficient and effective plan to distribute stipend and academic fees on time, provide stipend payments monthly directly to the awardees, and pay tuition and fees based on institutional billing practices, using common financial business practices and tools.
A report of the amount of all stipend payments and allowance on each scholarship program participant is needed to be sent to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on the appropriate Federal forms and within the IRS required timeframe.
Recipient will provide monthly reports to SMART Program Office detailing current execution and projected costs for both administrative/operational efforts and scholar costs and expenses.

Specific Technical Skills:

Financial DisbursementTuition Payment ProcessingStipend ManagementFinancial ReportingBudget ForecastingTax ReportingFunds RecoupmentFinancial TrackingCost Projection

Potential PIs for this Area:

Name	Score	Organization
Carl Blumstein	0.73	ETA \| Building Tech. & Urban Sys. \| Whole Building Sys Dept · Funds Recoupment
Juan Pablo Carvallo	0.72	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Energy Markets & Planning · Cost Projection
Maximilian Auffhammer	0.72	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Systems & Energy Tech Analysis · Cost Projection
Alan Sanstad	0.72	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Energy Markets & Planning · Budget Forecasting
Eric O'Shaughnessy	0.71	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Energy Markets & Planning · Budget Forecasting
Jing Ke	0.71	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Energy Efficiency Studies · Tax Reporting
Nica Campbell	0.71	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Systems & Energy Tech Analysis · Financial Tracking
Laura Crosby	0.71	Operations \| Office of the Chief Finance Officer (OCFO) \| Procurement · Stipend Management
Galen Barbose	0.71	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Energy Markets & Planning · Financial Tracking
Dianna LaFerry	0.70	CSA \| Computing \| CSDO Divisional Office · Tuition Payment Processing

Example Priorities:

Perform independent program evaluations to assess progress and identify gaps and growth opportunities through collaboration with an external entity.
To preserve integrity of a third-party evaluation, the Recipient should consider partnering with an external entity within the CA to perform independent evaluations of the SMART Program that is longitudinal in nature.
The Recipient, in close coordination with the Government, will develop annual reports, widely available to the public, that detail both the immediate and long-term impact that SMART has on the DoW mission, as well as longer longitudinal evaluations for the SMART Program Office detailing program and process effectiveness.
When scoping the evaluation effort, the Recipient and evaluation partner should bear in mind the existing data-rich resource in SIMS, though others may be useful.

Specific Technical Skills:

Program EvaluationLongitudinal StudiesStatistical AnalysisData-driven AssessmentPerformance MetricsImpact AssessmentQualitative AnalysisQuantitative AnalysisThird-Party AuditingReporting

Potential PIs for this Area:

Name	Score	Organization
Zixi Hu	0.74	CSA \| AMCR \| Mathematics · Statistical Analysis
Neil Mehta	0.73	CSA \| NERSC \| Sci Eng & Workflows Department · Performance Metrics
Christian Schmid	0.72	ETA \| Building Tech. & Urban Sys. \| Bldg Technologies Dept · Data-driven Assessment
Jing Ke	0.72	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Energy Efficiency Studies · Impact Assessment
Shankar Earni	0.72	ETA \| Building Tech. & Urban Sys. \| Bldg & Industrial App Dpt · Third-Party Auditing
Thomas Hendrickson	0.72	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Systems & Energy Tech Analysis · Quantitative Analysis
Edward Vine	0.71	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Systems & Energy Tech Analysis · Program Evaluation
Eric Masanet	0.71	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Systems & Energy Tech Analysis · Qualitative Analysis
Zachary Needell	0.71	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Systems & Energy Tech Analysis · Reporting
Sydny Fujita	0.71	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Energy Efficiency Studies · Longitudinal Studies

Potential LBNL PIs (Overall)

Note on PI Matching: These suggestions are generated through an AI-driven semantic analysis of LBNL staff profiles.

Name	Score	Organization
Kristin Persson	0.78	ESA \| MSD \| Material Physics · Materials Science and Chemistry
Steven Hofmeyr	0.77	CSA \| AMCR \| Computer Science · Computer Science and Engineering
Alexander Sim	0.75	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Research · Data Analytics and Reporting
Piotr Zarzycki	0.75	EESA \| EG \| Geochemistry Dept · Naval Architecture and Oceanography
Hannah Parrilla	0.75	PSA \| NSD \| ANP · Electrical and Nuclear Engineering
Qin Yu	0.75	ESA \| MSD \| Material Physics · Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering
Grace Lau	0.75	ETA \| ESDR \| Energy Storage & Dist Dpt · Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering
Oluwamayowa Amusat	0.74	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Applications · Data Science and Operations Research
Anna Giannakou	0.74	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Applications · Agile Software Development
Rafael Zamora-Resendiz	0.74	CSA \| AMCR \| Computer Science · Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences

Fundamental Research Exemption (FRE)

This collaboration will also provide access to DoW’s world class research facilities to the selected Scholar, while pursuing collaborative fundamental research of mutual interest to the DoW and the Scholars.