ADVANCED RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT (ARA) TITLE: CHARACTERIZATION AND ASSESSMENT FOR SPACE DOMAIN AWARENESS (SDA)

Amendment / Modification

This amendment updates the solicitation for ARA FA8750-24-S-7005. The key changes are:

• Section III, Paragraph 5 (S&T Protection): Updates the language regarding Science and Technology (S&T) Protection.

• Section V, Paragraph 2.e (S&T Review): Updates the language concerning the S&T review process.

• Section III: S&T Protection

• Section V: Review and Selection Process

No changes to proposal deadlines or submission requirements are indicated. However, bidders should note the updated S&T Protection and review language when preparing their proposals, particularly regarding the required documentation for Senior/Key Personnel and "Covered Individuals" (e.g., Standard Form 424, Research and Related Senior and Key Person Profile, Security Program Questionnaire, and Privacy Act Statement). The process for Security Risk Review and its impact on award decisions remains a critical component.

This amendment clarifies existing requirements related to S&T protection and review processes. Bidders must ensure compliance with the updated language and submit all required documentation as outlined in the referenced appendices and proposal preparation instructions.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) seeks research and development for intelligent tasking, collection, processing, exploitation, analysis, and dissemination of data/information to support Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and Space Superiority. The focus is on High-Performance Computational SDA, utilizing experimental techniques and applications from ground, orbital, and cyber intelligence analysis to create an integrated, predictive SDA capability.

• Development of new algorithms, methods, techniques, and applications for SDA.

• Specific areas include automated pattern learning, anomaly detection, multi-source data fusion (radar, optical, SIGINT, IMINT, OSINT, social media, etc.), high-fidelity satellite modeling and vulnerability assessment, and astrodynamics algorithm development.

• Offerors must indicate if their proposed research is considered fundamental research.

• ARA Number: FA8750-24-S-7005

• Estimated Funding: Approximately $99M total.

• Anticipated Awards: Multiple Awards.

• Award Instruments: FAR-based procurement contracts or Other Transactions (OTs) under 10 USC 4021, 4022, and 4023.

• Individual Award Value: Normally $1M to $10M, not exceeding 48 months, but can be up to any dollar value within the ARA ceiling.

• Potential for follow-on production contracts/transactions after successful prototype completion.

• This is a two-step ARA. Step 1 requires white paper submissions.

• Suggested White Paper Submission Dates (to align with projected funding):

  • FY25: 30 NOV 2024
  • FY26: 30 NOV 2025
  • FY27: 30 NOV 2026
  • FY28: 30 NOV 2027
  • FY29: 30 NOV 2028

• White papers accepted until 12 JUL 2029.

• White Paper Format: 3-5 pages, double-spaced, 12pt font. Includes Title/Period/Cost/POCs (not counted), Task Objective, Technical Summary/Deliverables.

• Evaluation Criteria for White Papers: Scientific/Technical Merit, Related Experience, Openness/Maturity/Assurance of Solution, Reasonableness/Realism of Costs.

• Offerors will be notified of evaluation results within 45 days of submission.

• Generally closed to foreign participation (exceptions for fundamental research or FOCI mitigation).

• Contractor employees requiring access to USAF bases or IT networks must be U.S. citizens (exceptions for waivers or dual citizens).

• FFRDCs and Government entities must demonstrate work is not available from the private sector and meet specific eligibility criteria.

• Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) disclosures and mitigation plans are required.

• NAICS Code: 541715

• Agency: Department of the Air Force, AFRL.

• Contact Information: Technical inquiries to Carolyn Sheaff or Peter Rocci; Contractual inquiries to Amber Buckley.

• Offerors must be registered in SAM.gov.

• Specific requirements for S&T Protection, Cloud Computing, Human Use, and Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) apply.