AERIAL LAYER NETWORKING & TRANSMISSION TECHNOLOGIES

Quick Summary

The Department of the Air Force, AFRL - Rome Research Site, has issued Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA8750-23-S-7002 for Aerial Layer Networking & Transmission Technologies. This open, two-step BAA seeks innovative research and development to transform current aerial networks into more on-demand, self-forming, and self-healing systems. Initial submissions are white papers only, with formal proposals by invitation. The BAA has an estimated total funding of $99.5 million and anticipates multiple awards.

Scope of Work

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) aims to advance aerial layer networking capabilities, particularly in contested, degraded, and operationally limited (CDO) environments. Key research areas include:

• Airborne Network Management and Monitoring: Developing novel concepts, tools, and techniques for managing current and emerging airborne networks, including self-managing, self-healing autonomic wireless capabilities (e.g., Software Defined Networking (SDN), Network Function Virtualization (NFV)).
• Robust Airborne Networking: Creating technologies for apertures, waveforms, and networking to ensure resilient and secure airborne networks.
• Demonstrable Aerial Layer Network Technologies: Advancing radios, waveforms, networking, and management technologies suitable for proof-of-concept demonstrations.

Contract Details

• BAA Number: FA8750-23-S-7002
• NAICS Code: 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology))
• Estimated Total Funding: Approximately $99.5 million.
• Individual Award Size: Typically ranges from $1M to $10M, with a maximum duration of 36 months. Awards up to $49.5M are possible.
• Anticipated Awards: Multiple awards are expected, utilizing FAR-based Procurement contracts, DODGARS-based grants/cooperative agreements, or Other Transactions (OTs) under 10 USC 4021, 4022, and 4023. Successful prototype OTs may lead to follow-on production contracts.
• Set-Aside: None specified; open to all qualified offerors. Foreign participation is generally closed, with exceptions for unclassified fundamental research.

Submission & Evaluation

• Submission Type: Two-step process, starting with white papers. Formal proposals are by invitation only.
• White Paper Deadline: White papers are accepted until September 30, 2027, 5:00 PM EST. Suggested submission dates are provided for alignment with projected funding cycles (e.g., FY27 by September 15, 2026).
• White Paper Format: Must be 3-5 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font, and include specific sections such as Title, Period of Performance, Cost, Company Info, POCs, Task Objective, and Technical Summary/Deliverables.
• Evaluation Criteria: Proposals will be assessed based on Scientific and Technical Merit, Related Experience, Openness/Maturity/Assurance of Solution, and Reasonableness/Realism of proposed costs.
• S&T Protection: A Security Risk Review is conducted to protect Department of the Air Force S&T from foreign influence. Offerors must submit SF 424, a Security Program Questionnaire, and a Privacy Act Statement. Identified security risks may result in award declination.
• Financial Resources: For FAR-based awards, offerors must demonstrate adequate financial resources, including financial statements and significant ratios, and ensure GAAP compliance.

Contacts

• Technical Questions: Peter Fitzgerald (peter.fitzgerald.1@us.af.mil, 315-330-2082).
• Contractual Questions: Amber Buckley (Amber.Buckley@us.af.mil, 315-330-3605).
• Important: All offerors must monitor SAM.gov for amendments and adhere strictly to proposal preparation and submission instructions.