AFRL Rocket Lab Hermes BAA

Other / Unclassified

This document announces a Virtual Industry Day for the Payload Processing Facility requirement. This requirement is associated with RFI: FA9300PZRA0002 and will be executed under the AFRL Rocket Lab Hermes BAA FA9300-20-S-0001.

Interested parties are invited to attend the Virtual Industry Day. To receive a Microsoft Teams meeting invitation, vendors must submit a copy of their current DD2345 to Romina Snyder (Romina.snyder.2@us.af.mil) and Chelsi Wickersham (chelsi.wickersham@us.af.mil) by close of business on February 26, 2024. The Virtual Industry Day will be held on March 4, 2024, at 1000 PST. Questions and answers from the event will be recorded and made available upon request to parties with a current DD2345 after the event concludes. All other questions regarding the event should be directed to the contracting team.

Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Aerospace Systems Directorate (AFRL/RQ-West), seeks innovative research white papers for potential future research and development contracts. It is an open, two-step BAA with a 20-year open period, allowing for the submission of white papers and subsequent calls for specific research objectives. The goal is to mature technologies to appropriate readiness levels for Air Force missions.

• The BAA covers several technology areas, including:

  • Solid Rocket Motor Technology Development (RQRM Topics 1-3)
  • Liquid Rocket Engine Technology Development (RQRE Topics 1-6)
  • Air-Breathing Turbine Engine Technology Development (RQT Topic 1)

• Deliverables may include Contract Data Requirements List (CDRLs) such as status reports, scientific and technical reports, performance and cost reports, and final reports. Specific software and hardware deliverables will be identified in subsequent calls or awards.

• Offerors must submit white papers with a technical approach, rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost, and proposed deliverables. Full proposals will be requested for selected white papers.

• Awards will be in the form of contracts, purchase orders, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transactions.

• Individual awards are not anticipated to exceed $100M per contract, with no pre-defined minimum or maximum.

• Period of performance for each award is anticipated to be between 6 to 60 months.

• White papers are submitted to the White Paper Focal Point at AFTC.PZRA.BAAs@us.af.mil.

• White papers are limited to five (5) pages and must follow specific formatting guidelines.

• Evaluation criteria for white papers include technical approach consistency, research interest to the Government, and funding availability.

• Selected white papers may lead to a letter Request-for-Proposal (RFP) or solicitation.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• This is an unrestricted solicitation; small businesses are encouraged to respond.

• Foreign persons or foreign-owned firms are precluded from proposing.

• Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) have specific eligibility requirements.

• Offerors must register and certify with the Defense Logistics Services Center (DLSC) and submit DD Form 2345 with proposals.

• Communication should be directed to the Contracting Point of Contact (CPOC) or Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) as specified.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA9300-20-S-0001, issued by the Air Force Research Laboratory, Aerospace Systems Directorate (AFRL/RQ-West), seeks innovative research white papers for potential future full proposals. It is an open, two-step BAA with a 20-year period of performance. The BAA aims to solicit novel concepts and mature technologies for advanced missile and space launch systems.

The BAA covers several technology areas, including:

• Solid Rocket Motor Technology Development (AFRL/RQRM): Focuses on advanced components, manufacturing processes, and modeling/simulation for solid rocket motors (SRMs) for strategic and tactical missiles. Topics include inert and energetic components, automated assembly, and M&S tools.

• Liquid Rocket Engine Technology Development (AFRL/RQRE): Aims to improve space launch system propulsion for resiliency and rapid launch. Areas include disruptive engine concepts, modular propulsion systems, advanced materials and manufacturing, rapid launch/austere location technologies, and rotating detonation rocket engines.

• Air-Breathing Turbine Engine Technology Development (AFRL/RQT): Seeks to develop advanced turbine propulsion, power, and thermal technologies for affordable mission capability. Topics include air-breathing propulsion systems, engine concepts, shared engine/aircraft thermal management, and advanced M&S. Deliverables may include Contract Data Requirements Lists (CDRLs) such as status reports, scientific and technical reports, and final reports. Specific software and hardware deliverables will be identified in individual calls.

• Contract Type: The Air Force reserves the right to award the instrument best suited to the research, including contracts, purchase orders, grants, or cooperative agreements.

• Period of Performance: Each award is anticipated to be between 6 to 60 months.

• Estimated Value: Individual awards are not anticipated to exceed $100M per contract. There is no pre-defined minimum or maximum. Anticipated funding includes future year funding.

• White Papers: Must be submitted in PDF format, limited to five pages, and include the program title, technology area, company information, period of performance, task objectives, technical summary, proposed deliverables, and estimated cost (rough order of magnitude).

• Proposals: Following white paper review, selected offerors will be invited to submit full technical and cost proposals via a letter Request-for-Proposal (RFP)/solicitation/application.

• Evaluation: White papers will be reviewed based on technical approach, interest to the Government, and funding availability. Proposals will be evaluated based on criteria defined in individual calls.

• Key Deadlines: White papers can be submitted anytime during the open period. Specific due dates for proposals will be identified in individual calls.

• This is an unrestricted solicitation. Small businesses are encouraged to respond.

• Foreign persons or foreign-owned firms are precluded from proposing.

• Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) must meet specific eligibility criteria.

• Offerors must register in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• Specific security requirements, including safeguarding covered defense information, may apply.

• A capability statement repository is available for subcontracting opportunities.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a presentation providing an overview of the "Eternal Quiver" initiative by AFRL/RQRM. The initiative aims to develop advanced, agile, and resilient solid rocket motor (SRM) manufacturing capabilities, envisioned as a "Rocket Factory In-a-Box" (RFIB). The presentation outlines the vision, goals, and potential areas of interest for industry collaboration.

This presentation is relevant to potential bidders interested in contributing to the development of next-generation SRM manufacturing technology. Key areas of interest include:

• Manufacturing Technology Development: Ideas for continuous microfluidic reactions, additive manufacturing of propellant, acoustic mixing, novel propellant cure methods, Direct Filament Wind (DFW) composite case manufacturing, nozzle fabrication, and NDE/QA methods. Solutions should significantly contribute to Eternal Quiver goals, not just miniaturize legacy technology.
• Integrated Design, Analysis, and Optimization Software: Development of automated software capabilities for rapid SRM design, aiming for a 90% reduction in design time and a "Digital Test Stand" capability.
• Military Application Assessment: A study to identify potential users, beneficiaries, and transition opportunities for the Eternal Quiver capability.

The presentation also mentions a "Gen 0" proof-of-concept demo (FY20-FY23) and a "Gen 1" prototype (FY24-FY27). A supplemental package of past/ongoing work is available to qualified recipients. The overall program budget is estimated at $20M over 4 years, with a desire for an Integrated Product Team (IPT) approach involving government agencies and contractors. Contact information for the Program Manager and Motors Branch Chief is provided.