AFRL/RX Structural Materials Open BAA

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is an Attachment 1 to a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for RXC Structural Materials. It solicits white papers and potentially technical and cost proposals to support the Air Force Research Laboratory's Structural Materials and Applications mission. The focus is on materials and scientific discovery through technology development and transition for Air Force applications.

The Directorate's research interests are presented in two contexts:

• Structural Materials Competency Needs:

  • Ceramics and Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs): Development of advanced high-temperature constituents, understanding CMC behavior, maturing composite classes, and developing new materials, processes, coatings, characterization, and modeling for air and space applications (e.g., turbine engines, hypersonic vehicles).
  • Polymer Matrix Composites (PMC): Conceptualization, development, manufacturing, and sustainment of PMCs for propulsion and structural applications, focusing on lighter weight, higher temperature capabilities, affordability, sustainability, and survivability (e.g., against directed energy threats). Includes computational tools, novel processing methods, and integration of multifunctional materials.
  • Composite Performance Prediction: Developing computational and empirical methods to predict composite behavior in extreme environments, including physics-based simulation tools for damage evolution and multi-scale analysis.
  • Metallic Materials and Processes: Developing advanced metallic materials for higher operating temperatures, higher stresses, and aggressive environments for propulsion, space, and hypersonics. Focus on thin structural gauges, advanced heat-exchangers, and thermal protection systems.
  • Characterization, Sensing, and Analytics: Developing material and damage characterization technologies (NDE/I) for aircraft structures, turbine engines, and low observables. Focus on next-generation sensing for Condition-based Maintenance plus Prognosis (CBM+).
  • Integrated Computational Materials Science and Engineering (ICMSE): Digitally integrating experiments and modeling to optimize material and component design, reducing cost and risk for incorporating new materials.

• Air Force Application Needs:

  • Propulsion: Materials for higher operating efficiencies, temperatures, and reduced weight.
  • Space: Lightweight, load-bearing structures for launch and space vehicle propulsion systems.
  • Hypersonics and Thermal Protection: Robust, reproducible, and affordable materials for extreme temperatures.
  • Munitions: New materials and processes for structural design in conventional and hypersonic regimes, focusing on penetrating capability, fragmentation, and weight reduction.
  • Advanced Material Characterization: Tools and methodologies for microstructure and properties characterization.
  • Sustainment: Technologies for inspecting aging structures and airframe sustainment.
  • Airframe: Hardened and Multifunctional Structures, including Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics (UHTCs) and electromagnetic protection materials.

Not specified in this attachment.

This document solicits white papers and potentially technical and cost proposals. Specific submission instructions and evaluation criteria are not detailed in this attachment.

Not specified in this attachment.

This document also outlines Operations Security (OPSEC) requirements and mentions the potential need for a Program Protection Plan (PPP).

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials & Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL/RXC) solicits white papers for research and development efforts in structural materials technologies. The goal is to support the Structural Materials and Applications mission, covering areas from scientific discovery through technology development and transition.

• Research efforts are of interest, ranging from materials and scientific discovery to technology development and transition.

• Deliverables include Data Items (CDRLs), Software, Hardware, and Other items, to be determined on an award-by-award basis.

• Potential for within-scope modifications to awards.

• Export control regulations may apply; contractors must be registered with DLSC and submit DD Form 2345 if applicable.

• The Air Force reserves the right to award various contract types, including FAR or Other Transaction (OT) for Prototype, grant, cooperative agreement, or OT for Research. Technology transfer mechanisms may also be considered.

• Anticipated contract types include Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF), Firm-Fixed-Price (FPP), Cost Reimbursement (no fee), or Cost Share.

• Estimated Program Cost: $99,500,000.00 total, with individual awards ranging from $100,000 to $5,000,000.

• Each award is anticipated to be between 12 to 60 months in duration.

• Two-Step Process:

  • Step 1 (White Paper): Due by September 20, 2023. Must include a quad chart and Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost. White papers are limited to 4 pages plus 1 for the quad chart.
  • Step 2 (Proposal): Invited offerors will submit technical and cost proposals within 60 working days of request.

• Review Criteria: White papers will be reviewed for technical approach, research interest, and funding availability. Proposals will be reviewed based on technical merit (first priority) and cost/price (second priority).

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

• Cost sharing is not required but may be dependent on individual awards.

• Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) may participate under specific conditions.

• Foreign participation is not authorized, though foreign nationals may be hired with approval for Public Domain information only.

• Annual updates to this BAA will occur at yearly intervals.

• Dialogue between offerors and the Government is encouraged until proposal submission.

• Contact Ms. Adrianna Menker for contracting questions and Mr. Patrick Carlin for technical questions.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides supplemental instructions for submitting assistance instrument proposals, specifically detailing the required forms and the process for electronic submission via Grants.gov.

• SF 424 (R&R) Forms: Mandates the use of SF 424 (R&R) as the cover page, along with SF 424 Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) and SF 424 Research & Related Personal Data forms. These forms collect demographic and career information for statistical purposes, which is voluntary for senior/key personnel.
• Certifications: Requires applicants to review and agree to terms in the Certifications by checking Block 18 of the SF 424 (R&R) and signing.
• Grants.gov Registration: Outlines a multi-step process for registering on Grants.gov, including obtaining a DUNS number, registering with SAM, creating a Grants.gov account, authorizing roles (AOR), and tracking role status. The registration process can take up to four weeks.
• Submission Process: Details how to submit applications through Grants.gov Workspace, including creating a workspace, completing forms (SF-424 first), and submitting. It recommends submitting 24-48 hours before the deadline.
• Timely Receipt: Emphasizes that applications must be received by the due date, with Grants.gov providing an electronic timestamp as proof of submission. Late applications will not be considered.

This attachment is crucial for bidders intending to submit proposals for assistance instruments. It provides essential procedural information regarding required forms, registration steps for Grants.gov, and the submission process, including critical deadlines and requirements for successful application submission.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document appears to be a template or form for outlining a project proposal related to an "Intended Structural Materials Competency Need" for the Air Force. It is intended to guide bidders in providing specific information about their proposed project.

• Project Title: Placeholder for the project's name.
• Objective: Space to briefly state the project's objective.
• Description of Effort: Area to describe the scope of work.
• Program/ Technical Approach: Section for outlining the technical approach.
• Challenges: To list any anticipated challenges.
• Benefits of Proposed Technology: To describe commercial and military benefits, and if it fills a capability gap.
• List of Related Accomplishments/Research Efforts/Contracts: To list relevant past efforts or experience.
• Major Goals/Milestones: To list proposed goals for each fiscal year.
• Cost by FY: A table to break down costs by fiscal year (Years 1-5) and a total.
• Contact Information: Fields for PI Name, Address, and Phone/Email.

This form provides a structured format for bidders to present their proposals for the "Intended Structural Materials Competency Need." It outlines the specific information the government is seeking, including project objectives, scope, technical approach, challenges, benefits, past performance, milestones, and cost estimates. Completing this form accurately and thoroughly will be crucial for a bidder's proposal submission.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Notice of Contract Action (NOCA) announces an anticipated requirement for the Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials & Manufacturing Directorate, Structural Materials Division (AFRL/RXC) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. An Open Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is anticipated to be published mid-August 2018, requesting white papers for research in Structural Materials technologies, ranging from materials and scientific discovery through technology development and transition.

• Solicitation of white papers and potentially technical and cost proposals.

• Research focus on Structural Materials technologies.

• Anticipated Contract Type: Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) is generally anticipated.

• Anticipated Funding: $99,500,000.00 total program.

• Place of Contract Performance: To Be Determined (TBD).

• This announcement explicitly states that it is NOT a request for white papers or proposals and that any submitted will be disregarded.

• Set Aside: None.

• The anticipated funding is an estimate and not a promise of funding; it is subject to change.

• Technical POC: Frank Feldmann

• Contracting POC: Adrianna Menker