Air Dominance Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the Air Force Research Laboratory, Munitions Directorate (AFRL/RW) seeks research proposals for Air Dominance technologies. The BAA covers Applied Research (6.2), Advanced Technology Development (6.3), and Advanced Component Development & Prototypes (6.4). The total anticipated funding across all awards is $750,000,000. This is an unrestricted acquisition.

The BAA outlines 13 research areas, including:

• Modeling, Simulation, & Analysis (MS&A)
• Innovative Aircraft Integration Technologies
• Find-Fix-Target-Track (F2T2) & Datalink Technologies
• Engagement Management System Technologies
• High Velocity Fuzing
• Missile Electronics (Power & Thermal Management)
• Missile Guidance and Control Technologies
• Advanced Warhead Technologies
• Advanced Missile Propulsion Technologies
• Control Actuation Systems
• Missile Carriage and Release Technologies
• Missile Test and Evaluation Technologies
• Artificial Intelligence/Autonomy (for weapon systems)

Deliverables will be determined per award but may include Final Reports, Funds and Man-hour Reports, Status Reports, and potentially Hardware.

• Awards may be made as Contracts (various types including CPFF, FFP, Cost), Other Transactions (OT) for Prototype or Research, or Grants/Cooperative Agreements.
• Anticipated cumulative funding: $750,000,000.
• Period of Performance: BAA open for 5 years from posting date or until amended/superseded.

This is a two-step BAA. Initially, only white papers are solicited. White papers are limited to 5 pages and must include specific sections (Title, Research Area, BAA #, PoP, Cost ROM, POCs, Task Objective, Technical Summary/Deliverables, Estimated Cost).

• White papers will be evaluated on technical merit, feasibility, and contribution to AFRL/RW's goals, and ROM/schedule.

• Favorable white papers may lead to an invitation to submit a full proposal.

• Full proposals will be evaluated on technical approach, understanding of scope, technical risks, transition potential, and cost realism.

• White Paper Due Date: Not specified, but the BAA remains open.

• Unrestricted solicitation; small businesses are encouraged.

• Foreign-owned firms are subject to disclosure review.

• FFRDCs may propose if specific conditions are met.

• Security requirements may include SECRET facility clearance and safeguarding capability.

• Personnel accessing USAF bases/AFRL facilities must be U.S. Citizens.

• Offerors are strongly encouraged to consult with the technical POC for their research area prior to submission.

• Data rights are a significant concern; the Government generally expects Unlimited Rights for data developed at Government expense.

• Security Risk Reviews will be conducted for Senior/Key Personnel.

• Registration in SAM.gov is required.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the Air Force Research Laboratory, Munitions Directorate (AFRL/RW) seeks research proposals for Air Dominance technologies. The BAA covers Applied Research (6.2), Advanced Technology Development (6.3), and Advanced Component Development & Prototypes (6.4). The total anticipated funding across all awards is $750,000,000.

The BAA outlines 13 research areas focused on advancing air-launched munitions and related technologies. Key areas include:

• Modeling, Simulation, & Analysis (MS&A)

• Innovative Aircraft Integration Technologies

• Find-Fix-Target-Track (F2T2) & Datalink Technologies

• Engagement Management Systems

• High Velocity Fuzing

• Missile Electronics, Guidance, Control, Propulsion, Actuation, Carriage, and Release

• Missile Test and Evaluation

• Artificial Intelligence/Autonomy Deliverables will be determined per award but may include Final Reports, Funds and Man-hour Reports, Status Reports, Hardware, Interim Reports, and Presentation Materials.

• The BAA is open for 5 years from the posting date or until amended/superseded.

• Awards may be made as Contracts (various types) or Other Transactions (OT) for Prototype or Research, Grants, or Cooperative Agreements.

• Anticipated award type is primarily Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), but others may be negotiated.

• This is a two-step BAA. Initially, only white papers are solicited.

• White papers must be 5 pages or less, summarizing the proposed approach and deliverables.

• White papers will be evaluated based on technical merit, feasibility, and contribution to AFRL/RW's objectives, as well as ROM and schedule.

• Favorable white papers may lead to an invitation to submit a full technical and cost proposal.

• Proposal evaluation criteria include technical approach, understanding of scope, risk mitigation, transition potential, and cost realism.

• White Paper Due Date: Open period, submit at any time. Specific Calls may have separate deadlines.

• This acquisition is unrestricted. Small businesses are encouraged to propose.

• Foreign-owned firms are subject to foreign disclosure review.

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

• Offerors are strongly encouraged to consult with the technical POC for their research area prior to submission.

• Security Risk Reviews will be conducted for all proposed Senior/Key personnel.

• Data rights desired by the Government are generally Unlimited Rights for technical data and non-commercial software.

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

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Security Program Questionnaire intended to review the security programs and practices of institutions receiving research funding. It is to be completed by the Contractor/Recipient and reviewed by the S&T Protection Lead.

The questionnaire asks for detailed information regarding:

• Physical security plans
• Information security processes
• Data storage locations for the effort
• Procedures for transmission, transportation, disposal, destruction, and reproduction of information
• Safeguards for personnel accessing information
• Plans for safeguarding Government Furnished Equipment/Information (GFE/GFI)
• Cybersecurity and network protection procedures
• Operations security processes to prevent adversary access
• Insider threat deterrence, detection, and mitigation processes
• Procedures for handling information compromise
• Willingness to provide AFRL S&T Protection training annually

This questionnaire requires bidders to detail their organization's security protocols. It is crucial for understanding the security requirements and compliance obligations associated with the opportunity, particularly for efforts involving sensitive research funding or data. Bidders must be prepared to provide comprehensive answers to these security-related questions.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Privacy Act Statement for the Air Force Research Laboratory. It informs individuals about the collection, use, and disclosure of their personal information in relation to Federal grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and other research-related agreements awarded by the Department of the Air Force.

• Authority: Lists the legal statutes and executive orders authorizing the collection of information.
• Purpose: Explains that the collected information is used for processing, investigating, and maintaining records for awarded agreements and to ensure responsible parties receive awards.
• Routine Uses: Details how the information may be shared with contractors, grantees, law enforcement, and other entities for agency functions or legal compliance.
• Effect of not providing information: States that providing information is voluntary, but non-compliance with 42 U.S. Code § 6605 can lead to civil or criminal remedies, including rejection of applications.
• Acknowledgment of Consent: Includes fields for a covered individual and an authorized institutional representative to provide signatures, printed names, and dates, indicating consent.

Bidders responding to opportunities involving research and development awards from the Air Force Research Laboratory may need to complete and submit this form as part of their application or proposal to acknowledge and consent to the terms outlined in the Privacy Act Statement.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Research and Related Senior and Key Person Profile Worksheet" used for collecting information on key personnel proposed for a contract. It is designed to capture detailed profiles for a Project Director/Principal Investigator and up to five Senior/Key Persons.

• Required Items: Marked with an asterisk (*), these include First Name, Last Name, Position/Title, Organization Name, and Email Address.
• Optional Items: Middle Name, Suffix, Department, Division, Phone Number, and LinkedIn Profile.
• Project Role: Bidders must specify the role, with "PD / PI" (Project Director / Principal Investigator) pre-filled as a common option.
• Other Project Role: Allows for specification of alternative roles.

This worksheet is crucial for bidders to accurately document and submit the required biographical and professional information for their proposed key personnel as part of their proposal submission. It ensures that all necessary details are provided in the specified format.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the Standard Form 424 (SF-424), Application for Federal Assistance. It is a standardized form used by applicants to apply for federal grants and other forms of financial assistance. Bidders will need to complete this form as part of their proposal submission for opportunities requiring federal assistance applications.

• Applicant Information: Legal name, Employer/Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN/TIN), Organizational DUNS, address, and contact information.
• Submission Details: Type of submission (pre-application, application, changed/corrected), type of application (new, continuation, revision), and applicant identifier.
• Federal Agency Information: Name of the Federal Agency, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number, Funding Opportunity Number, and Competition Identification Number.
• Project Details: Proposed project start and end dates, estimated funding breakdown (Federal, Applicant, State, Local, Other, Program Income, TOTAL), and areas affected by the project.
• Certifications and Assurances: Statements and agreements the applicant must certify to, including compliance with federal debt regulations and Executive Order 12372.

This form is critical for any bidder seeking federal financial assistance. It requires detailed organizational and project information and must be completed accurately and submitted by the specified deadlines. The information provided on this form will be used by the agency to evaluate the applicant's eligibility and the proposed project's alignment with the funding opportunity.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the Air Force Research Laboratory, Munitions Directorate, seeks research proposals for Air Dominance technologies. It covers Applied Research (6.2), Advanced Technology Development (6.3), and Advanced Component Development & Prototypes (6.4). The BAA is open for five years from the posting date and operates in two parts: a basic open BAA for continuous white paper submissions and a call BAA for specific research areas announced via sam.gov and grants.gov. The estimated cumulative award amount is $750,000,000.

Research efforts will focus on translating basic research into solutions for broadly defined needs, designing state-of-the-art components and systems, and evaluating potential new operational capabilities. Specific research areas include Modeling, Simulation & Analysis (MS&A); Innovative Aircraft Integration Technologies; Find-Fix-Target-Track (F2T2) & Datalink Technologies; Engagement Management System Technologies; High Velocity Fuzing; Missile Electronics; Missile Guidance and Control Technologies; Advanced Warhead Technologies; Advanced Missile Propulsion Technologies; Control Actuation Systems; Missile Carriage and Release Technologies; Missile Test and Evaluation Technologies; and Artificial Intelligence/Autonomy.

Anticipated deliverables include Final Reports, Funds and Man-hour Reports, Status Reports (monthly for Contracts, quarterly for Assistance Instruments), Hardware (TBD), Interim Reports, and Presentation Materials.

Awards may be made as contracts (various types including CPFF, FFP, Cost Share, Cost) or Other Transactions (OT) for Prototype or Research, Grants, or Cooperative Agreements. The NAICS Code is 541715 with a size standard of 1,000 employees. Efforts may require SECRET facility clearance and safeguarding capability.

This is a two-step BAA. Initially, white papers (5 pages or less) are solicited. Offerors are encouraged to consult with technical POCs prior to submission. White papers will be evaluated based on technical merit/feasibility and alignment with research areas, and ROM/schedule. Favorable white papers may lead to an invitation to submit a full technical and cost proposal. Proposal evaluation criteria include technical approach, understanding of scope, risk mitigation, transition potential, and cost realism.

This acquisition is unrestricted. Small businesses are encouraged to propose. Foreign-owned firms are subject to foreign disclosure review. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) have specific eligibility requirements.

This BAA Update 2 (dated 10 Apr 2025) incorporates changes to S&T Protection information (Section VIII) and provisions from a Section K document (Section XI). Offerors must comply with data rights assertions (DFARS 252.227-7017) and security risk review requirements (AFRLI 61-113). Registration in SAM.gov is required. Offerors must monitor sam.gov and grants.gov for potential "Calls" for specific research areas.

Other / Unclassified

This document outlines thirteen distinct research areas related to advanced missile technologies. Each area details specific objectives and areas of interest for research and development. The overarching goal is to develop technologies that can be integrated into advanced weapon concepts to address Department of Defense needs.

• 1. Modeling, Simulation, & Analysis (MS&A): Developing and employing models for air superiority concepts, including engagement, mission, and systems-of-systems modeling, as well as virtual and constructive digital simulation. Focus on missile performance MS&A, scenario development, and visualization.

• 2. Innovative Aircraft Integration Technologies: Designing, developing, and demonstrating technologies for aircraft integration, including physical, electrical, and logical interfaces.

• 3. Find-Fix-Target-Track (F2T2) & Datalink Technologies: Developing F2T2 technologies for threat detection, warning, discrimination, and cueing. Interest in small data link terminals, conformal antennas, and datalink applications for missile swarming.

• 4. Engagement Management System Technologies: Designing, developing, and demonstrating systems to maximize aircraft survivability in contested environments by managing engagements and counter-measure responses.

• 5. High Velocity Fuzing: Designing, developing, and demonstrating high velocity fuzing, including Electronic Safe and Arm (ESAF) and Guidance Integrated Fuzing (GIF) devices for accurate range and location information.

• 6. Missile Electronics: Investigating all aspects of missile power and electronics, including power conversion, generation, storage (batteries, ultracapacitors), guidance electronics, and thermal management, with a focus on miniaturization and efficiency.

• 7. Missile Guidance and Control Technologies: Investigating robust guidance algorithms, real-time optimal lofting/energy management, integrated guidance and control, seeker technologies, target state estimators, and various control approaches.

• 8. Advanced Warhead Technologies: Investigating conventional and conceptual munitions warhead technology for destruction, damage, defeat, or denial of targets. Focus on robust, affordable, and insensitive munitions, including advanced energetic materials, additive manufacturing, and miniaturized fuzing.

• 9. Advanced Missile Propulsion Technologies: Investigating propellant formulations, grain structures, nozzle technologies (pintle, aerospike), ignition safety devices, and scalable technologies for compact air-to-air missile systems.

• 10. Control Actuation Systems: Investigating advanced missile flight control systems, including miniaturized actuators, high-speed actuation, articulating radomes, folding fin concepts, and advanced airframe control.

• 11. Missile Carriage and Release Technologies: Investigating high-density carriage concepts for weapon bays, including innovative carriage and ejection technologies for small and mixed missile loads, high data rate communications, and aircraft-to-weapon connectors.

• 12. Missile Test and Evaluation Technologies: Investigating all aspects of Air-to-Air missile test and evaluation (T&E), including miniaturizing existing technologies and exploring advanced methods for testing and data collection.

• 13. Artificial Intelligence/Autonomy and Machine Learning: Designing, developing, and demonstrating AI and ML capabilities for networked collaborative and autonomous weapon systems, focusing on target reconciliation in dynamic battlespaces.

• Marshall Foley (AFRL/RWI)

• Sheli Plenge (AFRL/RWIA)

This document outlines broad research and development areas. Potential bidders interested in contributing to advanced missile technologies, particularly in the areas of modeling, simulation, AI, guidance, propulsion, warheads, and testing, should review these research areas to identify potential alignment with their capabilities and interests.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Security Program Questionnaire" used to review the security program and practices of institutions receiving research funding. It is intended to be completed by a Contractor/Recipient and reviewed by the S&T Protection Lead.

The questionnaire includes 13 questions covering:

• Physical security plans
• Information security processes
• Information storage locations
• Procedures for transmission, transportation, disposal, destruction, and reproduction of information
• Safeguards for personnel accessing information
• Plans for safeguarding Government Furnished Equipment/Information (GFE/GFI)
• Cybersecurity and network protection procedures
• Operations security to prevent adversary access and project compromise
• Processes to deter, detect, and mitigate insider threats
• Procedures for handling information compromise
• Willingness to provide AFRL S&T Protection training annually

It also includes fields for Applicant Name, Cage Code/SCL, and Position/Title, as well as a section for additional comments.

Bidders may be required to complete and submit this questionnaire as part of the proposal process to demonstrate their understanding and capability in safeguarding sensitive information and research. It helps assess the security posture of potential awardees.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a placeholder indicating that the PDF requires Adobe Reader 8 or higher for proper viewing. It provides a link for users to install Adobe Reader or configure their viewing environment if they encounter issues.

• Requirement for Adobe Reader 8 or higher.
• Instructions and a URL for installing Adobe Reader and configuring the viewing environment.

This document does not contain specific requirements, deliverables, or submission details for the opportunity. It serves as a technical note for accessing other potential attachments. Bidders should ensure they have the necessary software to view all provided documents.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, Section K, contains various representations and certifications required from offerors responding to the solicitation. It outlines specific clauses that bidders must acknowledge and provide information for.

• 52.204-05: Women-Owned Business (Other Than Small Business) Representation (Oct 2014)
• 52.204-07: System for Award Management (Oct 2018)
• 52.204-08: Annual Representations and Certifications (Feb 2024)
• 52.204-16: Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (Aug 2020)
• 52.204-17: Ownership or Control of Offeror (Aug 2020)
• 52.204-18: Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (Aug 2020)
• 52.204-22: Alternative Line-Item Proposal (Jan 2017)
• 52.204-24: Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (Nov 2021)
• 52.204-26: Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services Representation (Oct 2020)
• 52.204-27: Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application (Jun 2023)
• 252.203-7005: Representation Relating to Compensation of Former DoD Officials (Sep 2022)
• 252.204-7007: Alternate A, Annual Representations and Certifications (Nov 2023)
• 252.204-7008: Compliance with Safeguarding Covered Defense Information Controls (Oct 2016)
• 252.204-7016: Covered Defense Telecommunications Equipment or Services Representation (Dec 2019)
• 252.204-7017: Prohibition on the Acquisition of Covered Defense Telecommunications Equipment or Services Representation (May 2021)
• 252.204-7019: Notice of NIST SP 800-171 DoD Assessment Requirements (Nov 2023)
• 252.204-7024: Notice on the Use of the Supplier Performance Risk System (Mar 2023)
• 252.225-7010: Commercial Derivative Military Article—Specialty Metals Compliance Certificate (Jul 2009)
• 252.227-7017: Identification and Assertion of Use, Release, or Disclosure Restrictions (Jan 2023)

Bidders must carefully review each listed representation and certification to ensure they can comply and provide the necessary information as part of their proposal submission. Failure to address these requirements may impact the evaluation or award of the contract.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the "RESEARCH & RELATED PERSONAL DATA" form, OMB Number 4040-0001, with an expiration date of 11/30/2025. It is used to collect demographic information (gender, race, ethnicity, disability status, and citizenship) for Project Directors/Principal Investigators and Co-Project Directors/Co-Principal Investigators. The Federal Government uses this information to monitor its review and award processes for potential inequities. Submission is voluntary and not a precondition of award, but it is important for statistical validity.

• Fields for Prefix, First Name, Middle Name, Last Name, and Suffix.
• Checkboxes for Gender (though not explicitly listed, implied by the form's purpose).
• Checkboxes for Race (American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, White, Do Not Wish to Provide).
• A field for Ethnicity.
• Checkboxes for Disability Status (Hearing, Visual, Mobility/Orthopedic Impairment, Other, None, Do Not Wish to Provide).
• A field for Citizenship.

Bidders must complete this form for their proposed Project Director/Principal Investigator and any Co-Project Directors/Co-Principal Investigators. While submission is voluntary, it is crucial for the government's monitoring purposes. The form will be separated from the application upon receipt and will be kept confidential, not being duplicated or made part of the review process.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the Air Force Research Laboratory, Munitions Directorate (AFRL/RW) seeks research proposals for Air Dominance technologies. The BAA covers Applied Research (6.2), Advanced Technology Development (6.3), and Advanced Component Development & Prototypes (6.4). The goal is to translate basic research into solutions for broadly defined needs, develop state-of-the-art components and systems, and evaluate potential for new operational capabilities.

• Research efforts will focus on areas of interest to AFRL/RW, including conventional munitions technology development.

• Specific research areas include:

  • Modeling, Simulation, & Analysis (MS&A)
  • Innovative Aircraft Integration Technologies
  • Find-Fix-Target-Track (F2T2) & Datalink Technologies
  • Engagement Management System Technologies
  • High Velocity Fuzing
  • Missile Electronics
  • Missile Guidance and Control Technologies
  • Advanced Warhead Technologies
  • Advanced Missile Propulsion Technologies
  • Control Actuation Systems
  • Missile Carriage and Release Technologies
  • Missile Test and Evaluation Technologies
  • Artificial Intelligence/Autonomy

• Deliverables will be determined per award but may include Final Reports, Funds and Man-hour Reports, Status Reports, Hardware, Interim Reports, and Presentation Materials.

• The BAA is open for 5 years from the posting date or until amended/superseded.

• Anticipated cumulative amount for awards is $750,000,000.

• Awards may be made as contracts (e.g., Cost Plus Fixed Fee), Other Transactions (OT), Grants, or Cooperative Agreements.

• This is a two-step open BAA. Initially, only white papers will be accepted.

• White papers are due at any time during the open period and should be submitted via email to afrl.rwk.baaworkflow@us.af.mil.

• White papers must be 5 pages or less.

• Offerors whose white papers are favorably evaluated may be invited to submit a technical and cost proposal.

• Proposals will be evaluated without discussions unless deemed necessary.

• Key deadlines: White papers may be submitted at any time. Specific due dates for proposals will be issued via Calls.

• This is an unrestricted solicitation.

• Small businesses are encouraged to propose on all or any part of this solicitation.

• Foreign-owned firms are advised to contact the contracting office.

• Offerors are encouraged to consult with the technical Point of Contact (POC) for the research area before submitting a white paper.

• Data rights are anticipated to be delivered with unlimited rights, but may be negotiated.

• SECRET facility clearance and safeguarding capability may be required.

• Technical POCs are listed for each research area.