Automated Processes for Knowledge Discovery and Information Retrieval

Quick Summary

The Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL - Rome Research Site has issued an Open, 2-Step Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA8750-24-S-7006 titled "Automated Processes for Knowledge Discovery and Information Retrieval." This BAA seeks innovative research to develop, demonstrate, integrate, test, evaluate, and deliver technologies that process and exploit multi-source, multi-domain classified, open source, and non-traditional data. The goal is to improve Battlespace Awareness, derive decision-quality information, and automate analysis/decision processes. The BAA is open until September 9, 2029, with white papers accepted as initial submissions and formal proposals by invitation only. Total estimated funding is approximately $99M, with individual awards typically ranging from $3M to $35M over 48 months.

Scope of Work

The Air Force is looking for solutions that can:

• Process and exploit diverse data sources (classified, open-source, non-traditional) across multiple domains.
• Enhance Battlespace Awareness and automate analysis/decision-making.
• Discover and analyze emerging activities in ground, air, maritime, space, and cyberspace.
• Reduce the time required for data search and correlation.
• Develop algorithms for learning normal behavior, detecting deviations, and anticipating future events.
• Create methods for identifying knowledge gaps and recommending collection tasking.
• Enable continuous incremental learning for evolving situations.

Contract & Timeline

• BAA Number: FA8750-24-S-7006
• NAICS Code: 541715 (National Defense R&D Services; Military; Applied Research)
• Estimated Funding: Approximately $99M total. Individual awards typically $3M-$35M for up to 48 months.
• Award Instruments: Procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or Other Transactions (OTs). Successful prototype OTs may transition to follow-on production contracts.
• Set-Aside: Open to all qualified offerors. However, it is closed to foreign participation unless the work is unclassified fundamental research and specific conditions are met.
• White Paper Submission Deadlines (Suggested for FY funding alignment):
  • FY25: by November 30, 2024
  • FY26: by November 30, 2025
  • FY27: by November 30, 2026
  • FY28: by November 30, 2027
  • FY29: by November 30, 2028
• Final White Paper Deadline: September 9, 2029, 5 PM EST.
• Published Date: December 12, 2025.

Submission & Evaluation

This is a Two-Step BAA where only white papers are accepted initially; formal proposals are by invitation. White papers should be 3-5 pages. Evaluation criteria include Scientific/Technical Merit, Related Experience, Openness/Maturity/Assurance of Solution, and Reasonableness/Realism of Costs. Offerors will be notified of white paper evaluation results within 45 days. Pre-proposal communication with government representatives is encouraged. S&T Protection requires a Security Risk Review prior to award, necessitating specific documentation for "Covered Individuals" including a Senior/Key Person Profile, Security Program Questionnaire, and Privacy Act Statement. Annual re-submission and notification of foreign government talent programs are required. For FAR-based awards, proposals must include financial resource information per DFARS 232.072-2(b), and offerors must search SAM.gov for applicable Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act (FASCSA) Orders.

Contact Information

• Technical Questions: Carolyn Sheaff or Peter Rocci at AFRL.RIEDBAA.2024@us.af.mil.
• Contractual/Business Questions: Amber Buckley at Amber.Buckley@us.af.mil.