AWGER: ADAPTIVE WAVEFORM GENERATION FOR EXTREME RF

Quick Summary

The Department of the Air Force, AFRL - Rome Research Site, has issued an Open, Two-Step Broad Agency Announcement (BAA FA8750-22-S-7006) titled "AWGER: Adaptive Waveform Generation for Extreme RF." This BAA seeks innovative research in cognitive waveform generation and network control and analysis within a unified scenario evaluation environment. White papers are accepted as initial submissions, with formal proposals by invitation only. The BAA is open until September 30, 2027.

Scope of Work

The Air Force is looking for research, development, integration, test, and evaluation of technologies related to:

• Cognitive Waveform Generation: Utilizing machine learning, adapting to dynamic RF environments, and ensuring resilience against attacks.
• Network Control and Analysis: Focusing on throughput, coordination, simulation, and evaluation within complex network scenarios.
• Unified Scenario Evaluation Environment: Development of integrated platforms for comprehensive assessment.
• Demonstrations: Including over-the-air and integrated demonstrations of waveform generation and network control capabilities.

Contract & Timeline

• Type: Open, Two-Step BAA (FA8750-22-S-7006)
• Total Estimated Funding: Approximately $49.9 million.
• Individual Awards: Typically up to 36 months, ranging from $300,000 to $3 million. Awards can exceed this range up to the BAA ceiling.
• Award Types: Procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or Other Transactions (OTs) under 10 USC 4002, 4003, and 4004. Multiple awards are anticipated.
• Submission Process: White papers (3-5 pages) are required as initial submissions. Formal proposals are by invitation only.
• Final White Paper Deadline: September 30, 2027, by 5:00 PM EST. Suggested submission dates for FY funding alignment are provided, but white papers will be considered until the final deadline.

Eligibility & Set-Aside

• Set-Aside: None specified; open to all qualified offerors.
• Foreign Participation: Generally closed, with exceptions for fundamental research and approved FOCI mitigation plans.
• FFRDCs/Government Entities: May propose if work is not available from the private sector and specific eligibility criteria are met.
• Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI): Offerors must identify and disclose potential OCIs and provide mitigation plans.

Evaluation & Submission Requirements

• White Paper Evaluation: Based on Scientific and Technical Merit, Related Experience, Openness/Maturity/Assurance of Solution, and Reasonableness/Realism of Costs.
• Gold Standard Science (GSS): Per Executive Order 14303, proposals for assistance instruments must commit to GSS principles (reproducible, transparent, collaborative, skeptical, falsifiable, peer-reviewed, etc.). This includes clear benchmarks and GSS implementation details.
• Security Risk Review: All proposals are subject to a Security Risk Review. Offerors must provide a Senior/Key Person Profile and Security Program Questionnaire, and disclose current/pending research support. A security risk exceeding acceptable thresholds may lead to award declination.
• Pre-Proposal Communication: Dialogue with government representatives is encouraged, but only Contracting Officers can commit the Government.
• Compliance: Offerors must monitor SAM.gov for amendments and ensure strict adherence to proposal preparation and submittal instructions.

Contacts

• Technical Questions: Gerard Wohlrab (gerard.wohlrab@us.af.mil, 315-330-4663)
• Contractual/Business Questions: Amber Buckley (Amber.Buckley@us.af.mil, 315-330-3605)