C2 Cross Functional Team (CFT) Broad Agency Announcement

Quick Summary

The U.S. Army Futures Command (AFC), C2 Cross-Functional Team (C2-CFT) has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA-25-R-C2CFT) seeking research and development proposals for Command and Control (C2) capabilities to modernize the Army's tactical network. This BAA is open for five years, through March 23, 2030, and utilizes a two-phase process: White Paper (WP) submission followed by invited proposals. Specific timelines for White Paper submissions and technological demonstrations for Topic Areas 1, 2, and 3 are pending and will be updated by January 15, 2026.

Scope of Work

The BAA focuses on advancing the state-of-the-art in four key research areas, requiring technologies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 or higher:

• N2101: Unified Network: Seeking a Waveform Agnostic, Software Defined Bridging Solution to enhance interoperability across disparate networks and waveforms. Requires a low SWaP, soldier-worn prototype for seamless digital/analog voice and IP data bridging.
• N2102: Common Operating Environment: Seeking Operational Modeling Capabilities/Tools for the Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) environment to optimize decision-making, including adaptive planning, real-time monitoring, AI-enabled decision support, and model observability.
• N2103: Joint Interoperability/Coalition Accessible: (Details not explicitly provided in CfWPs, but part of the overarching BAA).
• N2104: Command Post Mobility/Survivability: Seeking innovative solutions for mounted and dismounted radio frequency units (MDRFU) to improve Command Post (CP) and On-the-Move (OTM) communication systems. Requires a low-profile, multi-band, agile, modular, and scalable antenna system with integrated High-Power Amplifier (HPA) functionality.

Contract & Timeline

• Contract Type: Various instruments may be awarded, including FAR-based contracts, Other Transactions (OT) for Prototype, cooperative agreements, or OT for Research.
• Period of Performance: Typically includes a base period of up to 12 months (for design/build/prototype) and an option period of up to 12 months (for training/experimentation), subject to funding.
• BAA Open Period: Through March 23, 2030.
• White Paper Submission: Required for eligibility. Submissions are made via the Joint Communications Marketplace (JCM) site. WPs are generally limited to eight (8) pages.
• Key Deadlines:
  • Topic Areas 1, 2, & 3: Updated timeline for White Paper submissions and technological demonstrations will be provided on SAM.gov no later than January 15, 2026.
  • Technological Demonstrations: By invitation only, following WP evaluation.
  • Proposal Submission: By invitation only, after successful WP evaluation and/or technological demonstration.

Evaluation Criteria

White Papers are evaluated in a two-part process:

1. Go/No-Go Criteria: Compliance with Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost, Technology Readiness Level (TRL 6+), Schedule (not-to-exceed 24 months total), and all submission requirements.
2. Evaluation Factors (Descending Order of Importance): Importance to Agency Programs (Relevance/Impact), Technical Merit/Challenge (Innovation, Feasibility, Risk Mitigation, Maturity), and Schedule (Reasonableness).

Eligibility & Notes

The BAA encourages participation from industry, educational institutions, small businesses, and small disadvantaged business concerns. Offerors must submit a White Paper to be eligible for award; proposals submitted without a prior WP will not be considered. The Government reserves the right to skip the technological demonstration step and proceed directly to proposal requests. This BAA is an expression of interest and does not guarantee an award or cover proposal preparation costs.