EXTREME COMPUTING

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (Amendment 8) republishes the original Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA8750-23-S-7004, "Extreme Computing," incorporating previous amendments. Key changes include:

• Updates to Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) guidance.
• Correction of a provision date.
• Correction of numbering and paragraph language in Section V.2.b.2.e.
• Updates to thresholds in Section V.4.
• Modifications to proposal formatting language in Section VI.1.
• Updates to provisions in Section VI.7.
• Addition of paragraph 10 to Section VI.
• Deletion of paragraph 12 from Section VI.
• Updates to the Ombudsman contact information in Section VII.

Sections III.2.b.2, IV.4.b, V.2.b.2.e, V.4, VI.1, VI.7, VI (addition/deletion of paragraphs), and VII.

No changes to proposal deadlines or submission requirements are indicated beyond the general updates to formatting language. Offerors should ensure they are using the latest versions of referenced documents for proposal preparation.

Amendment / Modification

This modification updates the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA8750-23-S-7004 to include NAICS CODE 541713 in addition to the existing 541715. This new NAICS code is expected to apply to Technical Area 2 and Technical Area 3 due to their alignment with Nanotechnology research.

• Page 1: NAICS CODE updated to include 541715 and 541713.

No changes to proposal submission deadlines, requirements, or evaluation factors are indicated by this amendment. Offerors should note the updated NAICS codes when preparing their submissions, particularly for Technical Areas 2 and 3.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment updates the solicitation FA8750-23-S-7004 by modifying two sections:

• Section III, Paragraph 5 (S&T Protection): Updates language related to Science and Technology (S&T) Protection.

• Section V, Paragraph 2.e (S&T Review): Updates language concerning the S&T review process.

• Section III: Specifically, Paragraph 5 regarding S&T Protection has been updated. This includes details on the Security Risk Review process for proposals, requirements for Senior/Key personnel and "Covered Individuals," and the documentation needed (SF 424, Security Program Questionnaire, Privacy Act Statement). It also clarifies actions required by applicants/recipients during the period of performance, including annual re-submission of profiles and notification requirements for foreign government talent programs or foreign components.

• Section V: Paragraph 2.e, concerning the Review and Selection Process, has been updated. This amendment clarifies that in parallel with the technical evaluation, the Government will review the SF424, Senior and Key Person Profile Worksheet, Security Program Questionnaire, and Privacy Act Statement to satisfy S&T Protection requirements. It reiterates that if a security risk is identified above the acceptable threshold, the Offeror will be notified of the declination of award.

Bidders must ensure they are using the latest versions of the referenced appendices and proposal preparation instructions. The updated S&T Protection and review process language may impact the documentation required for proposal submission and the evaluation criteria related to security risks. Applicants/Recipients must adhere to the clarified disclosure requirements for Senior/Key Personnel and Covered Individuals.

Amendment / Modification

This document is Amendment No. 3, which republishes the original announcement for BAA FA8750-23-S-7004, incorporating previous amendments. Key changes include:

• Part I, Overview Information: Updated language regarding the types of instruments that may be awarded.
• Part II, Full Text Announcement:
  • Updated the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) reference to Assistance Listing number.
  • Section I: Updated the description for Technical Area 3.
  • Section IV.2: Updated content and format language for submissions.
  • Section IV.3: Updated Information Protection contact information.
  • Section IV.4.c: Updated a CFR hyperlink.
  • Section IV.4.e: Added new language.
  • Section VI.1: Updated proposal formatting language.
  • Section VI.3: Updated debriefing language.
  • Section VII: Updated the OMBUDSMAN contact information.

Parts I, II (Sections I, IV.2, IV.3, IV.4.c, IV.4.e, VI.1, VI.3, VII) of the original announcement have been affected.

Proposal formatting language in Section VI.1 has been updated. Offerors should refer to the latest versions of the AFRL "Broad Agency Announcement (BAA): Guide for Industry" and RI-Specific Proposal Preparation Instructions for current formatting requirements.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (No. 1) to BAA FA8750-23-S-7004 updates the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) for Technical Area 1. The previous TPOC, Dr. Ryan Luley, has been replaced by Dr. Nathan Inkawhich.

• Part II, Section I: Technology Requirements (specifically for Technical Area 1)
• Part II, Section VII: Agency Contacts (specifically for Technical Area 1 TPOC)

No changes to proposal deadlines, submission requirements, or evaluation factors are indicated by this amendment. Bidders should ensure they use the updated contact information for Technical Area 1 inquiries.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the Department of the Air Force, AFRL, solicits white papers for research, development, integration, test, and evaluation of technologies in extreme computing. The focus areas include computational diversity, efficient computing architectures, machine learning and AI in embedded systems, edge computing, nanocomputing, space computing, and robust algorithms. The goal is to advance capabilities for Air Force and Space Force platforms.

The BAA outlines four technical areas:

• Advancing Computing Technology and Applications: Enhancing computational capabilities for C4ISR and SWaP-constrained platforms, including high-performance embedded computing, secure ML/AI, and novel architectures.

• Nano-Computing: Exploring emerging nanoelectronics for bio-inspired computing architectures with ultra-low power consumption.

• Neuromorphic Computing and Applying Machine Learning: Developing energy-efficient, adaptable, and resilient intelligent systems, with emphasis on hardware, embedded deep learning, and trusted AI.

• Robust and Efficient Computing Architectures, Algorithms and Applications: Achieving significant improvements in size, weight, and power for embedded AI/ML in ground, air, and space domains.

• BAA Number: FA8750-23-S-7004

• Estimated Funding: Approximately $497.9M total.

• Individual Awards: Typically $1M to $3M, not normally exceeding 36 months, with potential for awards up to $99.9M.

• Award Instruments: FAR-based Procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or Other Transactions (OTs).

• Potential Follow-on: Successful prototype projects under OTs may transition to follow-on production contracts.

• Type: Open, Two-Step BAA. White papers are the initial submission (Step 1).

• Submission Deadline: White papers accepted until September 20, 2028. Suggested submission dates align with FY funding (e.g., FY24 by Oct 4, 2023).

• White Paper Format: 3-5 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font. Includes Title, Period of Performance, Estimated Cost, Company Info, POCs, Task Objective, Technical Summary, and Proposed Deliverables.

• Evaluation Criteria: Scientific and Technical Merit, Related Experience, Openness/Maturity/Assurance of Solution, and Reasonableness/Realism of Costs.

• Process: White papers are reviewed; selected offerors will be invited to submit full proposals.

• Eligibility: All qualified offerors. Closed to foreign participation, with exceptions for fundamental research. Specific requirements for FFRDCs and Government entities.

• OCI: Offerors must disclose and mitigate Organizational Conflicts of Interest.

• S&T Protection: Requires submission of SF 424 and Security Program Questionnaire.

• Offerors must be registered in SAM.gov.

• Specific requirements for fundamental research, cloud computing, human use, and data rights apply.

• Contact information for technical and contracting points of contact is provided.