Foundational Technologies Directorate (RE) Multiple Authority Announcement (MAA)

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is an initial Multiple Authority Announcement (MAA) from the Air Force Research Laboratory, Foundational Technologies Directorate (AFRL/RE). It serves as an overarching announcement under which individual solicitations will be released for foundational technologies. These solicitations may be issued as Calls for Proposals or Open Periods, using either a One- or Two-Step format. The MAA aims to consolidate various solicitation authorities to facilitate the progression from basic research to technology maturation and transition.

Individual solicitations will detail specific Air Force Objectives. The MAA covers several technical areas, including:

• Photonic, Electronic, & Soft Materials: For advanced battlespace awareness, sensing, electromagnetic spectral dominance, and contested logistics.

• Manufacturing and Industrial Technologies: Supporting the defense industrial base, manufacturing processes, and energy assurance.

• Composite, Ceramic, Metallic, and Materials Performance: Research and development for materials and systems solutions.

• Integration and Operations: Facilitating innovation, compliance, collaboration, and secure cyber systems.

• Energy: Developments for next-generation systems addressing aerospace efficiencies, digital engineering, power systems, and mission resilience.

• Contract Type/Instrument: Awards may be made via RFO-based contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, commercial contracts, Other Transactions for Research (OTR), Other Transaction for Prototype (OTP), Procurement for Experimental Purposes, or Technology Investment Agreements. Awards are anticipated to be Cost Plus Fixed Fee. Potential for follow-on production contracts or transactions without competitive procedures exists.

• Estimated Program Cost: TBD per individual solicitation.

• Anticipated Number of Awards: TBD per individual solicitation.

• Anticipated Award Date: TBD per individual solicitation.

• White Paper/Proposal Due Date: NO PROPOSALS ARE REQUESTED AT THIS TIME. Individual solicitations will specify due dates and times.

• Communication: Plans may include industry days, RFIs, and conference engagements. Technical questions go to a TBD POC per solicitation; contracting questions go to a TBD POC per solicitation.

• Review: White Paper/Proposal Review Information is detailed in RE MAA Industry Guide Chapter 5.

• Eligible Offeror: Solicitations are anticipated to be unrestricted, with small businesses encouraged to propose.

• NAICS Code: 541715 (Research and Technology in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) with a small business size standard of 1,500 employees.

• Foreign Participation: Foreign-owned firms must notify the Contracting Officer; restrictions may apply.

• FFRDCs: Specific guidance applies regarding competition and agency determination.

• Attachments: RE MAA Industry Guide is referenced for additional details.

• Security: Program Security Classification, TEMPEST, OPSEC, S&T Protection, and Export Control requirements will be specified per solicitation. A DD Form 2345 may be required for export-controlled efforts.

• Modifications: Awards may be modified during performance for within-scope changes.

Other / Unclassified

This document is the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Foundational Technologies Directorate (RE) Industry Guide for their Multiple Authority Announcement (MAA). It consolidates various solicitation authorities under a single announcement to facilitate progression from basic research to technology maturation and transition. The guide outlines the MAA overview, how to use the guide, solicitation authority limitations, and strategies for maximizing competition. It details different solicitation variations (Call for Proposal, Open Period) and formats (One-Step, Two-Step), along with general solicitation processes, proposal preparation instructions, review and selection procedures, and additional requirements for RFO-based and assistance instruments.

This guide is crucial for potential bidders interested in AFRL/RE opportunities. It provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the MAA acquisition approach, including:

• Solicitation Types: Explains Calls for Proposal and Open Periods, and One-Step vs. Two-Step processes.
• Proposal Preparation: Details requirements for white papers and full proposals, including formatting, content, and submission instructions.
• Evaluation Criteria: Outlines how white papers and proposals will be reviewed and selected.
• Authorities: Clarifies the various solicitation authorities that may be used (e.g., BAA, Other Transactions).
• Data Rights: Specifies anticipated government data rights.
• Submission Process: Guides bidders on how to find and respond to solicitations posted on SAM.gov and Grants.gov.

Bidders should familiarize themselves with this guide as it supplements information in individual solicitations, with the solicitation taking precedence in case of conflict.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is an overarching Multiple Authority Announcement (MAA) from the Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL/RX). It consolidates various solicitation authorities to facilitate the release of individual solicitations for S&T efforts, progressing from basic research to technology maturation and transition. Individual solicitations will be released under this MAA and may be issued as Calls for Proposals or Open Periods, using either a One- or Two-Step format.

Solicitations will seek approaches covering one or more of the following Technical Areas:

• Photonic, Electronic, & Soft Materials: For advanced battlespace awareness, sensing, electromagnetic spectral dominance, and contested logistics.

• Manufacturing and Industrial Technologies: Supporting the defense industrial base, manufacturing processes, industrial base planning, and energy assurance.

• Composite, Ceramic, Metallic, and Materials Performance: Cradle-to-grave technologies for polymer matrix composites, metals, ceramics, material state awareness, and rapid response analysis.

• Integration and Operations: Facilitating innovation, regulatory compliance, collaborations, technology transitions, and secure cyber systems.

• Energy: Developments for aerospace efficiencies, digital engineering, drag/mass reduction, power generation/storage/distribution/management, and mission resilience.

• Contract Type/Instrument: Awards may be made via FAR-based contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, commercial contracts, Other Transactions for Research (OTR), Other Transaction for Prototype (OTP), Procurement for Experimental Purposes, or Technology Investment Agreements. Awards are anticipated to be Cost Plus Fixed Fee. Follow-on production contracts or transactions are possible.

• Estimated Program Cost: TBD per individual solicitation.

• Anticipated Number of Awards: TBD per individual solicitation.

• Anticipated Award Date: TBD per individual solicitation.

• White Paper/Proposal Due Date: NO PROPOSALS ARE REQUESTED AT THIS TIME. Individual solicitations will detail specific due dates and times.

• Communication: Industry days, RFIs, and conference engagements may be used. Technical and contracting POCs will be identified per solicitation.

• NAICS Code: 541715 (Research and Technology in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) with a small business size standard of 1,500 employees.

• Eligible Offeror: Solicitations are anticipated to be unrestricted, but small businesses are encouraged to propose.

• Foreign Participation: Foreign-owned firms must notify the Contracting Officer; restrictions may apply.

• Attachments: RX MAA Industry Guide is referenced for additional details on process, data rights, submission, and review.

• Modifications: Awards may be modified during performance for within-scope changes.

• Security: Program Security Classification, TEMPEST, OPSEC, Export Control (ITAR/EAR), and S&T Protection requirements will be identified per solicitation. DD Form 2345 may be required for export-controlled efforts.

Other / Unclassified

This document is an Industry Guide for the Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (RX) Multiple Authority Announcement (MAA). It serves to familiarize potential offerors with the MAA acquisition approach, consolidating various solicitation authorities under a single announcement to support a range of Science and Technology (S&T) efforts from basic research to technology maturation and transition.

This guide supplements information found in the MAA and individual solicitations, aiming to standardize proposal preparation and reduce barriers to competition. It details:

• MAA Overview: Explains the purpose and flexibility of the MAA, including the use of Calls for Proposal and Open Period solicitations, and one-step vs. two-step approaches.
• Solicitation Authorities: Outlines the limitations and applications of various authorities (e.g., BAA, Other Transactions, Commercial Solutions Opening) that may be used under the MAA.
• Maximizing Competition: Emphasizes the MAA's design to reach a broad range of industry partners, including small businesses and non-traditional defense contractors.
• Solicitation Variations & Process: Describes Call for Proposal and Open Period solicitations, and one-step vs. two-step proposal processes. It lists typical information included in solicitations.
• Data Rights: Details anticipated government data rights for technical data and computer software.
• Proposal Preparation: Provides instructions for preparing White Papers (for two-step solicitations) and full Technical/Cost Proposals (for one-step solicitations), including formatting, content, and submission requirements.
• Review & Selection: Outlines the criteria for reviewing White Papers and full proposals, emphasizing technical innovation and approach.
• FAR-Based & Assistance Instrument Requirements: Covers additional requirements for FAR-based contracts and assistance instruments, including specific forms and certifications.
• Other Transactions (OTs): Explains the process and considerations for OTs, including negotiation, intellectual property, and disclosure exemptions.

Offerors should prioritize information in the following order: 1) Solicitation, 2) MAA, 3) Industry Guide. The guide is updated annually.