Multi-Domain Force Applications and Traffic Management for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (M-FAT)

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (No. 2) to BAA FA8750-25-S-7004 updates the "Pre-Proposal Communication" language. The updated language clarifies that dialogue between prospective offerors and Government representatives is encouraged, and technical and contracting questions can be resolved via email. It reiterates that communications with points of contact do not constitute a Government commitment to fund or award, and only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government.

• Part I Overview Information: "Pre-Proposal Communication between Prospective Offerors and Government Representatives"

No changes to proposal deadlines, requirements, or evaluation factors are indicated by this amendment. It solely clarifies communication protocols.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) seeks innovative research to enhance Counter-small Unmanned Aerial System (C-sUAS) capabilities. The focus is on advancements in Electronic Warfare (EW), Cyberspace Operations (CO), Command and Control (C2) Automation and Autonomy, Low-Collateral Defeat (LCD), Low-Collateral Effect Interceptors (LCEI)/Blue Force Interceptors (BFI), and communications. The goal is to improve system resiliency in contested environments, develop low-collateral damage solutions, automate responses to sUAS threats (especially swarm attacks), and advance UAS Traffic Management (UTM) systems.

• EW & CO: Develop EW-enabled cyberspace countermeasures, disrupt sUAS command and control links, improve system resiliency, and create a library for cyberspace effects.

• C2 Automation/Autonomy: Enhance automation for C-sUAS systems, leverage human-machine teaming, enforce Rules of Engagement (ROE), and develop optimized Courses of Action (COA) for sUAS threats, including swarm attacks.

• C-sUAS Sensors: Improve detection, identification, and tracking of sUAS using various sensor technologies.

• C-sUAS Effectors: Research and develop low-cost, low-collateral effect interceptors and countermeasures for sUAS, including swarm operations.

• UTM: Enhance DoD/Federal UTM capabilities, integrate with existing air traffic control systems, and develop AI/ML mechanisms for airspace safety and security.

• Communications: Develop advanced modeling and simulation tools, resilient waveforms and networking protocols for swarm operations, and AI for network optimization and spectrum management.

• Estimated Funding: Approximately $499M total.

• Individual Awards: Typically range from $500K to $20M, with potential for awards up to $99M. Awards normally do not exceed sixty (60) months.

• Award Instruments: FAR-based Procurement contracts, CFR-based grants and cooperative agreements, or Other Transactions (OT) under 10 USC 4021, 4022, 4023.

• Follow-on Potential: Potential for follow-on production contracts or transactions after successful completion of prototype projects under OT agreements.

• Type: Open, 2-Step BAA. White papers are accepted as initial submissions; formal proposals are by invitation only.

• Submission Dates: Suggested dates for FY26-FY30 funding alignment (e.g., FY26 by 05 SEP 2025). White papers accepted until 4 AUG 2030.

• White Paper Format: 1-4 pages, double-spaced, 12pt font. Sections: Title/POCs, Task Objective, Technical Summary/Deliverables.

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

• General: All qualified offerors may apply.

• Foreign Participation: Closed to foreign participation (ownership and nationals), with exceptions for unclassified fundamental research requiring specific disclosures. Strict requirements for U.S. citizenship for base/network access.

• FFRDCs/Government Entities: Subject to limitations; must demonstrate work is unavailable from the private sector and provide specific documentation.

• OCI: Offerors must identify and disclose potential Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI) and provide mitigation plans. AFRL has a supplemental OCI policy prohibiting concurrent SETA/A&AS support and technical performance.

• Offerors must be registered in SAM.gov.

• Security Risk Reviews will be conducted for all proposed Senior/Key personnel and "Covered Individuals."

• Specific proposal preparation instructions and forms are available via provided links.

• Foreign participation restrictions are detailed and require careful review.

• Offerors must have a NIST SP 800-171 DoD Assessment in SPRS.