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

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.