Multi-Spectrum Defensive Electronic Warfare (MSDEW) Advanced Research Announcement (ARA), Call 01, Threat Assessment & Aircraft Protection Defensive Electronic Warfare (TAAP-DEW)

Quick Summary

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has issued an Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) for Multi-Spectrum Defensive Electronic Warfare (MSDEW). This ARA, open until July 13, 2027, seeks to develop sensors and systems to enhance national defense capabilities in contested environments. Proposals will be solicited through individual calls, not this initial announcement. This is an unrestricted solicitation, encouraging businesses and educational institutions of all sizes to participate.

Purpose & Scope

The MSDEW ARA aims to improve joint lethality, enable forces to operate under attack, and strike diverse targets within adversary air and missile defense networks. This will be achieved through design, modeling, simulation, analysis, experimentation, testing, and demonstration of multi-spectrum threat warning and countermeasures sensors, systems, and technologies. The program advances Air Force EW (signal) capabilities.

Key Requirements

Individual calls will detail specific requirements, but the overarching effort includes:

• Integrating advanced signal sensors, processing, and exploitation for EW, threat warning, and countermeasures onto weapon systems.
• Demonstrating and assessing integrated EW systems in operational environments.
• Researching and refining integrated sensor systems architecture, including open architecture.
• Developing optimized processing for sensor systems and algorithms.
• Developing and assessing software and hardware interfaces.
• Researching integration methodologies and performing experiments.
• Transitioning effective EW techniques, systems, and countermeasures.

Contract Details

• Total Estimated Program Value: $396,600,000.00
• Individual Award Range: $20,000,000.00 to $100,000,000.00
• Anticipated Awards: Multiple
• Contract Types: May include Cost-Reimbursement, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), Multiple Award Fair Opportunity, and Other Transaction (OT) awards.
• Set-Aside: None (Unrestricted)

Submission & Evaluation

Proposals will be submitted in response to specific calls, with instructions and due dates provided per call. Evaluation will prioritize Technical Merit (understanding of scope, approach, experience, technology advancement, transition potential) followed by Cost/Price (realism). The Government reserves the right to make some, all, or no awards.

Security & Eligibility

All proposals will be subject to a Security Risk Review (AFRLI 61-113) to identify potential undue foreign influence. Offerors must submit:

• Research and Related Senior and Key Person Profile Worksheet (Appendix 2).
• Security Program Questionnaire (Appendix 1).
• Privacy Act Statement consent form for each "Covered Individual" (Appendix 3). Failure to comply with security requirements or provide requested information may lead to proposal rejection or award decline. "Covered Individuals" include all Senior/Key Personnel. Cost sharing is not required. FFRDCs have specific guidance.

Important Notes

Offerors should monitor www.sam.gov for amendments and issued calls. Technical questions should be directed to Robert DeSonia or Gary Butcher. Contracting questions should be directed to Kathryn Skaleski or Richard Bailey II. Security requirements, including potential Top Secret classification and export control, will be detailed in individual calls.