Request for Information (RFI) for Electromagnetic Spectrums Operations and Management

SOL #: RFI-RIK-26-01Special Notice

Overview

Buyer

DEPT OF DEFENSE
Dept Of The Air Force
FA8750 AFRL RIK
ROME, NY, 13441-4514, United States

Place of Performance

NY

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical (541715)

PSC

National Defense R&D Services; Department Of Defense Military; Applied Research (AC12)

Set Aside

No set aside specified

Timeline

1
Posted
May 28, 2026

Qualification Details

Fit reasons
  • NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
  • Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
  • Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
  • Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps

Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.

Quick Summary

The Department of the Air Force, AFRL Information & Spectrum Warfare Directorate has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations and Management and related enabling technologies. This RFI is for planning purposes only and is not a solicitation for proposals. The Air Force seeks industry input on solutions for dynamic, real-time spectrum coordination in contested environments. Responses are due June 10, 2026.

Purpose & Background

The Air Force recognizes the critical and vulnerable nature of the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS). Current static spectrum allocation methods are inadequate for dynamic, contested operational environments. The Joint Force requires adaptive technologies to effectively exploit the EMS and counter adversary capabilities. This RFI aims to gather information to inform future acquisition strategies.

Technical Challenge & Areas of Interest

The Air Force is interested in solutions that can coordinate and reconfigure spectrum usage in real-time, at the edge, across all RF modalities (communications, electronic warfare, radar, sensing). Specific areas of interest include:

  • Spectrum Allocation: COTS and custom technologies for dynamic spectrum allocation and assignment.
  • Resource Algorithms: Real-time resource allocation algorithms, including machine learning or traditional approaches.
  • Network Architectures: Impacts of centralized versus distributed tasking in contested networks.
  • RF Modality Coordination: Methods for coordinating multiple RF modalities with differing priorities.
  • Situational Awareness: Spectrum visualization tools for enhanced situational awareness.
  • Monitoring: Broad, ultra-high bandwidth spectrum monitoring capabilities.
  • Constraints: Addressing optimization problem computational limitations and Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) constraints.

Response Requirements

  • Format: Microsoft Office Word, double-spaced, 11pt font, limited to 5 pages.
  • Content:
    • Section A: Cover page with company information, Point of Contact (POC) details, and a summary of relevant experience.
    • Section B: Technical Summary describing the proposed solution, its advantages, and a rough order of magnitude cost.
  • Restrictions: No classified information. Export-controlled information must be clearly marked.

Submission Details

Contract & Timeline

  • Type: Special Notice (Request for Information)
  • Set-Aside: None specified (for market research purposes)
  • Published: May 28, 2026

Additional Notes

Submission of abstracts is voluntary. Responses become U.S. Government property and will not be returned. Proprietary information will be protected and will not be used to restrict competition in future acquisitions.

People

Points of Contact

Nicolas LawPRIMARY
Daniel ParadisSECONDARY

Files

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Special Notice
Posted: May 28, 2026
Request for Information (RFI) for Electromagnetic Spectrums Operations and Management | GovScope