Space Environment Technologies and Science (SETS)

Quick Summary

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Vehicles Directorate (RV) Geospace Technologies Division (RVBX) has issued Call 003 under its Space Environment Technologies and Science (SETS) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), titled Space Chemistry of Reactions through Experiments And Modeling (SCREAM). This solicitation seeks interdisciplinary proposals for fundamental and advanced research in space and environmental impacts technologies. The primary goal is to understand, quantify, predict, mitigate, and exploit the effects of the space environment on Department of Defense and national security systems. Proposals are specifically requested for Topic 1: Solar, Solar Wind, and Ionospheric Effects and Topic 3: Plasma Physics and Chemistry. Proposals are due February 27, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time.

Scope of Work

Contractors will provide experimental and computational expertise to AFRL's Space Chemistry, LaSR Chemistry, and Plasma Chemistry laboratories at Kirtland AFB, NM. Key research areas include:

• Space Chemistry Laboratory: Fundamental physical chemistry of electrospray thruster operations, hyperthermal physics of meteor re-entry and electric propulsion, charge conversion sensor materials, and space weather models/forecasts.
• LaSR Chemistry Laboratory: Atmospheric research (metal vapor plumes, vaporization reactions), thruster studies (ion/cluster reaction rates, plume interactions), and plasma spectroscopy.
• Plasma Chemistry Laboratory: Fundamental chemistry of weakly ionized plasmas and nanoparticle mass spectrometry. Common tasks involve data acquisition/analysis, preparing presentations/publications, transitioning results, and maintaining laboratory infrastructure. Deliverables include software, documentation, presentations, monthly status/financial reports, and final scientific/technical reports.

Contract & Timeline

• Opportunity Type: Solicitation (Call 003 under BAA FA9453-23-R-X001)
• Anticipated Contract Type: Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF), with the right to award the best-suited instrument.
• Anticipated Funding: Approximately $7.6 million over FY26-FY30.
• Anticipated Awards: Minimum of one (1) contract.
• Anticipated Award Date: July 1, 2026.
• Period of Performance: 63 months (60 months for technical performance).
• Place of Performance: Kirtland AFB, NM.
• Proposal Due Date: February 27, 2026, 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time.
• Published Date: January 20, 2026.

Eligibility & Submission

• Set-Aside: None specified.
• Eligibility Requirements: Offerors must possess a valid U.S. security clearance of SECRET or higher. Foreign Nationals will not be considered unless approved.
• Submission Process: One-step proposal process. Technical proposals (maximum 30 pages) and Cost/Business proposals (recommended under 100 pages) must be submitted separately.
• Key Attachments: Required documents include Cost Proposal Instructions, Representations and Certifications, Proposal Adequacy Checklist, Security Program Questionnaire, Standard Form 424, Contractor's Verification of Proposal, and a Data Assertions Table. A Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) specifies mandatory reporting for final scientific/technical reports and quarterly status reports.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

1. Overall Scientific or Technical Merit (most important)
2. Relevance To Mission Needs
3. Soundness of The Offeror's Technical Approach

Contacts

• Primary: Isaac Thorp (isaac.thorp@spaceforce.mil)
• Secondary: Zach Garcia (zachary.garcia.8@spaceforce.mil)