SPACE TECHNOLOGY ADVANCED RESEARCH-FAST-TRACKING INNOVATIVE SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE (STAR-FISH) ADVANCED RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT (ARA) WITH CALLS

Amendment / Modification

This amendment updates the contracting points of contact for the Advanced Research Announcement FA9453-21-S-0001.

• Announcement Overview: The "From" section for Contracting Points of Contact has been replaced with new contact information.
• Full Text Announcement, Paragraph I. Award Information, Section 6. Points of Contact: The "From" section detailing the previous points of contact has been replaced with new contact information.

This amendment does not appear to modify proposal deadlines, requirements, or evaluation factors. It solely updates contact information.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) with Calls (FA9453-21-S-0001) from the Air Force Research Laboratory, Space Vehicles Directorate, seeks research and development (R&D) in space technology. The goal is to advance innovative software and hardware for space-flight and space-related signal, energy, and transportation technologies. The ARA is open indefinitely, and specific research efforts will be solicited through separate "CALLs".

The ARA covers a broad range of R&D, including modeling and simulation, fabrication, experimentation, characterization, testing, demonstration, prototyping, and analysis related to space-flight systems. Specific topic areas include:

• Space vehicle functionality and logistics (agility, resilience, affordability, performance, deployable structures, thermal control, materials, power, command and data handling, guidance, navigation, control, autonomy, logistics support, space access, manufacturing, assembly, repair, resupply, repurposing, debris mitigation, disaggregated bus/payload concepts, small satellite development).

• Mission effects and capabilities (space-based sensing, threat detection, battlespace awareness, ionospheric modification, space communication hardware/software, position, navigation, and timing (PNT) payloads, inertial navigation, quantum sensing, solar power transfer, controlled reentry, modeling, simulation, and analysis).

• Space system/services anomaly detection, attribution, and protection (analytic tools, sensors for threat detection, data exploitation, cyber threat warning, passive/active protection).

• Space Battle Management, Command, and Control (domain awareness, battle management tools, command and control options, data fusion, machine learning, AI, multi-domain concepts, autonomy). Deliverables will be specified at the CALL level and may include data (CDRLs), final reports, software, and hardware.

• Contract Type/Instrument: The Air Force reserves the right to award various contract types (FAR or Non-FAR instruments, including Other Transactions (OT) for experimental purposes, cooperative agreements, etc.).

• Estimated Program Cost: Unspecified, with multiple awards ranging from $50,000 to $100,000,000. The Government reserves the right to modify this range.

• Period of Performance: To be determined per CALL.

• Process: The CALL will specify either a One-Step or Two-Step process.

  • One-Step: Proposal due date and time to be specified in the CALL.
  • Two-Step: First Step is a white paper and ROM cost estimate; Second Step is a proposal, to be specified in the "Requests for Proposals (RFP)".

• White Papers: Required for the Two-Step process. Must use a specific Microsoft Word Template. Cost of preparing white papers is not an allowable direct charge.

• Evaluation Criteria: Peer or scientific review process based on Problem Definition, Relevance to AFRL Needs, Scientific and Engineering Viability, Project Plan, Value/Cost, and Proposal Quality.

• Due Dates: White paper and/or proposal due dates will be specified in each CALL.

• Eligible Offeror: Unrestricted solicitation; businesses of all sizes are encouraged.

• Cost Sharing: Not required, but may be considered.

• Foreign Participation: Subject to export control laws; U.S. citizenship required for contractor employees accessing USAF bases or IT networks, with specific exceptions.

• Communication: Dialogue between prospective Offerors and Government representatives is strongly encouraged. All communications should be in writing.

• Modifications: The announcement is subject to updates; Offerors must monitor Contract Opportunities (beta.sam.gov).

• System for Award Management (SAM): Registration is required before award.

• Points of Contact: Listed for Program Manager and Contracting Officers.