ULTRA-BROADBAND TERAHERTZ RADIO DEVELOPMENT

Amendment / Modification

This document republishes the original announcement (BAA FA8750-23-S-7009) with incorporated previous amendments. Key changes include:

• Part I; Overview Information: Claire Parisi removed as a TPOC.
• Part II; Full Text Announcement:
  • Section III.2.b.2: Updated FOCI guidance.
  • Section IV.4.b: Updated provision date.
  • Section IV.4.e: Added language regarding Other Transactions (OTs).
  • Section V.2.b.2.e: Corrected numbering and updated paragraph language.
  • Section V.4: Updated thresholds.
  • Section VI.1: Updated proposal formatting language.
  • Section VI.7: Updated provisions.
  • Section VI: Added paragraph 10 and deleted paragraph 12.
  • Section VII: Claire Parisi removed as a TPOC; Ombudsman updated.

Specific sections within Parts I, II, V, VI, and VII have been modified. Refer to the amendment for precise details.

While this amendment republishes the announcement, it also updates proposal formatting language and provisions. Offerors should review the updated sections carefully to ensure compliance with current requirements. No changes to proposal submission deadlines are indicated in this amendment.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment updates the solicitation FA8750-23-S-7009 regarding Science and Technology (S&T) Protection.

• Section III, Paragraph 5 (S&T Protection): Updates language related to the Security Risk Review process for proposals.

  • Proposals will undergo a Security Risk Review prior to award, focusing on potential vectors of undue foreign influence.
  • Reviews will assess Senior/Key Personnel and "Covered Individuals" using questionnaires, publicly available information, and internal government databases. Nationality is not a determining factor.
  • AFRL employs a holistic decision-making process incorporating technical and security factors to determine a Risk Acceptance Level (RAL).
  • Applicants/Recipients must submit specific documentation with their proposals, including:
    • For Grant/Cooperative Agreement proposals: Standard Form 424, Research and Related Senior and Key Person Profile (Expanded), Security Program Questionnaire, and "Privacy Act Statement" consent forms for Covered Individuals.
    • For Contract/Other Transaction Agreement proposals: Research and Related Senior and Key Person Profile Worksheet, Security Program Questionnaire, and "Privacy Act Statement" consent forms for Covered Individuals.
  • Required appendices are available at: https://sam.gov/opp/5d5947ee115b4a49adc07d0bc4bc72e5/view.
  • Failure to report required information may result in declination of award.
  • Applicants/Recipients must certify that covered individuals are aware of disclosure requirements and agree to establish internal processes to address foreign talent programs, conflicts of interest, and research integrity.
  • Covered Individuals must disclose all current and pending research support.
  • Applicants/Recipients must notify the government within 5 business days if Senior/Key Research Personnel are believed to be participants in a Foreign Government Talent Program or have Foreign Components with strategic competitors.

• Section V, Paragraph 2.e (Review and Selection Process): Updates language regarding the S&T review within the proposal evaluation process.

  • The S&T review, including the SF424, Senior and Key Person Profile, Security Program Questionnaire, and Privacy Act Statement, is conducted in parallel with the technical evaluation.
  • If a security risk is identified that exceeds the acceptable threshold, the Offeror will be notified of the declination of award.

• Section III, Paragraph 5

• Section V, Paragraph 2.e

• No changes to proposal deadlines are indicated. However, bidders must ensure all updated S&T Protection documentation and disclosures are submitted correctly with their proposals.

Amendment / Modification

This modification republishes the original announcement (BAA FA8750-23-S-7009) to incorporate previous amendments and includes the following specific changes:

• Part I, Overview: Updated language regarding the types of instruments that may be awarded.
• Part II, Full Text Announcement:
  • Updated the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) reference to an Assistance Listing number.
  • Updated content and format language in Section IV.2.
  • Updated Information Protection contact information in Section IV.3.
  • Updated the CFR hyperlink in Section IV.4.c.
  • Updated proposal formatting language in Section VI.1.
  • Updated debriefing language in Section VI.3.
  • Updated the OMBUDSMAN information in Section VII.

Parts I, II (Sections IV.2, IV.3, IV.4.c, VI.1, VI.3), and VII of the announcement have been affected.

No changes to proposal deadlines or submission requirements are indicated, beyond the updated formatting and contact information. Offerors should ensure they are referencing the latest versions of all documents and adhere to the updated formatting and contact details provided.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) seeks innovative research and development for ultra-broadband radio systems operating above 100 GHz for future Air Force communication capabilities in contested spectrum environments. The goal is to develop and demonstrate a compact, end-to-end communications system capable of dynamic frequency adjustment, power control, and data rate adaptation.

• Development and demonstration of an ultra-broadband radio (100-300 GHz).

• System must dynamically adjust carrier frequency, output power, and data rate.

• Modem design supporting spreading bandwidth up to 10 GHz and data rates from 1 Mbps to 1 Gbps.

• Ability to accurately form and shape terahertz beams.

• Key Performance Parameters:

  • Transmission Range: 200m (threshold), 2000m (objective)
  • Data Rate: 1 Mbps (threshold), 1 Gbps (objective)
  • Instantaneous RF Bandwidth: 5 GHz (threshold), 10 GHz (objective)
  • Beamwidth: 5 degrees (threshold), 3 degrees (objective)
  • Pointing Accuracy: 10 percent (threshold), 5 percent (objective)

• Collaboration and teaming among offerors are encouraged.

• BAA Number: FA8750-23-S-7009

• NAICS Code: 541715

• Estimated Funding: Approximately $9.9M total.

• Individual Awards: Typically 36 months, $200K - $4M, but can be up to any value within the BAA ceiling.

• Anticipated Awards: Multiple awards are anticipated.

• Award Instruments: Procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or Other Transactions (OTs).

• Follow-on Potential: Potential for follow-on production contracts or transactions after successful prototype completion under an OT.

• Type: Open, 2-Step BAA. White papers are the initial submission (Step 1).

• Submission Dates (Suggested for FY funding alignment):

  • FY24: by 15 Dec 2023
  • FY25: by 20 Sep 2024
  • FY26: by 19 Sep 2025
  • FY27: by 18 Sep 2026
  • FY28: by 17 Sep 2027

• Final Deadline: White papers accepted until 1700 EST on 19 Sep 2028.

• White Paper Format: Maximum 6 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font. Includes Title/Period/Cost/Company Info (not counted), Task Objective, and Technical Summary/Deliverables.

• Evaluation Criteria: Scientific/Technical Merit, Related Experience, Openness/Maturity/Assurance of Solution, Reasonableness/Realism of Costs.

• Notification: Offerors receive evaluation results within 45 days of white paper submission.

• General: All qualified offerors may apply.

• Foreign Participation: Closed to foreign participation (ownership and nationals), with exceptions for unclassified fundamental research. Specific requirements for FOCI companies and foreign nationals apply.

• FFRDCs/Government Entities: Subject to competition limitations; must demonstrate work is unavailable from the private sector and provide supporting documentation.

• Industry Day: Planned for October 17, 2023 (details to follow on SAM.gov).

• Fundamental Research: Offerors must indicate if proposed work is considered fundamental research.

• SAM Registration: Required for award.

• Contact Information: Technical inquiries to TPOCs (Ngwe Thawdar, Claire Parisi, Peter Ricci); Contractual inquiries to Amber Buckley.

• Security: Requirements for S&T protection and facility clearances may apply.