ULTRA-BROADBAND TERAHERTZ RADIO DEVELOPMENT

Quick Summary

The Department of the Air Force, AFRL - Rome Research Site, has issued Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA8750-23-S-7009 for Ultra-broadband Terahertz Radio Development. This open, two-step BAA seeks innovative research to develop and demonstrate ultra-broadband radios operating above 100 GHz for future Air Force communications in contested spectrum environments. White papers are accepted until September 19, 2028.

Scope of Work

The Air Force seeks to develop and demonstrate a compact, end-to-end communications system capable of dynamic frequency adjustment, power control, and data rate adaptation. Key requirements include:

• Development of ultra-broadband radios operating between 100-300 GHz.
• Modem design supporting spreading bandwidths up to 10 GHz and data rates from 1 Mbps to 1 Gbps.
• Ability to accurately form and shape terahertz beams.
• Key Performance Parameters (KPPs) include a transmission range of 200m (threshold) to 2000m (objective), data rates from 1 Mbps (threshold) to 1 Gbps (objective), instantaneous RF bandwidth of 5 GHz (threshold) to 10 GHz (objective), beamwidth of 5 degrees (threshold) to 3 degrees (objective), and pointing accuracy of 10 percent (threshold) to 5 percent (objective). Collaboration and teaming among offerors are encouraged.

Contract Details

• BAA Number: FA8750-23-S-7009
• NAICS Code: 541715 (National Defense R&D Services; Military; Applied Research)
• Estimated Funding: Approximately $9.9 million total.
• Individual Awards: Typically 36 months, ranging from $200K to $4M, with potential for awards up to the BAA ceiling.
• Anticipated Awards: Multiple awards are anticipated.
• Award Instruments: FAR-based Procurement contracts, DODGARS-based grants and cooperative agreements, or Other Transactions (OTs). Successful prototype OTs may lead to follow-on production contracts.
• Set-Aside: None. This opportunity is open to all qualified offerors. Foreign participation is generally closed, with exceptions for unclassified fundamental research.

Submission & Evaluation

• Submission Type: Open, 2-Step BAA. Initial submissions are white papers (maximum 6 pages). Formal proposals are by invitation only.
• Suggested White Paper Submission Dates (for FY funding alignment): FY24 (Dec 15, 2023), FY25 (Sep 20, 2024), FY26 (Sep 19, 2025), FY27 (Sep 18, 2026), FY28 (Sep 17, 2027).
• Final White Paper Deadline: September 19, 2028, 1700 Eastern Standard Time (EST).
• Evaluation Criteria: Scientific/Technical Merit, Related Experience, Openness/Maturity/Assurance of Solution, and Reasonableness/Realism of Costs.
• Assistance Instruments (per Amendment 8): Proposals for assistance instruments will be evaluated based on Gold Standard Science (GSS) implementation, demonstrable results, alignment with warfighter needs, and adherence to specific policy priorities. Bidders must explicitly agree to understand and adhere to GSS policies.
• Security Risk Review (per Amendment 3): All proposals will undergo a Security Risk Review focusing on potential undue foreign influence. Required documentation includes SF424, Research and Related Senior and Key Person Profile, Security Program Questionnaire, and Privacy Act Statement consent forms for Covered Individuals. Failure to report required information may result in declination.

Contact Information

• Technical Point of Contact: Peter Ricci (peter.ricci.1@us.af.mil, 315-330-2427)
• Contracting Officer: Amber Buckley (amber.buckley@us.af.mil, 315-330-3605)