Air Dominance Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)
ID: FA8651-25-S-0001Type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
Overview

Buyer

DEPT OF DEFENSEDEPT OF THE AIR FORCEFA8651 AFRL RWKEGLIN AFB, FL, 32542-6810, USA

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715)

PSC

NATIONAL DEFENSE R&D SERVICES; DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - MILITARY; BASIC RESEARCH (AC11)
Timeline
    Description

    The Department of Defense, through the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) titled "Air Dominance" (FA8651-25-S-0001) to solicit proposals for advanced research and technology development in support of air dominance capabilities. This initiative focuses on 13 key research areas, including missile electronics, guidance technologies, and artificial intelligence applications in warfare, aiming to enhance the U.S. military's operational effectiveness and technological edge. The BAA is open for five years, with an estimated funding pool of up to $750 million, encouraging participation from small businesses and collaboration with educational and nonprofit institutions. Interested parties should submit white papers for initial evaluation, with further details available by contacting Amy Fortenberry at amy.fortenberry.1@us.af.mil or Allison McCowan at allison.mccowan@us.af.mil.

    Files
    Title
    Posted
    The document FA8651-25-S-0001, Section K, outlines several clauses relevant to federal contracts, specifically targeting compliance and representation requirements for offerors. Key provisions include various representations regarding ownership, business status (including women-owned businesses), and requirements for maintaining commercial and government entity codes. It emphasizes the importance of compliance with safeguarding covered defense information and defense telecommunications equipment regulations. Additional clauses address prohibitions associated with certain telecommunications services and outline the necessity for annual representations and certifications. Overall, this section aims to ensure that all parties involved in federal contracts adhere to the necessary regulations and standards, thereby enhancing accountability and integrity within government contracting processes.
    The document informs users that Adobe Reader 8 or higher is required to view its content. Users may need to install or configure their viewing environment for proper access. Guidance is provided through a link to Adobe's website, assisting in installation and configuration processes. The mention of Adobe Reader suggests that the document is likely a federal government Request for Proposal (RFP) or grant application that requires specific software to access critical information. Ensuring the right tools are in place is essential for stakeholders seeking to participate in government projects, highlighting the importance of accessibility in the dissemination of federal and local RFPs and grants.
    The document outlines the requirements for submitting personal data relating to Project Directors/Principal Investigators (PDs/PIs) and Co-PIs as part of federal research proposals. It emphasizes the Federal Government's commitment to monitoring equity in its review and award processes based on gender, race, ethnicity, and disability. Although providing this data is voluntary and not mandatory for receiving an award, the document underscores the importance of collecting this information for statistical validity. It lists data fields to be completed, including personal information, gender, race, ethnicity, disability status, and citizenship. Information collected will be confidential, separate from the application, and will not be included in the review process. The overall aim is to promote transparency and equity in funding opportunities within the context of federal grants and requests for proposals (RFPs).
    The Security Program Questionnaire is designed to evaluate the security protocols of institutions receiving federal research funding. Intended for completion by contractors and recipients, it is reviewed by the Science and Technology Protection Lead. The questionnaire covers essential aspects such as physical security plans, information security processes, data storage methods, and procedures for transmitting, disposing, reproducing, and safeguarding information. Additionally, it addresses cybersecurity measures, operations security to prevent unauthorized access, insider threat mitigation, and crisis management in case of data compromise. A particular emphasis is placed on the training of personnel with access to sensitive information. The objective of this questionnaire is to ensure robust security practices are in place, safeguarding government funding and sensitive data associated with research efforts.
    The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), specifically the Munitions Directorate, has released a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) titled "Air Dominance" (FA8651-25-S-0001). This BAA invites proposals focused primarily on applied research, advanced technology development, and prototype development related to air dominance capabilities. The BAA remains open for five years, with two submission parts: an open BAA for white papers and specific Call BAAs for targeted proposals. The total estimated funding for awards is expected to reach $750 million. The BAA encourages submissions from small businesses and emphasizes that white papers should comply with FAR data rights regulations. The document outlines key research areas, including missile electronics, guidance technologies, advanced warheads, and control systems. It specifies that white papers should contain an overview, technical summary, and estimated costs, while proposals will be evaluated based on technical merit, understanding of the task, and associated risks. Eligible offerors must adhere to various regulations, and both U.S. citizenship and appropriate security clearances may be required for contractor personnel. The BAA aims to further the development and integration of critical technologies in air and defense sectors, supporting national security objectives through innovative solutions.
    The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA8651-25-S-0001 for research in Air Dominance, focusing on advanced technology development and applied research related to munitions. This BAA spans over five years, encouraging white paper submissions from various organizations, including small businesses, unrestricted by size or ownership. The document outlines a two-step BAA process where white papers are first evaluated, followed by invitations to submit detailed proposals based on this evaluation. Key research areas include modeling and simulation, innovative aircraft integration, missile electronics, guidance systems, and advanced warhead technologies, among others. Each area has specific objectives for capability enhancement and technical advancement in munitions. The announcement clarifies expectations regarding deliverables, reporting requirements, data rights, and potential security assessments related to personnel involved in the projects. Eligibility extends to a wide range of entities, with guidance on submission protocols and evaluation criteria to ensure proposals meet technical and cost expectations. The document emphasizes collaboration with technical contacts from AFRL for refining proposals, thereby facilitating innovative contributions towards advancing U.S. air combat capabilities while ensuring compliance with national security and funding requirements.
    The document outlines the Application for Federal Assistance SF-424, a standardized form used for federal grants and RFP submissions. It requires various applicant details including federal identifiers, organizational information, and contact persons. The form categorizes applicants by type and asks for project specifics such as the funding opportunity number, project title, and areas affected by the project. Additionally, it includes financial estimations, declaration of any federal debt delinquencies, and compliance with the Executive Order 12372 review process. By signing the application, the applicant certifies the accuracy of the information provided and agrees to abide by associated rules and penalties for false statements. The structure is highly organized, facilitating the collection and review of essential application data for federal funding opportunities. This form serves as a critical tool for applicants seeking government support while ensuring compliance with federal requirements.
    The Security Program Questionnaire is designed to evaluate the security measures and practices of entities receiving research funding. It requires completion by the contractor or recipient and review by the S&T Protection Lead. The form includes critical inquiries regarding physical security plans, information security processes, data storage locations, and protocols for information transmission and disposal. Additionally, it addresses safeguards for personnel with access to sensitive information and cybersecurity strategies to protect against insider threats and potential compromises. An imperative aspect of the questionnaire is the willingness of the applicant to provide annual training on S&T Protection to all personnel with access. This structured assessment is essential for ensuring that funded projects meet federal security standards, thereby safeguarding sensitive information and operational integrity throughout the research effort. The emphasis lies on comprehensive risk management and compliance in alignment with federal RFPs and grants.
    The document outlines the requirements for submitting Senior and Key Person Profiles as part of federal and FAR-based contracts. It includes a standardized form that must be completed for each key member involved in the project, including the Project Director or Principal Investigator and up to five additional senior/key persons. Each profile requires the individual's first and last name, position/title, department, organization name, division, contact information (phone number and email), LinkedIn profile, and specific project roles. This structured approach ensures that critical personnel are adequately identified and vetted, facilitating transparency and accountability in government contracting processes. Such profiling is essential for evaluating capabilities and qualifications of teams proposed for various projects under federal grants and RFPs at both federal and state/local levels. The integrity of these profiles contributes significantly to the success of project implementation by ensuring qualified leadership and expertise are in place.
    The document outlines the Privacy Act Statement relevant to the Air Force Research Laboratory's processes for managing federal grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. It establishes the legal authorities underpinning data collection, including various public laws and executive orders aimed at ensuring integrity in federal awards. The information collected is essential for scrutinizing the eligibility and accountability of applicants and recipients involved in federally sponsored research activities. Routine uses of the collected information include sharing it with relevant contractors and law enforcement authorities when necessary to uphold legal compliance. While providing information is voluntary, failure to comply could result in civil or criminal consequences and may lead to application rejection. The document's structure includes sections detailing legal authorities, purposes of information collection, routine uses, consequences for non-compliance, and a section for acknowledgment of consent, requiring signatures from both the individual and the institution's authorized representative. Overall, this document emphasizes the importance of transparent information handling in relation to federal funding and the legal ramifications of non-disclosure within the context of applying for federal research and development awards.
    The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Munitions Directorate, released a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA8651-25-S-0001 titled "Air Dominance." This BAA invites proposals for research in advanced technologies related to air defense, focusing primarily on applied research and technology development. The announcement allows for white paper submissions over a five-year period and specifies two formats: Basic Open BAA and Call BAA for specific topics. The AFRL aims to support exploration in 13 key research areas, including missile electronics, air superiority concepts, and engagement management systems. In addition, it encourages small businesses to participate and emphasizes collaboration with educational and nonprofit institutions. Proposals will undergo a two-step evaluation process, where compelling white papers may lead to formal proposals. Special conditions include security considerations, export control measures, and data rights specifications. This BAA represents a strategic initiative to enhance U.S. air dominance capabilities, ensuring the development of innovative solutions that meet national defense needs while adhering to regulatory requirements and promoting safety.
    The Air Force Research Laboratory's Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA8651-25-S-0001 focuses on Air Dominance research under the Defense Research Sciences Program. This announcement remains open for five years, inviting continuous submissions of white papers pertaining to 13 research areas, including advanced missile propulsion technologies, missile guidance systems, and artificial intelligence in warfare. Submissions will undergo a two-step review: initial white papers will be evaluated for feasibility, leading to potential invitations for full proposals. Awards may reach up to $750 million across various contract types, prioritizing small businesses. The BAA emphasizes the need for innovative technologies in areas such as missile integration, data rights, and export control compliance. It requires regular reporting and anticipates the necessity of classified facility clearances for contractors. Each research area has designated technical points of contact to assist proposers. The inclusion of rigorous security measures underscores the program's commitment to safeguarding national interests while pursuing advancements in air warfare capabilities. Overall, this BAA represents a strategic initiative to enhance the U.S. Air Force's technological edge in air combat operations.
    The document outlines multiple Research Areas soliciting proposals for technologies and methodologies aimed at enhancing missile systems and aircraft capabilities for the Department of Defense (DoD). Key areas include Modeling, Simulation, & Analysis (MS&A) for assessing air superiority, innovative aircraft integration technologies, advancements in Find-Fix-Target-Track (F2T2) systems, and Engagement Management Systems that optimize aircraft survivability. Furthermore, it addresses high-velocity fuzing and robust missile electronics, emphasizing power management and thermal management. Research on missile guidance and control technologies, advanced warhead capabilities, and propulsion systems are also prioritized for ensuring effective engagement and reliability. The inclusion of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning is emphasized for enabling autonomous and collaborative weapon systems capable of adapting to dynamic combat environments. Each research area stresses the need for utilization to meet DoD requirements, focusing on innovation and integration of advanced systems. The document serves as a government request for proposals (RFP), inviting developers to contribute innovative solutions that will enhance national security through advanced military technologies.
    Lifecycle
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    Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
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