AFRL’s Materials & Manufacturing Directorate: Endless Forge
Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).
Executive Summary:
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Materials and Manufacturing Directorate is seeking white papers for the Endless Forge solicitation under MAA FA2394-24-R-B003. This is a two-step Open Period Solicitation designed to fund research and prototype development in materials and manufacturing technologies relevant to Air Force needs.
Companies first submit a white paper. If the Air Force determines the concept meets program needs, they will invite the company to submit a full proposal.
WHITE PAPER DUE DATE AND TIME: This solicitation is open and effective until 19 February 2028. White Papers will be considered if received anytime prior to 1400 EST on 19 February 2028. Only white papers are due at this time.
Total program funding is estimated at $149 million, and the Air Force anticipates making multiple awards.
How much funding would I receive?
The solicitation states:
Total Program Estimated Cost: $149 million
Multiple awards anticipated
Estimated funding profile (subject to change):
FY26: $3.5M
FY27: $30M
FY28: $50M
FY29: $50M
FY30: $15.5M
The Air Force reserves the right to award zero, one, or multiple contracts depending on proposals received and available funding.What could I use the funding for?
Funding supports research, development, integration, testing, and evaluation of technologies that improve information sharing across security domains and heterogeneous networks at the tactical edge.
The BAA focuses on three technical areas:
Technical Area 1 — Next Generation Cross Domain Solution Broker
Develop a discoverable and reconfigurable broker service that enables data exchange across multiple security domains using certified cross-domain solutions.
Technical Area 2 — Highly Dynamic Red/Black Networking
Develop networking capabilities that enable resilient routing and prioritization of encrypted data across dynamic networks.
Technical Area 3 — Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis (MS&A)
Develop a non-proprietary modeling and simulation testbed to evaluate technologies from Technical Areas 1 and 2.
The program will advance technologies through a phased development approach to reach TRL 5 and TRL 6 demonstrations.
What could I use the funding for?
The Air Force is soliciting research aligned with the following technical areas:
Manufacturing and Industrial Technologies
Composite, Ceramic, Metallic, and Materials Performance
Integration and Operations
Projects may include development activities that produce:
Data deliverables (CDRL reports)
Software deliverables (if applicable)
Hardware deliverables (if applicable)
Other deliverables based on the proposed work
Specific Areas of Interest are described in Attachment 1 of the solicitation.
Are there any additional benefits I would receive?
Awards may be issued through several potential mechanisms depending on the project:
Other Transaction (OT) for Prototype
Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts
Grants
Cooperative agreements
Other research agreements authorized under federal statute
The government will select the instrument best suited to the proposed research effort.
What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?
Step 1 – White Paper
WHITE PAPER DUE DATE AND TIME: This solicitation is open and effective until 19 February 2028. White Papers will be considered if received anytime prior to 1400 EST on 19 February 2028.
White papers are submitted electronically to the listed Air Force contacts.
Step 2 – Full Proposal
Full proposal deadlines will be provided in Requests for Proposals sent to offerors whose white papers are selected.
Awards
Award dates will vary.
White papers will be accepted for review through 19 February 2028.
Period of Performance
Approximately 36 months per award
33 months technical performance
3 months reporting period
Where does this funding come from?
Funding is provided by:
Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)
Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (RX)
The solicitation is issued under:
MAA FA2394-24-R-B003
Federal Acquisition Regulation and supplements
10 U.S.C. 4021, 4022, and 4023 authorities for research and prototype projects
32 CFR 22.205 for grants and cooperative agreements
Who is eligible to apply?
This is an unrestricted Open Period Solicitation, meaning:
Companies of any size may apply
Small businesses are encouraged to propose
Additional eligibility requirements include:
Contractors must be registered and certified with the Defense Logistics Agency Joint Certification Program (JCP).
Proposals must include an approved DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement.
Foreign participation:
Foreign participation is not authorized at the prime contractor level.
What companies and projects are likely to win?
The solicitation states the Air Force is seeking research proposals aligned with its materials and manufacturing mission areas, specifically:
Manufacturing and industrial technologies
Composite, ceramic, and metallic materials performance
Integration and operational technologies
Projects must address Areas of Interest described in Attachment 1.
White papers will be invited to submit full proposals if they meet the needs of the Air Force.
The solicitation does not specify evaluation criteria beyond those referenced in the RX MAA Industry Guide.
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
Key restrictions include:
Foreign participation
Not authorized at the prime contractor level.
Export control
The research may involve export-controlled information under:
ITAR (22 CFR 120-131)
EAR (15 CFR 710-774)
Security requirements
Some Areas of Interest may require:
TOP SECRET facility security clearance
SCI access
Accounting system
Cost reimbursement contracts require an adequate accounting system for cost tracking.
How long will it take me to prepare an application?
The application is a two-step process:
Submit a white paper.
If selected, submit a full proposal after receiving a Request for Proposal from the Air Force.
White paper preparation requirements are described in the RX MAA Industry Guide referenced in the solicitation.
How can BW&CO help?
BW&CO can support companies pursuing the Endless Forge solicitation by:
Determining whether your technology aligns with the Areas of Interest.
Developing a competitive white paper aligned with AFRL expectations.
Structuring a proposal strategy for the two-step submission process.
Preparing the full proposal package if your white paper is selected.
Ensuring compliance with requirements such as export control documentation and DD Form 2345.
How much would BW&CO Charge?
We have both fractional engagements ($250 an hour) and full engagements ($4,000) available.