AFRL STAR-FISH Call 017: Secure by Design Space Vehicle

Executive Summary

AFRL's Space Vehicles Directorate wants white papers for a Secure by Design Space Vehicle: a flat-sat and cyber range, cyber-hardened flight software testing, ground demonstrations and an on-orbit demo. Estimated funding is $14 million in total. White papers are due November 13, 2026, 4:00 PM MST.

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The deciding factor is readiness to perform classified, cost-type work. AFRL plans Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts, requires an approved accounting system, and expects work from CUI up to Secret. Space vehicle builders and integrators with cleared staff and flat-sat experience are the natural fit.

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Space Vehicles Directorate, Phillips Research Site, Kirtland AFB, NM
• Opportunity: STAR-FISH (Space Technology Advanced Research - Fast-tracking Innovative Software and Hardware) Call 017, Secure by Design Space Vehicle
• Number: Advanced Research Announcement FA9453-21-S-0001, Call 017 (SAM.gov notice FA945326XA001)
• Authority and Award Vehicle: 10 U.S.C. 4023, Procurement for Experimental Purposes; Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts with a base period and two options
• Funding: About $14 million estimated for the whole Call (FY2027 $5M, FY2028 $2M, FY2029 $2M, FY2030 $5M), not per award
• Technology Maturity: Ground demonstration through on-orbit demonstration
• Due Date: White papers due November 13, 2026, 4:00 PM MST

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the November 13, 2026 deadline.

Book a Free Fit Call

What Is STAR-FISH?

STAR-FISH is AFRL's standing Advanced Research Announcement for experimentation with spaceflight and space-related signal, energy, and transportation technologies. AFRL posts specific Calls under it. Call 017 asks for a full Secure by Design Space Vehicle effort, run as a two-step process: white paper first, then a proposal for selected offerors.

What Problem Is AFRL Trying to Solve?

Cyber threats put national critical space missions at risk, including Position, Navigation, and Timing; Missile Warning and Missile Tracking; Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance; and Satellite Communications. AFRL wants a space vehicle designed, tested and demonstrated with cyber protection built in from the start.

Priority Capability Areas: What AFRL Is Looking For

• Design and build: a space vehicle flat-sat and a matching space vehicle cyber range, integrated and verified.
• Cyber-hardened flight software: integrate the Government's Cyber-Hardened Satellite Software (CHSS); MIT Lincoln Laboratory performs the hardening and the Government provides interfaces and drivers.
• Test and evaluation: functional, performance and cyber-effectiveness testing against a non-hardened baseline, including cyber-attack scenarios.
• Operations: CONOPs and courses of action for cyber detection, protection and recovery, plus a user interface.
• Demonstration: ground experimentation, then on-orbit experimentation and a live demonstration.

Funding and Award Terms

• Total estimate: about $14 million for the Call across FY2027 to FY2030. Funding is an estimate and depends on future budgets.
• Contract type: Cost Plus Fixed Fee with a base period and two options, though AFRL may use another instrument.
• Number of awards: multiple awards are anticipated, but AFRL may make one or none.
• Cost share: not required.
• Data rights: the Government seeks unlimited rights and may accept Government Purpose Rights.

Eligibility Requirements and Participation

• Size standard: NAICS 541715, 1,000 employees.
• Approved accounting system: required for cost-type awards, along with other approved business systems.
• Security: work is expected from unclassified and CUI up to Secret. Staff must be U.S. citizens with the needed clearance; a DD Form 254 applies and your facility clearance must be current with DCSA.
• Foreign ownership: foreign-owned offerors cannot propose as prime. The technology is ITAR or EAR controlled, and any foreign nationals must be disclosed.

How to Apply

• Attend the Q&A: an online question and answer session is set for 9:00 AM on October 22, 2026.
• Download the current template: use the STAR-FISH White Paper Template (Attachment 2) from valideval.com/star_documents. Old versions are rejected.
• Request a DoD SAFE drop-off: email the Contracting Officer at least three workdays before the deadline. Drop-off links last 14 days.
• Submit the white paper and ROM cost: unclassified PDF with your UEI, uploaded through DoD SAFE by November 13, 2026, 4:00 PM MST. You cannot receive an award without a white paper.

What Happens After You Submit?

• White paper review: rated Highly Recommended, Selectable, or Not Selectable. AFRL aims to notify offerors within 30 days.
• Request for Proposal: selected offerors receive an RFP letter with the proposal due date.
• Evaluation: relevance to AFRL needs, scientific and engineering viability, and the project plan rank first; problem definition and benefit versus funding rank second; proposal quality ranks last.
• Feedback: unsuccessful offerors are notified in writing and can request feedback.

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

It fits small satellite and space vehicle builders, flight software and avionics teams, and space cyber companies that can carry cleared, cost-type work through an on-orbit demonstration. If you lack an approved accounting system or cleared facility, consider joining a prime's team instead of bidding alone.

How BW&CO Can Help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For AFRL announcements like STAR-FISH, we help you:

• Decide prime or partner: check accounting, clearance and teaming readiness before you invest in a bid.
• Map to the objectives: align your approach with each phase of the Statement of Objectives.
• Write the white paper: use the required template and keep it tight on problem, product and plan.
• Build the ROM cost: a realistic Cost Plus Fixed Fee estimate across the base and options.
• Prepare for the RFP: be ready to turn a selected white paper into a full proposal quickly.

Plan Your STAR-FISH White Paper

Frequently Asked Questions

When are white papers due?

November 13, 2026, 4:00 PM Mountain Standard Time, through DoD SAFE. One section of the notice lists an earlier date, so confirm with the Contracting Officer.

How much funding is available?

About $14 million is estimated for the whole Call from FY2027 to FY2030. That total covers all awards, not each one.

What kind of contract will be awarded?

AFRL anticipates Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts with a base period and two options, but may choose another instrument.

Do I need a security clearance?

Work is expected up to the Secret level. Staff must be U.S. citizens with the right clearance, and a DD Form 254 applies.

Is cost share required?

No. Cost share is not required for this Call.

Do I have to build the cyber-hardened software?

No. MIT Lincoln Laboratory performs the hardening. The Government provides the CHSS interfaces, drivers and flat-sat requirements, and you integrate them.

Can a small business apply?

Yes, under the 1,000-employee size standard for NAICS 541715, but you need an approved accounting system for a cost-type contract.

Can foreign-owned companies participate?

Foreign-owned offerors cannot propose as prime. The technology is export controlled.

Can BW&CO help with a STAR-FISH white paper?

Yes. We help teams decide prime or partner, write the white paper and ROM cost, and prepare for the RFP. Book a call with our team.

Source: STAR-FISH Call 017, Secure by Design, on SAM.gov