Air Force: AERIAL LAYER NETWORKING & TRANSMISSION TECHNOLOGIES

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Executive Summary:

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Information Directorate (Rome Research Site), is soliciting white papers under BAA FA8750-23-S-7002 for advanced research in Aerial Layer Networking & Transmission Technologies.

This is an Open, 2-Step Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) focused on enabling self-forming, self-healing, resilient airborne networks that operate in contested and degraded environments.

White papers will be accepted until 0500 PM EST on 30 September 2027, and this BAA will close on 30 September 2027.

While submissions are accepted on a rolling basis, AFRL recommends aligning to fiscal year targets to maximize funding probability. If this topic aligns with your capabilities, early submission materially improves your chances of selection.

This is a multi-year, $99.5M opportunity with potential awards ranging from $1M to $10M — and up to $49.5M in certain cases.

How much funding would I receive?

• Total BAA funding: Approximately $99.5M

• Funding by fiscal year:

  • FY26 – $19.9M

  • FY27 – $19.9M

• Typical individual awards:

  • Normally range from $1M to $10M

  • Period of performance typically not to exceed 36 months

  • Potential exists for awards up to $49.5M

Multiple awards are anticipated. The Air Force reserves the right to award zero, one, or more awards depending on funding availability and proposal quality.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding supports research, development, integration, test, evaluation, and experimentation of technologies for Airborne Network Connectivity and Dissemination, including:

Airborne Network Management & Monitoring

• Self-managing and self-healing wireless networks

• Software Defined Networking (SDN)

• Network Function Virtualization (NFV)

• Monitoring and management of tactical data link (TDL) networks

Robust Airborne Networking

• Resilient networking in contested environments

• Mesh networking technologies

• RF front ends, radios, modems

• Security and reliability improvements

• Apertures and waveforms

Demonstrable Network Technologies

• Advanced radios and networking technologies

• Proof-of-concept demonstrations

• Lower-cost demonstrations leveraging AFRL infrastructure

AESA-Based Tracking Systems

• Analog active electronically steered array (AESA) technology

• Embedded control solutions for modular AESA panels

• Electronic tracking algorithms

• Small form-factor RF hardware

• Communications system integration and characterization

Both fundamental and non-fundamental research may be awarded. The Government retains sole discretion on instrument type and publication restrictions.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Potential benefits include:

• Ability to receive FAR-based contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or Other Transactions (OTs)

• For Other Transaction for Prototype (10 USC 4022) awards:

  • Potential transition to a follow-on production contract or transaction without further competition if the prototype is successfully completed

• Engagement and dialogue with AFRL prior to submission

• White paper feedback within 45 days of submission

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

This is a rolling, open BAA.

White papers will be accepted until 0500 PM EST on 30 September 2027. The BAA will close on 30 September 2027.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding is provided by:

Department of the Air Force
Air Force Materiel Command
Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)
Information Directorate – Rome Research Site

Assistance Listing Number: 12.800

Statutory authorities may include:

• 10 USC 4021

• 10 USC 4022

• 10 USC 4023

Who is eligible to apply?

All qualified offerors who meet BAA requirements may apply.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

White papers and proposals are evaluated in descending order of importance based on:

1. Overall Scientific and Technical Merit

2. Related Experience relevant to USAF and Joint DoD missions

3. Openness, Maturity, and Assurance of Solution

4. Reasonableness and Realism of Costs

Projects that:

• Advance resilient airborne networking in contested environments

• Demonstrate operational transition potential

• Leverage existing standards and capabilities

• Present technically sound and executable plans

are aligned with stated priorities.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Key restrictions include:

• Foreign participation is prohibited except as explicitly permitted for fundamental research

• Classified work may require SECRET or TOP SECRET facility clearance

• Export control registration (DD Form 2345) may be required

• SBIR data rights are non-negotiable

• Non-SBIR data rights are subject to negotiation

• Cost sharing is not required and is not a selection factor

• Certified cost and pricing data required for contracts exceeding $2M ($7.5M for small businesses or nontraditional defense contractors)

• Human subject research requires IRB and AFRL-level approval

• Security Risk Review required for Senior/Key Personnel and Covered Individuals

• GAAP compliance required for OTs

• SPRS Basic NIST SP 800-171 DoD Assessment required

• AFRL supplemental OCI restrictions prohibit concurrent SETA/A&AS support and technical performance

Failure to follow white paper formatting instructions may result in rejection.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Step One requires a 3–5 page white paper including:

• Title, period of performance, estimated cost

• Task objective

• Technical summary and deliverables

Formatting must comply with BAA instructions (double-spaced, 12-point font minimum).

If invited to Step Two, a full technical and cost proposal will be required per the AFRL BAA Guide and RI-Specific Proposal Preparation Instructions (latest versions).

Preparation time will depend on complexity. The solicitation does not specify expected preparation duration.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can:

• Assess strategic fit before submission

• Refine your white paper to align precisely with AFRL evaluation criteria

• Position technical merit and transition potential clearly

• Structure cost strategy for FAR-based or OT pathways

• Identify and mitigate OCI, FOCI, and S&T Protection risks

• Support full proposal development if invited to Step Two

We ensure your submission is compliant, competitive, and aligned to Air Force mission priorities.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

We have both fractional engagements ($250 an hour) and full engagements ($4,000) available.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

Air Force: AFRL/RX Functional Materials Open BAA

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 & Manufacturing Directorate, is seeking white papers under the AFRL/RX Functional Materials Open BAA (FA8650-22-S-5002). This is a two-step, rolling Broad Agency Announcement focused on innovative functional materials that enable new warfighting capabilities and improve size, weight, power (SWaP), reliability, maintainability, and lifecycle cost.

White Papers may be submitted at any time upon issuance of this BAA until 28 October 2026 3:00 PM Wright-Patterson AFB, OH Local time . Early submission is encouraged.

Total anticipated funding under this BAA is approximately $48,000,000. Multiple awards are anticipated, but the Air Force reserves the right to award zero, one, or more contracts.

If you are developing advanced photonic materials, nanoelectronic materials, quantum materials, soft matter, biomaterials, or related enabling technologies aligned with AFRL/RX core competencies, this is an open, flexible vehicle to secure non-dilutive federal R&D funding through 28 October 2026 3:00 PM Wright-Patterson AFB, OH Local time .

How much funding would I receive?

This BAA has total anticipated funding of approximately $48M across FY22–FY26 .

• FY26: ~$8.5M

The solicitation does not specify minimum or maximum award sizes per project.

The Air Force anticipates awarding multiple awards but reserves the right to award zero, one, or more contracts .

Each award is anticipated to be between 12 to 60 months for the technical effort plus an additional 3 months for reporting .

All funding is subject to availability and Government discretion .

What could I use the funding for?

Funding supports research aligned with the AFRL/RX Functional Materials mission, including:

Photonic Materials Core Competencies

• Optical materials and processes

• Hardened materials and processing

• Electro-Optic/Infrared (EO/IR) sensor protection

• Laser materials and structural protection

Nanoelectronic Materials Core Competencies

• Nanoscale transport materials and processes

• Ultra-wide bandgap semiconductors

• 2D materials

• Magnetoelectric and memristor materials

• Heterogeneous integration

Quantum Semiconductor Materials and Processes

• Quantum-enabled sensors and electronics

• Infrared sensing and hyperspectral imaging

• Secure communications and electronic warfare

• Quantum memory or transduction systems

Soft Matter and Biomaterials

• Stimuli-responsive polymers

• Flexible/stretchable electronics

• Wearable sensors

• Bioelectronics and biofunctionalization

• Biomanufacturing and biodegradation

• Synthetic biology for materials development

Work may include studies, research, experiments, characterization, processing, modeling, software, proof-of-concept development, and prototype hardware and software .

Deliverables may include data, software, prototypes, demonstration components/systems, and material samples, as required .

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Potential benefits include:

• Flexible award instruments: FAR-based contracts, Other Transactions (OT) for Prototype, OT for Research, grants, or cooperative agreements

• Anticipated use of Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts

• Opportunity to transition technologies to future Government needs (explicitly evaluated in proposal review)

• Direct engagement and dialogue with AFRL prior to proposal submission

The Government will receive Unlimited Rights in noncommercial technical data and software developed exclusively with Government funds , which is important to consider in your IP strategy.

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

This is a two-step process.

Step 1: White Paper
White Papers may be submitted at any time upon issuance of this BAA until 28 October 2026 3:00 PM Wright-Patterson AFB, OH Local time .

• Government review is anticipated to take 30 working days .

• Offerors will be notified whether they are recommended to submit a full proposal on or about 30 days after receipt .

Step 2: Full Proposal

• Only offerors who submitted a White Paper are eligible for award .

• Full proposals must be submitted within 30 working days of the proposal request .

Award timing is not specifically stated and depends on funding availability and successful negotiations.

The BAA remains open and effective until 28 October 2026 .

Where does this funding come from?

Funding comes from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Functional Materials Division (AFRL/RXA) .

Broad Agency Announcement Number: FA8650-22-S-5002
CFDA Number: 12.800 Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program .

Who is eligible to apply?

This is an unrestricted solicitation .

• Small businesses are encouraged to propose .

• There are no limits on the number of white papers/proposals an offeror may submit .

• Cost sharing is not required .

Foreign participation:

• AFRL is authorized to exclude all foreign participation at the prime contractor level .

• Foreign contractors are advised to notify the Contracting Officer before responding .

• Export control laws may apply, and a Certified DD Form 2345 may be required .

Government agencies must pursue participation outside this announcement .

What companies and projects are likely to win?

White Papers are evaluated (equal importance) on:

• Whether the technical approach is consistent with the technologies listed in the BAA

• Whether the research is of interest to the Government

• Whether appropriate funding is available

Full Proposals are evaluated primarily on Technical merit, including:

• Unique and innovative approach

• Advances in knowledge and state of the art

• Transition potential to future Government needs

• Understanding of scope

• Sound technical approach and risk mitigation

• Qualifications of personnel

• Availability of necessary facilities

Cost/Price is a substantial factor but ranked second to technical merit .

Projects that demonstrate innovation, transition potential, and alignment to AFRL functional material core competencies are most competitive.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Key restrictions include:

• Strict White Paper page limit: 4 pages plus 1 Quad Chart (5 total pages) .

• Strict Technical Proposal page limit: 20 pages plus 1 Quad Chart (21 total pages), plus separate 10-page SOW .

• Export control requirements (ITAR/EAR) may apply .

• Program security classification may be up to and including SECRET .

• Data rights: Government receives Unlimited Rights in noncommercial technical data and software developed exclusively with Government funds .

• GFP is not anticipated .

Late submissions due to installation security delays will be considered “late” .

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

White Paper (Step 1):

• 4 pages plus 1 Quad Chart

• Requires technical summary and Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimate .

Full Proposal (Step 2):

• 20-page technical/management volume + 1 Quad Chart

• Separate 10-page Statement of Work

• Detailed cost/business proposal with full cost element breakdown .

The solicitation does not estimate preparation time. Preparation time will depend on complexity, internal cost systems, and whether certified cost or pricing data is required.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can support you by:

• Aligning your technology to the correct AFRL/RX core competency

• Shaping your White Paper to pass peer/scientific review criteria

• Structuring your Quad Chart for clarity and impact

• Developing a compliant 20-page technical proposal and 10-page SOW

• Building a defensible cost model aligned with FAR and DFARS requirements

• Managing data rights assertions and export control positioning

We focus on positioning your innovation for Selectable categorization under AFRL’s technical-first review process.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

We have both fractional engagements ($250 an hour) and full engagements ($4,000) available.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.