Neutron Strategic Technology Advanced Research Announcement

The Neutron Strategic Technology Advanced Research (Neutron-STAR) Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) is issued by the U.S. Department of Defense through the Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). This announcement is managed under AFRL’s Space Vehicles Directorate, Geo Space Division, which develops and delivers nuclear-related technologies for the U.S. national defense enterprise. The ARA is an open solicitation designed to fund research and development in areas tied to nuclear deterrence, monitoring, command and control, and experimentation. The announcement is issued under the statutory authority of 10 U.S.C. §4023, which authorizes procurement for experimental purposes. The purpose of Neutron-STAR is to identify and develop technologies that directly support U.S. nuclear deterrence operations and enhance warfighter readiness. AFRL seeks proposals in areas such as nuclear system development, systems integration, flight experimentation, nuclear explosion monitoring, and nuclear command, control, and communication. Submissions should demonstrate how proposed work will contribute to improved national defense capabilities, especially through experimental development, modeling, and simulation of re-entry environments, materials characterization, nuclear monitoring, and prototype design. White papers and proposals should clearly describe benefits to national defense and strategies for verifying those benefits. This announcement operates as a hybrid solicitation. AFRL will accept open white papers, which may be retained for up to 12 months, and may also issue individual solicitations for more discrete requirements. These may follow one-step or two-step processes depending on the nature of the effort. In the two-step process, offerors submit white papers and rough order of magnitude cost estimates, with selected applicants invited to submit full proposals. AFRL reserves the right to convert a two-step submission into a one-step process if sufficient technical detail is provided. Limited solicitations may also be issued directly to selected offerors. The Government emphasizes that while discussions with AFRL representatives are encouraged before submission, only contracting or agreement officers may legally commit the Government. Funding under this ARA is open-ended with no overarching ceiling, though individual solicitations may include planning values or funding ranges. Awards may take the form of contracts, cooperative agreements, or other transaction (OT) agreements depending on the research proposed. Contract types anticipated include Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee, Cost Reimbursement, Firm Fixed Price, Cost Sharing, and Incentive contracts. If assistance instruments are used, awards will follow the requirements of DoDGARS, 2 CFR 200, and related guidance. Deliverables will be tailored to the specific award, with hardware, software, and data deliverables identified in individual award documents. AFRL anticipates making multiple awards but retains discretion to award none if proposals do not align with program goals or funding availability. Applications are open indefinitely until rescinded. White papers must be submitted unclassified to the Neutron-STAR organization mailbox. Classified submissions require special handling instructions that must be obtained directly from AFRL. Required proposal documentation includes a completed Standard Form 424 for key personnel and a Security Program Questionnaire to assess science and technology program protection. Offerors must be registered in SAM.gov prior to award. AFRL reserves the right to update or modify this announcement as U.S. nuclear deterrent and warfighter needs evolve, with at least annual updates to topic areas, criteria, or procedures. The evaluation process includes review of white papers and proposals against stated technical objectives and alignment with statutory authorities. Selected proposals will proceed to award negotiation, during which specific contract types, deliverables, and periods of performance are determined. Offerors must certify compliance with Section 223(a) of the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act regarding disclosure of current and pending support. AFRL reserves the right to reject proposals deemed unawardable due to unacceptable security risks. Technical questions should be directed to Maj Montgomery, AFRL/RVBN, with Harper Baird as the alternate. General announcement questions should be sent to Ms. Ashley Patterson, AFRL/RVKB, with Mr. Isaac Thorp as the alternate. All inquiries should be addressed through the Neutron-STAR organization mailbox at afrl.rvkb.afrlneutronstardms@us.af.mil. The contracting office is located at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. This program provides a significant opportunity for universities, industry, and research organizations to partner with the U.S. Air Force on high-priority nuclear technology research in support of national defense.

Offerors are encouraged to engage in dialogue with government representatives to understand objectives and requirements.