Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) FA9300-25-S-6001

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Aerospace Systems Directorate at Edwards Air Force Base has issued the Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) FA9300-25-S-6001 to invite technology demonstrations and research proposals supporting the Rocket Science and Technology Division. This ARA is managed through the Air Force Test Center’s Directorate of Contracting and remains open for a ten-year period beginning in September 2025. AFRL’s mission focuses on discovery, development, and integration of technologies vital to air, space, and cyberspace superiority for the United States Department of the Air Force. Through this ARA, AFRL aims to advance rocket propulsion, missile system innovation, and digital engineering integration to accelerate the transition of technologies that enhance national defense capabilities. The ARA is structured as an open two-step solicitation in which potential offerors first submit white papers summarizing their proposed research. Based on those white papers, AFRL may issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for full technical and cost proposals. The open structure also allows AFRL to issue specific calls for targeted research objectives throughout the 10-year open period. Submissions may address any of four broad topic areas: ground and flight experiments; missile system technologies; space system technologies; and novel approaches to mission and digital engineering. Each topic area seeks to strengthen the Air Force’s test and operational capacity in propulsion, design, modeling, simulation, and autonomous testing. The ground and flight experiment topic seeks proposals to enhance rocket testing reliability and efficiency through new instrumentation, modeling, and digital engineering tools. The missile systems topic encourages development of new materials, propellants, and manufacturing methods to improve system performance across all lifecycle phases. The space systems topic supports technologies improving on-orbit propulsion, maneuverability, refueling, and propulsion component performance. Finally, the digital engineering topic area calls for AI-driven and model-based approaches that integrate testing, data management, and simulation across multi-domain systems. Each area emphasizes cross-disciplinary innovation and digital transformation to reduce development timelines and increase mission success. AFRL anticipates multiple awards under this announcement, with individual contracts not exceeding $500 million in value. Contract instruments may include contracts, purchase orders, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transactions, depending on the nature of the proposed work. Award periods of performance will range between six and sixty months and will be tailored to the individual project. While specific funding allocations will depend on budget availability, AFRL reserves the right to issue awards of varying sizes and durations based on technical merit and mission alignment. The ARA may be updated periodically within its 10-year window to reflect evolving research needs. This ARA is unrestricted, allowing all qualified U.S. organizations to apply, though small businesses are especially encouraged to participate. Foreign entities or foreign-owned firms are not eligible. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) may apply only with proper authorization from their sponsoring agency and AFRL approval confirming no conflict with private industry. All offerors must hold a valid System for Award Management (SAM) registration, possess a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code, and be certified through the Defense Logistics Agency’s Joint Certification Program via DD Form 2345 prior to submitting white papers or proposals. White papers may be submitted at any time during the open period to AFTC.PZRA.BAAs@us.af.mil with a copy to the Contracting Point of Contact listed in the announcement. Each white paper should be limited to five pages and include a title page, task objectives, technical summary, and rough-order-of-magnitude cost estimate. If AFRL determines that a white paper aligns with mission priorities, the offeror will be invited to submit a full proposal through a letter RFP. Proposal evaluations are based on technical relevance, government interest, and availability of funding. Awards will be issued contingent on successful negotiation and available funds. The government may also issue specific “calls” under the ARA that set distinct deadlines and evaluation criteria. All communication must be directed through the official contracting channels. The Technical Point of Contact for this announcement is Mr. James Singleton, AFRL/RQRI, 5 Pollux Drive, Edwards AFB, CA 93524, telephone 661-275-5907, email james.singleton.7@us.af.mil. Contracting questions should be addressed to Ms. Jillian Marroquin, Contracting Officer, AFTC/PZRA, 5 South Wolfe Avenue, Building 2800, Edwards AFB, CA 93524, telephone 661-277-3053, email jillian.marroquin@us.af.mil. The Ombudsman for this solicitation is the AFTC Vice Commander at 1 South Rosamond Blvd, Edwards AFB, CA 93524-3784, phone 661-277-2810, email aftc.workflow@us.af.mil. Awards under this program will comply with Department of Defense security, data rights, and reporting requirements. All proposals must follow applicable FAR and DFARS clauses including safeguarding covered defense information (DFARS 252.204-7012). Final deliverables will include detailed scientific and technical reports, software and hardware items as applicable, and any contractor-acquired property. Each contractor will provide a comprehensive final report covering the full technical effort. The program encourages collaboration with AFRL and participation in scientific conferences to share progress and outcomes. The ARA remains open until 2035, with AFRL expected to issue periodic calls for emerging research opportunities.

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