Automated Processes For Knowledge Discovery And Information Retrieval

The Department of the Air Force, through its Air Force Materiel Command and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at the Rome Research Site, has issued Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA8750-24-S-7006 titled Automated Processes for Knowledge Discovery and Information Retrieval. This initiative seeks to foster innovative research in the processing and exploitation of multi-source, multi-domain classified and unclassified data to enhance battlespace awareness, derive decision-quality information, and automate decision-making processes. The AFRL Information Directorate is leading this effort from Rome, New York, with the announcement effective until September 9, 2029. The program is structured as an open, two-step BAA. Interested parties are first required to submit concise white papers outlining proposed research approaches. Only selected submissions will be invited to provide full proposals, ensuring that only those aligned with AFRL’s research priorities move forward in the process. White papers must clearly summarize objectives, methodologies, and deliverables. Offerors are strongly encouraged to submit by the suggested annual dates of November 30 for fiscal years 2025 through 2028, though submissions will be accepted up until the final deadline in September 2029. The scope of research under this BAA includes technologies for correlating and analyzing data from traditional and non-traditional sources across multiple operational domains such as ground, air, maritime, space, and cyberspace. Anticipated advancements include algorithms capable of constructing models of normal activity patterns, detecting anomalies, predicting future behavior, and identifying gaps in knowledge. Other areas of interest involve enhancing command and control, creating richer patterns of life data, and reducing the time required for multi-source correlation. Research outcomes are expected to directly support U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense missions. Funding for this opportunity is projected at approximately $99 million over the course of the program. Annual budget allocations include $20 million in fiscal years 2025, 2026, and 2027, followed by $15 million in 2028 and $14 million in 2029. Individual awards are expected to range from $3 million to $35 million with durations of up to 48 months. Multiple awards are anticipated, although the Air Force reserves the right to make no awards or to fund proposals at different levels depending on available resources. Contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and Other Transactions may all be used as award instruments. Eligibility to apply is broad and includes U.S. entities such as universities, nonprofit organizations, small businesses, and large corporations. However, foreign participation is generally prohibited, with exceptions considered for fundamental research if properly justified. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and government entities may apply under specific conditions but must demonstrate statutory authority. Security, facility clearance, and export control requirements will apply to certain projects, and offerors must be able to demonstrate adequate accounting systems and compliance with applicable federal regulations. Applications will be evaluated based on scientific and technical merit, the relevance of experience, the maturity of proposed solutions, and the reasonableness of costs. All submissions must adhere strictly to AFRL’s format and procedural guidelines, with failure to comply potentially resulting in rejection. Pre-proposal communication with government representatives is encouraged, although only contracting officers can make binding commitments. Offerors should expect notification of white paper evaluations within 45 days of submission. Technical questions should be directed to Carolyn Sheaff or Peter Rocci at AFRL/RIED in Rome, New York, while contractual inquiries should be addressed to contracting officer Amber Buckley. An AFRL Ombudsman is also available to help resolve concerns during the process. This BAA represents a significant investment in advancing knowledge discovery and information retrieval systems with direct implications for U.S. national defense. By funding cutting-edge research in artificial intelligence, data science, and multi-domain analysis, the Air Force seeks to maintain technological superiority in an increasingly complex global security environment. With funding spread across multiple fiscal years, this program provides a substantial opportunity for academic, industrial, and nonprofit partners to contribute to vital defense research initiatives.

Follow AFRL formatting requirements strictly; engage with AFRL for clarification but only contracting officers can commit