Research and Development (R&D) for Air Force Airbase Systems

The Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) Readiness Directorate, through its Requirements and Acquisition Division (AFCEC/CXA), has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for research and development (R&D) under the FA8051-24-S-0001 solicitation. This initiative seeks innovative solutions to enhance the Air Force's airbase systems across multiple domains, including expeditionary engineering, emergency response, environmental sustainability, automation, and infrastructure protection. The BAA is structured as a Closed Two-Step Process with CALLS, meaning specific topic areas of interest will be released periodically, requiring white paper submissions followed by full proposals upon request. This BAA focuses on advancing technical capabilities in areas such as modern timber products for expeditionary environments, destruction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), arctic campaigning, automated heavy machinery, airbase operations, civil engineering materials, fire protection, infrastructure protection, robotics, and airbase energy and utilities. The research must align with Department of Defense acquisition regulations and include basic, applied, and advanced technology development. Proposals must demonstrate novel approaches, technical feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with Air Force mission requirements. Funding for this BAA will come from Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriations, with an approved funding ceiling of $49,000,000. Awards will be made on a competitive basis, with multiple contract awards anticipated throughout the five-year performance period. The number of awards per CALL will depend on funding availability and government needs, with the potential for contracts extending up to five years. Eligibility is open to all capable entities, including private industry, academia, and nonprofit organizations. However, federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) and foreign entities face restrictions. Applicants must meet security and compliance requirements, including handling classified information when necessary. Foreign participation is generally restricted, with exceptions for fundamental research and entities with approved Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) mitigation plans. The application process follows a structured two-step submission procedure. First, interested parties must submit white papers in response to specific CALLS. If selected, they will be invited to submit full technical and cost proposals. All applications must adhere to formatting and content guidelines outlined in the solicitation. The evaluation process will consider scientific merit, technical feasibility, prior experience, and cost reasonableness. Points of contact for this solicitation include Mr. Toby L. Carnes (Contracting Officer, toby.carnes.1@us.af.mil) and Ms. Julie Sosa (Project Manager, julie.sosa.2@us.af.mil). Applicants must monitor SAM.gov for updates, amendments, and new CALLS. The solicitation period is five years from the issuance date, with rolling deadlines as new CALLS are announced.

Offerors are advised to monitor SAM.gov for any amendments or CALLs related to this BAA. Offerors are encouraged to notify the contracting officer of their intent to submit a proposal. The BAA emphasizes the importance of clearly identifying whether the proposed research is fundamental or non-fundamental, as this may affect eligibility and evaluation. It is crucial for offerors to stay informed via SAM.gov to ensure they receive updates and have adequate preparation time for white paper submissions.