Effective Sensor Technology Evaluations and Enabling Methodologies (ESTEEM)

The Air Force Research Laboratory established this Master IDIQ on June 15, 2018, with a shared ceiling of $45.6 million to conduct research into advanced assessment and evaluation methodologies for sensor technologies. The vehicle's ordering period closed on June 14, 2023, and no new task orders may be placed against it. All three task orders were awarded on the establishment date; the most recent work activity ended in June 2024, with one remaining delivery order extending through September 2026.

The ESTEEM program funds research methodologies for rapid assessments and evaluations of advanced sensor and electronic warfare technologies through synthetic battlespace simulation, including man- and hardware-in-the-loop demonstrations. Task orders focus on signal simulation methodologies and anti-access area denial prototyping evaluations. All three delivery orders are cost-plus-fixed-fee arrangements with no set-aside designations.

Work is narrowly concentrated among three primes. HII Mission Technologies Corp holds the largest single order, with $14.9 million in potential value and $14.8 million obligated for anti-access area denial research. KBR Wyle Services, LLC was awarded $6.8 million in potential value ($2.9 million obligated) for signal simulation work. Defense Research Associates Inc. received $5.4 million in potential value ($5.1 million obligated) for a second signal simulation task. All ordering has flowed to the Air Force Research Laboratory itself; no cross-agency customers appear in the portfolio.

The vehicle has obligated $22.9 million of its $27.1 million combined task-order potential value, representing 85 percent utilization of contracted ceilings. No new ordering activity has occurred since the initial three awards. The shared ceiling of $45.6 million against the vehicle as a whole exceeds the combined task-order potential, suggesting room for additional orders existed during the open ordering window, but that window has closed.

The objective of the Effective Sensor Technology Evaluations and Enabling Methodologies (ESTEEM) Program is to conduct research into advanced assessment and evaluation methodologies. The ESTEEM Program will include the development and use of improved methodologies that provide for more effective and efficient analyses and evaluations of advanced sensor technologies.