Materials Research and Survivability Studies (MaRSS)

The Materials Research and Survivability Studies (MaRSS) Master Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, awarded by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), focuses on advanced materials research and development for national security applications. The contract objective is to conduct research and advance photonic materials technologies, with specific emphasis on improving hardened materials and increasing survivability of sensors, structures, systems, and aircrew members. Key technical areas include optical materials processing, electro-optic/infrared sensor protection, structural protection, computational studies on functional materials, and high energy laser source materials development.

Task orders under this vehicle typically range from $3 million to $9.6 million, with performance periods extending to October 2022 or 2023. Prime contractors include UES Inc. and Azimuth Corporation, a woman-owned small business, who have been awarded multiple cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery orders. The task orders cover specialized research domains such as RF photonics, optical coatings, aircrew protection technologies, novel optical materials, and theoretical studies of functional materials. Performance locations include Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, with the Air Force Materiel Command Research Laboratory serving as the primary funding agency. None of the task orders utilized small business set-asides, indicating open competition among qualified contractors with expertise in advanced materials research and development for defense applications.