Materials Research and Survivability Studies (MaRSS)

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) established this Master IDIQ on October 30, 2015, to conduct research and advance photonic materials technologies for hardened sensors, structures, systems, and aircrew protection. Ordering closed on October 29, 2020—the vehicle is no longer active and has been closed to new task orders for nearly six years.

The vehicle is fully exhausted. Combined obligated dollars total $101.9 million against a combined task-order potential value of $108.1 million (94% drawn down). The last task order awarded January 17, 2020. Activity peaked in 2016 with four orders, declining sharply thereafter to one order in 2020. The vehicle funded 14 task orders total across its five-year ordering window.

All 14 task orders funded AFRL programs directly—no other customer agencies placed orders. Work concentrated on five primary research areas: agile limiters, high-performance optical coatings, visor-based aircrew protection, novel optical materials and ceramics, and RF photonics with hybrid optical apertures. Task orders employed cost-plus-fixed-fee pricing across all awards. No set-asides were used; all awards were unrestricted competitive or sole-source.

Competition concentrated heavily among two primes. Azimuth Corporation won seven orders worth $56.9 million combined potential value (52.6% of total), and Bluehalo, LLC won six orders worth $42.3 million (39.1%). General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. received a single order worth $8.8 million (8.1%). Task-order values ranged from approximately $2.99 million to $9.6 million in ceiling value. Durations typically extended two to three years, with most orders completing between 2019 and 2023.

Since the ordering period closed in 2020, this vehicle presents no active pursuit opportunity. Firms with existing task orders may seek option periods or modifications on outstanding agreements, but no new task orders can be placed.

The objective of this program is to conduct research and advance the current state-of-the-art in photonic materials technologies, interactions, and applications using unique and innovative solutions for improved hardened materials and increased survivability of sensors, structures, systems, and aircrew members. Some of the key technical areas of interest include Optical Materials and Processing, Hardening Materials and Processing, Electro-Optic/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensor Protection, Warfighter Protection, Structural Protection, Optical Technology, Computational and Theoretical Studies on Functional Materials, Proactive Threat Defeat, and High Energy Laser Source Materials.