693KA8-27-T-00003 RCSO AOI - Complexity Of Systems And Operations.pdf

THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION’S

RESEARCH AND COMMERCIAL SOLUTIONS OPENING (RCSO) SOLICITATION

FOR

AREA OF INTEREST (AOI)

COMPLEXITY OF SYSTEMS AND OPERATIONS

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

SOLICITATION # 693KA8-27-T-00003

See BAA-693KA8-26-RCSO for Procedure Details

DATE: October 6, 2026

1 General Information

This solicitation is for Area of Interest (AOI) Complexity of Systems and Operations under the

Broad Agency Announcement BAA-693KA8-26-RCSO - Research And Commercial Solutions

Opening (RCSO). Interested parties should review the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA)

RCSO special posting BAA-693KA8-26-RCSO on SAM.gov in its entirety to obtain the necessary information on the process and evaluation of the RCSO AOI submission.

This RCSO AOI seeks to solicit innovative research/solutions that meet the objectives detailed in

Sections 5.1 – 5.6. The term innovative is defined as any technology, process, or method, including research and development that is new as of the date of proposal submission; or any new application of an existing technology, process or method as of the proposal date.

The FAA is not obligated to extend a request for proposal or make an award as a result of this

RCSO AOI; all awards are subject to the availability of funds and successful negotiations. This

RCSO AOI is not an authorization to begin performance, and in no way obligates the Government for any costs incurred by the Offeror associated with developing a response.

Prior to commencement of any activities associated with performance under this RCSO AOI, the

Government will execute a written Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) award signed by the

Agreements Officer (AO) with appropriate consideration established. The FAA reserves the right to modify the requirements of this RCSO AOI.

1.1 Submission

Responses to this AOI shall be submitted in accordance with the requirements of this AOI and the procedures established in BAA-693KA8-26-RCSO. The RCSO uses a phased process consisting of Phase I - Research/Solution Briefs, Phase II - Pitches, and Phase III - Request for Proposal.

Advancement from one phase to the next is by invitation from the FAA and is based on the

Government's evaluation of the submission under the applicable evaluation procedures.

Participation in a subsequent phase is not guaranteed and does not obligate the FAA to request a proposal or make an award. The FAA will accept and evaluate AOI-specific submissions only after the official AOI solicitation has been issued and only during the submission period identified in the solicitation.

1.1.1 Phase I – Research/Solution Briefs

Phase I begins with the submission of a written Research/Solution Brief. Respondents should identify the relevant topic areas specified in Section 1.4 that is associated with their submission.

The purpose of the brief is to provide the FAA with sufficient information to understand the proposed research or solution, determine its relevance to the AOI problem statement and desired goal, and assess whether the proposed approach warrants further consideration under the RCSO process.

1.1.2 PHASE 1 SOLUTION BRIEF CONTENT

Research/Solution Briefs should not exceed five (5) written pages using 12-point font or, alternatively, Briefs may take the form of briefing slides which should not exceed fifteen (15).

These limits are not requirements but are strongly recommended.

Title Page (does not count against page limit)

Company Name, Title, Date, Point of Contact Name, E-Mail Address, Phone, and Address.

Specifically identify the AOI Topics for which the Solution Brief is submitted. See Section 5.

Executive Summary (one page)

Provide an executive summary of research or technology.

Research (Basic/Applied/Advanced)

Describe the unique aspects of your research and the proposed work as it relates to the AOI. Specify whether the effort involves pilot study or demonstration of existing, validated research methods or findings, or the development of new research approaches with potential aviation relevance. If new research development or adaptation is proposed, outline a recommended path for advancing and validating the research. Clearly identify any elements of the research, data, or methodologies that may be considered proprietary.

Technology Concept

Describe the unique aspects of your technology and the proposed work as it relates to the AOI.

Identify whether the effort includes the pilot or demonstration of existing commercial technology

(identified as commercially ready and viable technology), or the development of technology for potential aviation application. If development or adaptation is proposed, identify a suggested path to mature the technology. Identify aspects which may be considered proprietary.

Company Viability

Provide a brief overview of the company. Provide a summary of current fundraising to date or a summary of the top line (gross sales/revenues). Provide a summary of product commercialization and go-to-market strategy.

1.1.3 PHASE 1 RESEARCH/SOLUTION BRIEF BASIS OF EVALUATION

All Briefs submitted in response to an AOI will be evaluated against the stated criteria below.

1) Research or Solution Brief meets one of FAA’s OTA Qualifiers (Select the one that applies):

•A reimbursable agreement with a non-federal entity where FAA is essentially a contractor and subject to the terms and conditions of the non-federal entity.

•To foster new partnerships and practices with non-traditional government contractors to promote innovative research and state of the art prototypes.

•To create diverse and highly variable business structures such as consortiums that harness disparate types of organizations to maximize the advantages of each and minimize/mitigate the disadvantages of each in facilitating innovation.

•To structure business arrangements to address specific aviation needs and circumstances, e.g., where a private airport retains title to a Medium-Intensity Approach Lighting System with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights (MALSR) and the FAA is responsible for maintenance of the MALSR equipment, construction of a fence, or the laying of cable that would benefit the airport authority (or the general public) and the FAA facility at the airport.

•To leverage commercial industry investment in technology developments.

•To partner with industry to ensure FAA current and future requirements are incorporated into future technology or products that carry out the mission of the agency.

•To conduct basic, applied, and advanced research projects with commercial partners without burdening commercial partners with FAA regulatory overhead, which would make them non-competitive in the commercial sector.

•To direct research related to unmanned aircraft systems, including at any test range in coordination with the Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

2) Relevance of the Research/Solution Brief in addressing the AOI;

3) Company’s approach and/or underlying research or technology is unique, underutilized, or innovative to Government’s application.

4) The Government finds this approach and/or underlying technology to be a compelling solution to the AOI problem statement.

5) Technical Merit and feasibility of the research or solution to address the Government’s AOI problem statement.

Additional technical evaluation criteria specific to a particular research or project may be used. In these instances, the additional criteria will be posted within the AOI announcement on the

SAM.gov website.

Briefs will be evaluated on the basis of the merit of the proposed research or concept in addressing the AOI, not against other Research/Solution Briefs submitted in response to the same AOI.

Additionally, while not overtly stated in AOIs, the Government’s evaluation will consider whether the proposal increases the likelihood of accomplishing the stated aspects of Government’s mission.

FAA can routinely receive more Solution Briefs than has the resources to award. All submissions will be fairly evaluated, however, only a select few will be invited to pitch. The government reserves the right to limit the number of Entities invited to pitch. As such, an entity’s solution may be evaluated to be of merit but not invited to pitch. Briefs that are chosen for Phase 2 Pitches will be notified in writing as soon as practicable.

1.1.4 Submission Requirements

Questions and a written solution must be sent via e-mail with subject line stating

693KA8-27-T-00003 INNOVATIVE RESEARCH/SOLUTION BRIEF - AVIATION

HUMAN FACTORS RESEARCH to Chersharon.y.king@faa.gov. Research/Solution Briefs received after the specified due date and time will be discarded and not be evaluated by the

Government.

RCSO AOI Questions Due Date: October 19, 2026

Phase I – Research/Solutions Briefs Due Date: November 2, 2026

1.1.5 Point of Contact

Agreements Officer (AO): Chersharon.Y.King@faa.gov

2. Problem Statement

Complex systems and operations place increasing demands on pilots, who add flexibility to support safe and effective performance. Pilots routinely adapt to operational variability and handle emergent system behaviors in dynamic, high-tempo environments. Pilots manage unexpected events, troubleshoot situations, and apply knowledge when training and procedures are absent or only partially applicable (FAA, 2013; Chandra et al., 2023). Pilots add a margin of safety through context-dependent assessments, decisions, and actions (Sarter et al., 2023).

FAA and industry experience with complex flight deck systems, automation, software, and operations shows that pilots routinely mitigate safety and operational risks, and that the aviation system is designed to rely on that mitigation (FAA, 2013; FAA 1996; FAA, 2024). As aviation evolves, new ways of using existing systems and equipment are expected to emerge alongside new and novel designs, operating concepts, and other complexity contributors (ICAO, 2024; Chandra, et al., 2017; Chandra, et. al, 2020; Chandra et. al, 2022; FAA, 2026; FAA, 2023a; FAA, 2023b;

FAA, 2022). These developments create implicit expectations that pilots will be able to absorb and manage the effects of increasing complexity-related demands. Supporting safe and effective pilot performance remains a top aviation safety priority (DOT, 2026).

mailto:Chersharon.y.king@faa.gov mailto:Chersharon.Y.King@faa.gov https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/aircraft/air_cert/design_approvals/human_factors/OUFPMS_Report.pdf https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/72503 https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/70401 https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/aircraft/air_cert/design_approvals/human_factors/OUFPMS_Report.pdf https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/2022-11/interfac.pdf https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/step/roadmap_for_AI_safety_assurance https://elibrary.icao.int/reader/510679/&returnUrl%3DaHR0cHM6Ly9lbGlicmFyeS5pY2FvLmludC9wcm9kdWN0LzUxMDY3OQ%3D%3D?productType=ebook https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/12502 https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/12502 https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/43835 https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/60323 https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/hatm https://www.faa.gov/air-taxis/uam_blueprint https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/AAM-I28-Implementation-Plan.pdf https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/ICN-ConOps-Dec2022.pdf https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2026-03/DOT-Strategic-Plan-FY2026-2030.pdf

3. Desired Goal

The desired goal of research topics addressing the Systems and Operations Complexity AOI is to provide the FAA with high-quality human factors data, tools, methodologies, criteria, reports, and other artifacts to empirically identify and evaluate the elements, features, characteristics, and other factors that contribute to complexity from the pilot’s perspective and develop practical ways to safely and effectively manage the difficulties identified. To accomplish this goal, the proposed research topics will:

• Characterize contributors to systems, automation, software, operational, and airspace complexity from the pilot’s perspective.

• Examine how the integration and combination of complexity contributors affect pilot and maintainer performance, and other aviation safety-related considerations.

• Examine how much complexity is too much for safe and effective operations from the pilot’s perspective.

• Translate data, analyses, methods, and findings into actionable tools, products, criteria, and other applied material.

Proposed research topics should result in rigorously documented analyses, data, and reports, accompanied by supporting artifacts that are suitable for potential use by the FAA and General

Public, such as structured datasets, methods, tools, and information resources. Proposed research under this AOI is expected to employ rigorous basic and applied human factors methodologies using qualitative and quantitative approaches, including empirical studies, modeling and simulation for characterization and evaluation, analytic assessments, and verification and validation activities that directly address the problem space.

As a collection, proposed research should provide a foundation for FAA to develop criteria to identify and evaluate complexity from the pilots’ perspective, and to evaluate whether, and to what extent, systems, automation, software, operations, and airspace, individually and in combination, contribute to that complexity.

4. Constraints

The complexity of systems and operations AOI is constrained to aviation safety research that advances the understanding and application of human factors and human performance considerations. Proposed research under this AOI is limited to human factors and human performance considerations from the perspectives of pilots and aircraft maintenance personnel.

5. Proposed Research Topics

The subsequent list of proposed research topics is not intended to be comprehensive. Research addressing other human factors aspects of systems and operations complexity from a flight deck and aviation maintenance perspective will also be considered.

5.1 Topic #1 Multiple Dimensions of Complexity

Aircraft-level complexity; subsystem- and task-level complexity; functional-level complexity;

operations complexity; environment complexity; methods for identifying the relevant and combined dimensions of complexity, and strategies for managing the resulting complexity.

5.2 Topic #2 Representation and Allocation of Complexity

Pilot–machine interfaces and interactions that mask system complexity; oversimplification or obfuscation of system complexity; redistribution of complexity from design to operations, training, and maintenance; methods for identifying the relevant aspects of complexity, and strategies for managing the resulting complexity.

5.3 Topic #3 Increasing Automation and Complexity

Functions that automate manual pilot tasks and sub-tasks (cognitive, psychomotor) using new applications of control and information automation; explainability of complex automation processes; implications of artificial intelligence tools; methods for identifying the relevant aspects of complexity, and strategies for managing the resulting complexity.

5.4 Topic #4: Managing Human Error and Complexity

Monitoring and troubleshooting complex systems; pilot’s and maintainer’s mental model of complex systems; recognition, detection, and understanding of subtle or non-obvious complex system behaviors; methods and practical tools to assess pilots’ monitoring skills, abilities, proficiency, and confidence with complex systems and operations interfaces/interactions; methods for identifying the relevant aspects of complexity, and strategies for managing the resulting complexity.

5.5 Topic #5 Airspace Related Complexity

Airspace complexity; local airport and terminal operations complexity; flightcrew procedure complexity; operations integration complexity; complexity associated with new airspace structures, operating concepts, and new entrants; methods for identifying the relevant aspects of complexity, and strategies for managing the resulting complexity.

5.6 Topic #6 Aircraft-Air Traffic Control Integration Complexity

Asynchronous modernization complexity; socio-technical systems complexity; air/ground integration complexity; methods for identifying the relevant aspects of complexity, and strategies for managing the resulting complexity.

6. Program Information

The systems and operations complexity AOI supports the goals and objectives of the FAA Flight

Deck/Maintenance/System Integration Human Factors Program. Section 3.1 provides a description of the Program, and how the research results will be used.

6.1 Research Program Objectives

The Flight Deck/Maintenance/System/Integration Human Factors Program conducts mandatory aviation safety research to advance the understanding of human factors and its applications, and human performance considerations directly relevant to design, production, training, operations, maintenance, and safety oversight ([49 U.S.C. § 44505(b)–(c)]; [49 U.S.C. § 40101]). Resultant data and technical information provide a basis for developing, retaining, applying, and modernizing the human factors aspects of FAA regulations, processes, guidance, standards, recommended practices, checklists, and other practical tools that advance the aviation safety mission. Through applied research, this program aims to anticipate and address human factors considerations before systems, equipment, and new types of operations enter service, and to manage emergent risks in operations, supporting proactive resolution of human factors issues to maintain a high level of safety.

7. Reference Material

Section 7.1 provides a table with generic examples of national airspace system (NAS) plans, concepts, frameworks, and other material that may directly or indirectly relate to the systems and operations complexity AOI. These examples are illustrative and not intended to limit research proposals or imply a priority. Research proposals are not required to cite or reference these examples.

7.1 Table 1 Illustrative Material

Example Plans, Concepts, Frameworks, & Other

Material Link to Source Material

Advanced air mobility (AAM) implementation plan, Version 1.0: Near-term (Innovate28) focus with an eye on the future of AAM https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/

AAM-I28-Implementation-Plan.pdf

Initial concept of operations for an information-centric National Airspace System https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/I

CN-ConOps-Dec2022.pdf https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title49-section44505&num=0&edition=prelim https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title49-section40101&num=0&edition=prelim https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/AAM-I28-Implementation-Plan.pdf https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/AAM-I28-Implementation-Plan.pdf

Example Plans, Concepts, Frameworks, & Other

Material Link to Source Material

Urban air mobility (UAM) concept of operations

(ConOps) (Version 2.0) https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/

Urban%20Air%20Mobility%20(UAM)

%20Concept%20of%20Operations%20

2.0_0.pdf

Commercial space integration into the National

Airspace System (CSINAS): Concept of operations https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/s pace/airspace_integration/Final_CSINA

S_ConOps.pdf

Higher airspace traffic management (HATM) concept of operations (Version 2.0) https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_oper ations/higher_airspace/HATM_ConOps

_v2.pdf

Existing communication technologies for Upper

Class E Traffic Management (ETM) https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_oper ations/upper_class_etm/ETM-Comm-

Technologies.pdf

Existing navigation technologies for Upper Class

ETM

https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_oper ations/upper_class_etm/ETM-NAV-

Technologies.pdf

Existing surveillance technologies for Upper Class

ETM

https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_oper ations/upper_class_etm/ETM-

Surveillance-Technologies.pdf

Upper Class ETM communications, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) white paper: Summary report https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_oper ations/upper_class_etm/ETM-CNS-

White-Paper-Summary-Report.pdf

FAA Human Factors Research Engineering

Development and Advisory Committee (REDAC)

Past Meeting Presentations https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/he adquarters_offices/ang/redac#humanFac tors

FAA NAS Operations REDAC Aviation Research

Strategy Presentation https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/he adquarters_offices/ang/redac/REDAC-

AVS-Research-Strategy-NAS-Ops-

202403

Human Factors in Aviation Safety (AVS) Website https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/des ign_approvals/human_factors

FAA Air Carrier Training Aviation Rulemaking

Committee Products https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/des ign_approvals/human_factors

FAA Performance-Based Aviation Rulemaking

Committee (PARC) Products https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/he adquarters_offices/avs/offices/afx/afs/af s400/parc/parc_reco

FAA Roadmap for Artificial Intelligence Safety

Assurance Version I https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/ste p/roadmap_for_AI_safety_assurance

Safety Framework for Aircraft Automation https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/ste p/safety_framework_aircraft_automatio n https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/Urban%20Air%20Mobility%20(UAM)%20Concept%20of%20Operations%202.0_0.pdf https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/Urban%20Air%20Mobility%20(UAM)%20Concept%20of%20Operations%202.0_0.pdf https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/Urban%20Air%20Mobility%20(UAM)%20Concept%20of%20Operations%202.0_0.pdf https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/Urban%20Air%20Mobility%20(UAM)%20Concept%20of%20Operations%202.0_0.pdf https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/space/airspace_integration/Final_CSINAS_ConOps.pdf https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/space/airspace_integration/Final_CSINAS_ConOps.pdf https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/space/airspace_integration/Final_CSINAS_ConOps.pdf https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/higher_airspace/HATM_ConOps_v2.pdf https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/higher_airspace/HATM_ConOps_v2.pdf https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/higher_airspace/HATM_ConOps_v2.pdf https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/upper_class_etm/ETM-Comm-Technologies.pdf https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/upper_class_etm/ETM-Comm-Technologies.pdf https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/upper_class_etm/ETM-Comm-Technologies.pdf https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/upper_class_etm/ETM-NAV-Technologies.pdf https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/upper_class_etm/ETM-NAV-Technologies.pdf https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/upper_class_etm/ETM-NAV-Technologies.pdf https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/upper_class_etm/ETM-Surveillance-Technologies.pdf https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/upper_class_etm/ETM-Surveillance-Technologies.pdf https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/upper_class_etm/ETM-Surveillance-Technologies.pdf https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/upper_class_etm/ETM-CNS-White-Paper-Summary-Report.pdf https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/upper_class_etm/ETM-CNS-White-Paper-Summary-Report.pdf https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/upper_class_etm/ETM-CNS-White-Paper-Summary-Report.pdf https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ang/redac#humanFactors https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ang/redac#humanFactors https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ang/redac#humanFactors https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ang/redac/REDAC-AVS-Research-Strategy-NAS-Ops-202403 https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ang/redac/REDAC-AVS-Research-Strategy-NAS-Ops-202403 https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ang/redac/REDAC-AVS-Research-Strategy-NAS-Ops-202403 https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ang/redac/REDAC-AVS-Research-Strategy-NAS-Ops-202403 https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/design_approvals/human_factors https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/design_approvals/human_factors https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/afx/afs/afs200/afs280/act_arc/act_arc_reco https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/afx/afs/afs200/afs280/act_arc/act_arc_reco https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/afx/afs/afs400/parc/parc_reco https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/afx/afs/afs400/parc/parc_reco https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/afx/afs/afs400/parc/parc_reco https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/step/roadmap_for_AI_safety_assurance https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/step/roadmap_for_AI_safety_assurance https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/step/safety_framework_aircraft_automation https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/step/safety_framework_aircraft_automation https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/step/safety_framework_aircraft_automation

Example Plans, Concepts, Frameworks, & Other

Material Link to Source Material

Listing of Significant Documents https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies

/federal-aviation-administration#significant-documents

8. Follow-on Production

Companies or Organizations are advised that a prototype OTA awarded in response to this AOI can lead directly to follow-on production contract(s) or OTA(s) available for use by multiple organizations across other Federal Government Agencies. Any follow-on production award may occur without the use of further competitive procedures in accordance with the FAA OTA Guide.

9. TIPS FOR SUBMISSION:

9.1 Phase I – Research/Solution Briefs

Be specific: Clearly address the problem outlined in your research or solution. Responses should be focused and tailored—general or open-ended offers to build “anything needed” are not sufficient.

Provide relevant company information: Include your full legal company name, a brief history, number of employees, and identifiers such as a CAGE code or UEI (if applicable). Summarize your current funding stage and, if available, identify key team members who will support the proposed effort.

Highlight your research or Demonstrate your technology: Highlight research or technologies that are currently in process or developed or in production and explain how they apply to the stated problem. Emphasize innovative research or unique features of a solution and commercial viability and explicitly align it with the technical requirements of the AOI.

Emphasize differentiation: Research is differentiated based on its purpose, approach, and stage of development. Solutions that are widely available commercially or require no further development in the Federal space are generally not compelling. Similarly, rebranded or aggregated existing government solutions are unlikely to be considered innovative.

Include real-world evidence: Provide examples of achieved research with results or solutions with actual deployments, use cases, or past performance that demonstrate your research or solution’s viability. Prior government experience is not required, but for the solution it should be proven beyond a conceptual stage.

Show market traction: For research, it can demonstrate market traction by showing that the idea or technology is not just theoretically sound, but already gaining interest, validation, or adoption in the real world. This typically involves tying technical progress to measurable signals of demand and use. For solutions, summarize revenue, sales, or fundraising efforts to date, including investors https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/federal-aviation-administration#significant-documents https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/federal-aviation-administration#significant-documents https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/federal-aviation-administration#significant-documents or funding rounds where applicable. Include information on commercialization progress, future roadmap, and go-to-market strategy.

Meet submission deadlines: Ensure timely submission, as extensions are rarely granted. Avoid last-minute submissions to reduce the risk of errors or technical issues.

9.2 Phase II – Pitches:

Focus on the problem:

This is not an investor pitch—it is your opportunity to demonstrate how and why your solution addresses the Government’s specific need. Be direct and stay focused on the problem outlined in the AOI.

Use demonstrations when possible:

Whenever feasible, include live or recorded demonstrations to validate your claims. Incorporating sample data and real-world use cases—particularly results of research or from commercial applications—can significantly strengthen your presentation.

Communicate clearly and be ready for questions:

Present technical concepts in a way that is accessible to a broad audience, while still providing sufficient depth for technical evaluators. Be prepared to answer questions on your research, technology, business model, company viability, schedule, and overall approach. Ensure appropriate technical personnel are available to support the discussion.

Present a cohesive team (if applicable):

If proposing as a team, clearly define each member’s role and demonstrate how the team integrates into a unified, effective solution.

Leverage your invitation materials:

Review your pitch invitation carefully, as it may contain additional details beyond the original solicitation. Use this information to refine and tailor your presentation.

Address all evaluation criteria:

Your pitch should clearly cover:

1) Relevance of the pitch in addressing the AOI.

2) The solution has technical merit, adequately addresses Government need and is feasible.

3) Evaluation of company viability.

4) Company’s or Organization’s approach is unique, underutilized, or innovative to Government application and is a compelling solution to the Government problem.

5) The Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) is acceptable or unacceptable.

6) The notional schedule is acceptable or unacceptable.

7) The potential impact of data rights assertions, if applicable.

Ensure your presentation is complete, focused, and aligned with these criteria to support a thorough and competitive evaluation.

https://aaf.dau.mil/ot-guide/ https://aaf.dau.mil/ot-guide/

9.3 Phase III – Request For Proposal

Ensure your technical proposal aligns with the submissions from the previous phases and addresses the Government’s problem statement/need.

Costs will be evaluated based on stated criteria in the BAA.