AFRL Industry Forum Slides (4).pdf

WELCOME

30 JULY 2025

AFRL INDUSTRY FORUM

Dr. Kevin T. Geiss SES, Acting Executive Director, AFRL

Edit distribution statement in the slide master

AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY

SMALL BUSINESS & STRATEGIC PARTNERING

B R I A N M C J I LT O N , D I R E C T O R

J U L 2 0 2 5

Our reasons for being. . .

Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited (AFRL-2023-4493) 12 Sep 2023

5Distribution A

AF MAJCOM and Center Structure

AFRL

Research & Development

AFLCMC

Life Cyle Mgt Weapon

Systems

AFSC

Sustainment-Maintenance

AFIMSC

Airfields-Infrastructure

AFNWC

Nuclear Readiness

AFTC

Test & Evaluation

Air Force Research Laboratory

Air Force Lifecycle

Management Center

Air Force Sustainment

Center

Air Force Installation &

Mission Support Center

Air Force Test Center

Air Force Nuclear Weapons

Center

Kirkland AFB, NMEdwards AFB, CALackland AFB, TXTinker AFB, OKWPAFB, OHWPAFB, OH

WPAFB, OH

AFMC

Air Force Materiel Command

Department of the

Air Force Washington, DC

ACC AETC AFGSC AFRC AMC PACAF

Air Education Test Center

Pacific Air Forces

SSC

Space Sys Cmd

Air Mobility

Command

Air Force Reserve

Command Air Combat Command

SpOC

Space System Command

Space Operations Command

Air Force Global Strike

Command

Applied Research

Technologies

Applying knowledge or understanding to determine the means by which a recognized and specific need may be met

Science to Application

Investment Categories

Advanced Technology Development Capability Concepts

The development and integration of hardware for field experiments and tests

From Application to Capability

6.2 6.3 Basic Research

Science Knowledge

Greater knowledge or understanding fundamental aspects

Observable facts

Without specific applications toward processes or products

New Science

6.1 Other AF Funds Executed Operational Development / Experimentation

• Research, Development, Test and Evaluation

• Strategic Development Planning

Experimentation

• Small Business Innovation

Research Program

• Air Force Surgeon General

Experimentation

Non S&T

Distribution A. Approved for public release: distribution unlimited. (AFRL-2021-1145) 8 Apr 2021

Accelerating S&T Starts with a Strong Technical Foundation

AFRL on the Forefront of Space Technology

Some AFRL Research Facilities

Edwards

AFB

VIRGINIA

Kirtland

AFB

AFRL Locations

HAWAII

INFORMATION

Ft. Sam Houston

AF OFFICE OF

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

NEW YORK

USAF School of

Aerospace Medicine *Airman Systems

Wright- Patterson

AFB

*AEROSPACE

SYSTEMS

MATERIALS &

MANUFACTURINGHEADQUARTERS

SPACE VEHICLES

DIRECTED ENERGY

Eglin

AFB

TENNESSEE

MUNITIONS

FLORIDANEW MEXICO

OHIO

Rome

Arlington

CALIFORNIA

TEXAS

Arnold AFB London, UK Tokyo, Japan Santiago, Chile

Las Vegas

AFWERX

Austin

NEVADA

Las Vegas, NV Austin, TX

Washington D.C.

*AEROSPACE

SYSTEMS WEST

AIRMAN SYSTEMS

*AEROSPACE

SYSTEMS

DIRECTED ENERGY

Maui Research Site

**HUMAN

PERFORMANCE

**HUMAN

PERFORMANCE

SENSORS

Distribution A. Approved for public release: distribution unlimited. (AFRL-2021-1145) 8 Apr 2021

11Distribution A

Mission - Maximizing innovative, cost-effective, and customer-focused small business solutions to maintain national security dominance through our Air & Space Forces.

Vision - Together, AFRL and small businesses, driving Air and Space Force innovation and excellence.

How to Connect:

AFRL Small Business Inbox - afrl.sb.questions@us.af.mil

AFRL Small Business (SB) Hub - https://afrlsbhub.com/

• Acquisition Team Member (Internal)

• Advocacy, Advisory, Training (Internal / External)

• Maximize prime & sub-contracting opportunities

• Outreach & Engagement

• Small Business Programs & Pilots (Opps / Growth)

• Connections internal to AFRL and to Large Business mailto:afrl.sb.questions@us.af.mil https://afrlsbhub.com/

12Distribution A

AFRL SB Portfolio & FY24 Execution – What We Buy Procurements - R&D, Products, and Services Breakout

$2.2B

SB $2.2B

All $5.4B

$971M

$1.2B

$0

$1

$2

$3

$4

$5

$6

Total $ Obligated SB $ Obligated

Bi lli on s

SB Dollars Obligated

ALL Dollars Obligated

SB Non-SBIR $ Obligated

SBIR/STTR $ Obligated

4%

69%

28%

Category % of Dollars Obligated (Non-SBIR)

PRODUCTS

R&D

SERVICES

R&D Top NAICS Codes

• 54 – Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services

• 928 – National Security & International Affairs

• 927 – Space Research & Technology

• 61 – Education Services

Top PSC – R&D Services

• AC – National Defense

• AJ – General Science and Technology

• AG – Energy

Services Top NAICS Codes

• 54 & 56 – Professional & Business Services

• 517 – Telecommunications

• 238 – Specialty Trade Contractors

Top PSC

• Category R: Support - Professional/Administrative/Management

• Category D: Information Technology and Telecommunications

• Category Z: Maintenance, Repair, Alteration of Structures/Facilities

AFRL SB Portfolio & FY24 Execution (con’t) Industry & Procurement Data - R&D and Services

Distribution A

Codes

NAICS - North American Industry Classification System; PSC - Product Service Code

14Distribution A

AF Small Business MAJCOM Structure and POCs

AFRL

Research & Development

AFLCMC

Life Cyle Mgt Weapon

Systems

AFSC

Sustainment-Maintenance

AFIMSC

Airfields-Infrastructure

AFNWC

Nuclear Readiness

AFTC

Test & Evaluation

Director Brian McJilton

Director Luke Schultz

Director Ronald Hobbs

Director Greg Santiago

(Acting) Director Shelley White

Director Robert Acosta roberto.acosta.2@us.af.mil Kirkland AFB, NM

Shelley.white.2@us.af.mil Edwards AFB, CA gregory.santiago.2@us.af.mil Lackland AFB, TX ronald.hobbs@us.af.mil Tinker AFB, OK luke.schultz@us.af.mil

WPAFB, OH

Brian.mcjilton@us.af.mil

WPAFB, OH

AFMC

luke.schultz@us.af.mil WPAFB, Ohio

Director (Acting) Luke Schultz

Air Force Small Business

HQ

Washington, DC

Director Scott Kiser (SES)

ACC AETC AFGSC AFRC AMC PACAF

Director Regina Blue

Director Harry Loughran

Director Ailie Souriolle

SSC

Space Sys Cmd

Director Elizabeth Cardenas

Director Myaleca Malone

Director Tonney Kawuh

FIND AF SMALL BUSINESS POC: https://www.airforcesmallbiz.af.mil/Resources/Locate-Small-Business-Professional/

SpOC

Director Aaron Parra

Director Reggie Selby mailto:roberto.acosta.2@us.af.mil mailto:cynthia.randall@us.af.mil mailto:gregory.santiago.2@us.af.mil mailto:ronald.hobbs@us.af.mil mailto:luke.schultz@us.af.mil mailto:Brian.mcjilton@us.af.mil mailto:luke.schultz@us.af.mil

15Distribution A

Small Business – Opportunities to Engage Advocate and advise small businesses towards engagement and opportunity pathways with AFRL & Air Force:

Contracts/Grants/Broad Area Announcements (BAAs)

• System for Award Management - www.sam.gov

• www.grants.gov

• Small business can sub-contract with domestic/International universities

Air Force Small Business Funding Programs - Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI), & Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI)

• AFWERX - www.AFWERX.com

AFRL Small Business Hub - www.afrlsbhub.com

Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN): www.ohiofrn.org A collaborative research hub designed to expand Ohio’s cutting-edge research capability and create new economic opportunities in the areas of defense, aerospace, energy, and health

Coming Soon – Fall 2025! (Free) Acquisition Technology Acceleration Program (AcqTAP)

Air Force Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP)

Pairs small businesses (protégés) with large businesses (mentors) to enhance protégé capabilities and competitiveness for Air Force contracts through project-based developmental assistance.

http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.afwerx.com/ http://www.afrlsbhub.com/ http://www.ohiofrn.org/

16Distribution A

Small Business – Other Pathways Advocate and advise small businesses towards engagement and opportunity pathways with AFRL & Air Force:

AFRL Regional Networks – Midwest (Purdue) & Mid-Atlantic (Cornell)

• https://midwesthub.afresearchlab.com/ afrlmwst@purdue.edu

• https://www.midatlantichub.afresearchlab.com/

Dept. Air Force (DAF) Technology Transfer and Transition (T3) – manages and supports Technology Transfer (T2) activities and mechanisms, to include the Partnership Intermediary Agreements (PIAs) www.AFT3.af.mil

Air Force and Space Force Tech Connect – https://airforcetechconnect.org/

Defense Innovation Marketplace: https://defenseinnovationmarketplace.dtic.mil/ Defense Innovation Marketplace Government Portal: https://defenseinnovationmarketplace.dtic.mil/government-portal/ DTIC registration: https://discover.dtic.mil/dtic-registration/ Team Email: afrl.hq.irdpm@us.af.mil https://midwesthub.afresearchlab.com/ mailto:afrlmwst@purdue.edu https://www.midatlantichub.afresearchlab.com/ http://www.aft3.af.mil/ https://airforcetechconnect.org/ https://defenseinnovationmarketplace.dtic.mil/ https://defenseinnovationmarketplace.dtic.mil/government-portal/ https://discover.dtic.mil/dtic-registration/ mailto:afrl.hq.irdpm@us.af.mil

Helpful Tips

18DISTRIBUTION A

AFRL Example, How To SAM.gov AFRL LOCATION DoDAACs

AFWERX (RG) FA8649,

FA2280

WPAFB

FA2377

FA2391

FA2396

FA2394

FA2384

FA8650

FA2385

EGLIN (RW) FA8651,

FA2823

ROME (RI) FA8750

FA8751

KIRTLAND (RD &

RV)

FA9451

FA9453

AFOSR -

WASHINGTON

DC

FA9550

FA8655

FA2386

FA4869

Edwards AFB

(RQ) FA9300

• Click “Search”

OR

• In Search field, enter respective AFRL DoDAAC to view available solicitation opportunities in Results window

AFRL Example, How To SAM.gov (con’t)

Searched an AFRL DoDAACs

Search Results – five solicitation opportunities

AFRL Directorate/Wing Announcement/Opportunity Title Addt. Information

711TH Human Performance Wing

(HPW)

Multiple Authority Announcement

(MAA)

Continuing Human Enabling, Enhancing, Restoring, and Sustainment (CHEERS)

AFRL.711HPW.MAA

@us.af.mil

Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

(FA2384-24-S-2334)

CHEERS MAA Open Period 1 - All Technical Areas, 10 U.S.C. 4001 Broad Agency Announcement

LINK

Advanced Research Announcement

(ARA) (FA2384-24-S-2335)

CHEERS MAA Open Period 2 - All Technical Areas, 10 U.S.C. 4023 - Procurement for Experimental Purposes

LINK

Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)

(FA2384-24-S-2336)

CHEERS MAA Open Period 3 - All Technical Areas, 10 U.S.C 3458 - Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)

LINK

BAA (FA8650-20-S-6008) Airman Readiness Medical Research (ARMR) LINK

ARA - Hybrid (FA8650-21-S-6005) Advanced Development of Enhanced Operator Capabilities (ADEOC)

LINK

Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)

BAA (FA9550-23-S-0001) Research Interests of the AFOSR LINK

Grant (NOFOAFRLAFOSR20250001) Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Directors' Research Initiative (DRI) – Energy for Agility

LINK

Integrated Capabilities Directorate (AFRL/RS)

MAA (FA2385-24-S-9701) Rapid Advanced Capability Transition (ReACT) LINK

MAA (FA2385-24-S-9760) Ephemeral Paragon (E-Gon) LINK mailto:AFRL.711HPW.MAA@us.af.mil mailto:AFRL.711HPW.MAA@us.af.mil https://sam.gov/opp/27f0534894c64aa2a1d043ac56e256bf/view https://sam.gov/opp/a9e916fd2a084951adbcf0f83a82531a/view https://sam.gov/opp/bc7252f0517b48d983c63265bffbd82b/view https://sam.gov/opp/0b4383bf1616414b9fbd34d35e8e2d71/view https://sam.gov/opp/d046d09889ee44f682e165e488234b48/view https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/345653 https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/357934 https://sam.gov/opp/714585009afc49fe818582a173be8cf9/view https://sam.gov/opp/daa1e2b00d7c4fff9ebbf0abdf53977c/view

AFRL Directorate/Wing Announcement/Opportunity Title Addt.

Information

Information (AFRL/RI) Notice ID (AFRL-BAA-GUIDE) AFRL BAA Guide for Industry and Proposal Preparation Instructions for the Information Directorate, AFRL, Rome NY

LINK

Connectivity and Dissemination (CAD)

Funding Opportunity Announcement

(FOA) (FA8750-21-S-7007)

AFRL Regional Research Convergence Hub

(ARRCH)

LINK

BAA (FA8750-22-S-7006) Adaptive Waveform Generation for Extreme RF

(AWGER)

LINK

BAA (FA8750-23-S-7001) Quantum Information Sciences LINK

BAA (FA8750-23-S-7002) Aerial Layer Networking & Transmission Technologies

LINK

ARA (FA8750-24-S-7007) Signals Intelligence Focused Technologies for Exploitation and Reporting (SIFTER)

LINK

BAA (FA8750-23-S-7009) Ultra-broadband Terahertz Radio Development LINK

Processing and Exploitation (PEX)

BAA (FA8750-20-S-7014) Collaborative Sensing & Exploitation LINK

BAA (FA8750-20-S-7015) Electronic Intelligence Information Exploitation LINK https://sam.gov/opp/38ad71a3720a42619e5f76621b072b63/view https://sam.gov/opp/8ddf8733fab244289fdb4bdff357fe00/view https://sam.gov/opp/979bf6821e7e4c848f48d13531cb33d7/view https://sam.gov/opp/f6410ca73283492b9337f67f45edea96/view https://sam.gov/opp/90fac2ae38d04307b466694fb24e4c75/view https://sam.gov/opp/d83b6f03724149cd9f4b60d7397e688c/view https://sam.gov/opp/782d5cfadbda41329dbc9d20283f8b1d/view https://sam.gov/opp/d81f074b386d49f0a8aa5c91844546a7/view https://sam.gov/opp/53b89a6c1be444c089835aa555af083d/view

AFRL Directorate/Wing Announcement/Opportunit y

Title Addt.

Information

Information (AFRL/RI) Processing and Exploitation (PEX) – con’t

BAA (FA8750-20-S-7018) Advanced Tracking Architectures using Artificial Intelligence

(ATA-AI)

LINK

BAA (FA8750-20-S-7019) Low Size, Weight and Power (SWaP), Cross-Domain System Architectures

LINK

BAA (FA8750-21-S-7002) SIGINT Solutions for Evolving Scenarios (SESS) LINK

BAA (FA8750-21-S-7004) Multi-Source, Multi-Domain Data Exploitation for Battlespace Awareness and Decision

LINK

BAA (FA8750-21-S-7006) Geospatial Intelligence Processing and Exploitation (GeoPEX)

LINK

BAA (FA8750-22-S-7002) Signals Information Exploitation Technology Enhancements LINK

BAA (FA8750-23-S-7004) Extreme Computing LINK

BAA (FA8750-23-S-7008) Adaptive Fusion & Reasoning of Multi-Source Data (AFAR) LINK

BAA (FA8750-23-S-7005) Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Solutions for Evolving Scenarios (SESS)

LINK

Autonomy, Command & Control, & Decision Support

(AC2)

BAA (FA8750-23-S-7006) Artificial Intelligence and Next Generation Distributed Command and Control

LINK

BAA (FA8750-24-S-7003) Coordinating Austere Nodes through Virtualization and Analysis of Streams (CANVAS)

LINK

BAA (FA8750-22-S-7001) Fight Tonight LINK https://sam.gov/opp/7d3b3dc8de504b258dca9b654055f85f/view https://sam.gov/opp/e18d11acd3a44646b0c5bf5232e82c13/view https://sam.gov/opp/578eb15d62de486e9ecd125285e825aa/view https://sam.gov/opp/c917f9b1f9544a91bb45652221f72d40/view https://sam.gov/opp/a3091113907a47689a530a8c711397d0/view https://sam.gov/opp/c2649cfd6f804a64b3fbf7f4d6c1a2c2/view https://sam.gov/opp/93ef7a03555941dba5e31af557c03093/view https://sam.gov/opp/f0572fa2dedb4de79b5c9acb6c35a294/view https://sam.gov/opp/578eb15d62de486e9ecd125285e825aa/view https://sam.gov/opp/b66a794cbce1413890021f4148f2d1ef/view https://sam.gov/opp/dad5c06c9ce54d7aa8b4b9ed6f63eeee/view https://sam.gov/opp/7e79688ad0714edab51f0cfc99dbe183/view

Information

Munitions (AFRL/RW) BAA (FA8651-25-S-0001) Air Dominance LINK

BAA (FA8651-22-S-0001) Air Delivered Effects LINK

Materials & Manufacturing

(AFRL/RX)

MAA (FA2394-24-R-B003) Materials and Manufacturing Directorate Multiple-Authority Announcement (MAA)

LINK

BAAs (FA8650-21-S-5001) Manufacturing Research and Technology Development

LINK

LINK- 2

ARA (FA8650-18-S-5008) Government Requirement for Advanced Power and Energy (GRAPE)

LINK

Sensors (AFRL/RY) BAA (FA8650-21-S-1180) Multi-Spectral Sensing Technologies Research and Development (MUSTER)

LINK

ARA (FA8650-20-S-1958) Trusted and Elastic Military Platforms and Electronic Warfare (EW) System Technologies

(TEMPEST)

LINK

BAA (FA8650-22-S-1004) Kaiju LINK

ARA (FA8650-19-S-1932) Microelectronics Innovation for Next-generation System Advancement and Validation (MINSAV)

LINK

Directed Energy (AFRL/RD) BAA (FA9451-22-S-0001) High Power Electromagnetics (HPEM) Modeling and Effects

LINK

BAA (FA9451-24-S-0001) Tactical – reference #14 Topic Area Groups (TAG) LINK

ARA (FA9451-21-S-0001) Directed Energy Technology Experimentation Research (DETER)

LINK

https://sam.gov/opp/8550d701c98a474bab4cdbb4e3ad2663/view https://sam.gov/opp/994c6b32888542af9771591893fb80e5/view https://sam.gov/opp/b95ddb585e624e549952112dd61408dd/view https://sam.gov/opp/2bbc1c2ae80040a2a86df99a75491748/view https://sam.gov/opp/cad27df97e3f4f8ba634c56f7e0f5ff7/view https://sam.gov/opp/a12b0e785fff40ffbaf94bd803917b25/view https://sam.gov/opp/34d1dcbda7b34736beec84069544874a/view https://sam.gov/opp/a7c4db3449c04a5894305c243f3795b0/view https://sam.gov/opp/08ef20e00ef84e4b9c3ed8dc7ae52b6f/view https://sam.gov/opp/a9abaca699b14d6ea88de71888d72e32/view https://sam.gov/opp/f347522964e4467e909809391fd8bc7e/view https://sam.gov/opp/b81b3e97f27845e4ae07b6d1d513cf02/view https://sam.gov/opp/0ce695b67ef84fc08ea3453a8e685ccb/view

Information

Space Vehicles (AFRL/RV) ARA (FA9453-23-R-A004) Neutron Strategic Technology Advanced Research (Neutron-STAR)

LINK

ARA (FA9453-19-S-0002) Space Technology Advanced Research (STAR) LINK

ARA (FA9453-21-S-0001) Space Technology Advanced Research-Fast- Tracking Innovative Software and Hardware (STAR-

FISH)

LINK

Aerospace Systems (AFRL/RQ) BAA (FA2391-23-S-2403) Pioneering Aerospace Capabilities, Engineering and Research (PACER)

LINK

Email -

AFRL.RQ.PACERBAA

@us.af.mil

AFRL/RQ – West (Edwards AFB) BAA (FA9300-19-S001/BAA-RQR- 2019-0001)

Space Propulsion Research and Innovation for Neutralizing Satellite Threats (SPRINT)

LINK

AFRL/RQ – West (Edwards AFB) BAA (FA9300-20-S-0001) AFRL Rocket Lab Hermes LINK https://sam.gov/opp/380c281956e64bdf80cb61cbc578fb0e/view https://sam.gov/opp/b266dcbfe68f469c864e8ebb73219ef8/view https://sam.gov/opp/13ea64971da047b4b7afdb6d7c32e931/view https://sam.gov/opp/060da634957340a8a9e43ea9ca3a3c99/view mailto:AFRL.RQ.PACERBAA@us.af.mil mailto:AFRL.RQ.PACERBAA@us.af.mil https://sam.gov/opp/5743409eb6014964a3f0c573c30e3a04/view https://sam.gov/opp/b1aacaa5ab6f4a8386f919b25e2011a0/view

25DISTRIBUTION A

AF - https://www.airforcesmallbiz.af.mil/ Inbox - SAF.SB.workflow@us.af.mil

AFMC - https://www.afmc.af.mil/About-Us/Small-Business/ Inbox - afmc.sb.workflow@us.af.mil

AFIMSC – https://www.afimsc.af.mil/About-Us/Doing-Business-with-AFIMSC/ Various SBO Teams, see website

AFLCMC - https://www.aflcmc.af.mil/Small-Business-Office/ Inbox - aflcmc.sb.org.mailbox@us.af.mil

AFNWC – https://www.afnwc.af.mil/Weapon-Systems/ Inbox - AFNWC.SB.Workflow@us.af.mil

AFRL – https://www.afrl.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Fact-Sheet-Display/Article/2326713/afrl-small-business-office/

Inbox - afrl.sb.questions@us.af.mil AFSC – https://www.afsc.af.mil/Units/SBO/

Inbox - afsc.sb.workflow@us.af.mil AFTC - https://www.aftc.af.mil/About-Us/AFTC-Headquarters/Small-Business-Office-SB/

Inbox - AFFTC.DesertOpportunities@us.af.mil

Air Force Command & Center Small Business Offices https://www.airforcesmallbiz.af.mil/ mailto:SAF.SB.workflow@us.af.mil https://www.afmc.af.mil/About-Us/Small-Business/ mailto:afmc.sb.workflow@us.af.mil https://www.afimsc.af.mil/About-Us/Doing-Business-with-AFIMSC/ https://www.aflcmc.af.mil/Small-Business-Office/ mailto:aflcmc.sb.org.mailbox@us.af.mil https://www.afnwc.af.mil/Weapon-Systems/ mailto:AFNWC.SB.Workflow@us.af.mil https://www.afrl.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Fact-Sheet-Display/Article/2326713/afrl-small-business-office/ https://www.afrl.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Fact-Sheet-Display/Article/2326713/afrl-small-business-office/ mailto:afrl.sb.questions@us.af.mil https://www.afsc.af.mil/Units/SBO/ mailto:afsc.sb.workflow@us.af.mil https://www.aftc.af.mil/About-Us/AFTC-Headquarters/Small-Business-Office-SB/ mailto:AFFTC.DesertOpportunities@us.af.mil

• Utilize the website links to research and learn more about AFRL

• Identify areas where your technology/services align to AFRL interest areas

• Educating your team on government acquisitions & their processes

• Government acquisitions are not fast – stay patient and persistent

• Go to where your customers go (e.g., events, consortiums, innovation hubs)

• Have a strong Capability Statement – expressing value-add to target customer(s)

Closing Recommendations

Distribution A

Codes

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO LEVERAGE YOUR AFRL SMALL BUSINESS STAFF – NO BUSINESS IS TOO SMALL!

Q&A 10 Minutes

Overview

COL NATHAN STUCKEY

Director, AFWERX (AFRL/RG)

DAF Chief Commercialization Officer

Distribution A. Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. AFRL-2025-3648

AGENDA

● What is AFWERX?

● SpaceWERX

● Spark

● Ventures

● SBIR/STTR

● Challenge

● Manufacturing Challenge

29Distribution A. Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. AFRL-2025-3648

CATALYSTS OF INNOVATION

Where Grassroots Ideation and Capability Meets Private Sector Scalability

PRIVATE SECTOR

COMMERCIAL INNOVATION

AIRMEN, GUARDIAN

GRASSROOTS INNOVATION

30Distribution A. Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. AFRL-2025-3648

1,881 Accelerate delivery of capabilities

Transitions achieved to date

10.4K+ Foster DAF’s community of innovation

Total contracts executed since 2019

$7.5B+

Strengthen the U.S.

defense industrial base

Obligated since 2019

AFWERX OVERVIEW

31Distribution A. Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. AFRL-2025-3648

SPARK

● Discover Demand Signal

● Warfighter Integration

● Innovation Platforms

● Challenges

● Velocities

● Colliders

ACCELERATE

● Cohort Development

● TRL Bootcamp

● Innovate 2 Accelerate

(I2A)

● TACFI/STRATFI

PORTFOLIO

MANAGEMENT

● Budget Management

● Market Research

● SBIR/STTR PMs

● Open/Specific Topic

SpaceWERX OVERVIEW Unique Division of AFWERX, Dedicated to Space

As the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force, SpaceWERX inspires and empowers collaboration with innovators to accelerate capabilities and shape our future in space.

Headquartered in Los Angeles

40Employs Military, civilian and contractor personnel

$457MExecuting annual budget

Partners with Space Systems Command's Commercial Space Office (COMSO) as a collaborative program.

Awarded 1,470+ contracts

Contracts Value $1.46B

Distribution A. Approved for public release;

distribution unlimited. AFRL-2025-3648

CONNECT

Build, empower and mobilize innovation networks

DEVELOP

Develop DAF innovators through curriculum and experience

SUPPORT

Support DAF innovators through facilitation and advocacy

Unparalleled access to, and trust with, DAF Innovators 108 base-level cells, every MAJCOM, ~3,000 augmentees

SPARK CONNECTIONS

Empowering Innovators, Accelerating Results

Global Spark Network

33Distribution A. Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. AFRL-2025-3648

AFWERX & SPACEWERX

Drive Opportunities for Commercial Integration with DAF S&T Priorities

UTILIZING SBIR/STTR FUNDING

34Distribution A. Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. AFRL-2025-3648

SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR)

The SBIR program, established by Congress in 1982 as a three-phased process, solicits proposals and awards funding to small business for federal research and development, production, services, or any combination of these, to meet agency needs and missions.

The Four Goals of the SBIR Program:

● Stimulate technological innovation

● Use small business to meet Federal R/R&D needs

● Foster and encourage participation by the socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses and those that are 51 percent owned and controlled by women, in technological innovation

● Increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal R/R&D, thereby increasing competition, productivity, and economic growth

35Distribution A. Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. AFRL-2025-3648

SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR)

The STTR program was established in 1992 with a similar statutory purpose. The major difference is that the STTR program requires a research partner consisting of one of the following:

● University

● Federally funded R&D center

● Qualified non-profit research institution

● The following 5 agencies utilize the STTR program:

Department of Defense, Department of Energy, NASA, National Institute of Health and National Science Foundation

36Distribution A. Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. AFRL-2025-3648

HOW THE PROGRAM IS FUNDED

The SBIR/STTR program is Congressionally mandated. Funding is allocated by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and distributed across the participating agencies.

Approximately $1.9 billion dollars is set aside annually for the Department of Defense to support the financing of cutting-edge technologies developed by small businesses.

The DAF SBIR/STTR program accounts for $1.5 billion of the total set aside.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

*Cost base max and period of performance are determined at the topic level and can be found within the solicitation instructions.

38Distribution A. Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. AFRL-2025-3648

FUNDING AVENUES

Open Topic, Specific Topic and STRATFI/TACFI opportunities

Open Topic

● Technology-agnostic solicitation

● Encourages commercial industry to submit technology solutions without having a known end-user

● Used to capture the best capabilities and emerging technologies that can impact our Airmen and Guardians

Specific Topic

● Seeks innovative solutions for a particular problem set defined by a DAF end user or customer

● The topics and requirements are specific to the DoD

● These topics have clearly-defined requirements and a known DAF customer built in to the topic solicitation

STRATFI/TACFI

● STRATFI (Strategic Funding Increase) Program

● TACFI (Tactical Funding Increase)

● Awards help scale Phase II efforts to the level needed to achieve better technology transitions

● De-risks development through syndication with multiple transition-focused partners and leveraging outside investment

39Distribution A. Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. AFRL-2025-3648

AFWERX & SPACEWERX PROCESS

PROCESS STEPS

Phase I FEASIBILITY STUDYIndustry Phase II

PROTOTYPE

Phase III

TRANSITION

STRATFI/

TACFI

Specific Topic Phase I and Phase II

Direct to Phase II (D2P2) Topic

Open Topic Phase I and Phase II

Refinery Program

AFWERX Challenge Spark Cells Phase I and Phase II

40Distribution A. Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. AFRL-2025-3648

SBIR/STTR SOLICITATION SCHEDULE

DAF SBIR/STTR FY25

AWARDOPEN CLOSE

OPEN TOPIC SOLICITATIONS

May 7, 2025 June 5, 2025 August

Open Topic 24.7/E P2 & 25.5

R8 D2P2 SBIR

July

SELECTION

June 4, 2025 July 2, 2025 September

Focused Open Topic 25.5 R9

Manufacturing Initiative

August

July 2, 2025 Aug 5, 2025 December

Open Topic

25.5 Release 10

Phase I

October

SBIR/STTR SOLICITATION SCHEDULE

DAF SBIR/STTR FY25

SPECIFIC TOPIC SOLICITATIONS

TOPIC SUBMISSION

WINDOW OPEN CLOSE AWARD PRE-RELEASE

DoD SBIR/STTR Specific Topic

25.4/D Release 10 (Space Only)

July 2, 2025 July 23, 2025 Nov 2025Aug 20, 2025

DoD SBIR/STTR Specific Topic

25.4/D Release 12 (Space Only)

Sept 3, 2025 Sept 24, 2025 Jan 2026Oct 22, 2025

Distribution A. Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. AFRL-2025-3648

DoD SBIR/STTR Specific Topic

25.4/D Release 11 (Space Only)

Aug 6, 2025 Aug 27, 2025 Dec 2025Sept 24, 2025

SBIR/STTR NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY SCHEDULE

DAF SBIR/STTR FY25

STRATFI/TACFI NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY

Cycle 1: Feb 2025

Cycle 2: Jul 2025

TACFI

PY25.2

SELECTIONSOPEN CLOSE CONTRACT AWARDS

Cycle 1: May 2025

Cycle 2: Oct 2025

Rolling Submissions

November

March

STRATFI

PY26.1

June

Air: Aug 28, 2025 Space: Open until

Announced

July 28, 2025

CHALLENGE PROCESS

1 year timeline

Government Scoping Session Challenge Definition workshop with Government, Academia, and Industry

Solicitation with desired focus areas released

Contracts awarded

CHALLENGE OUTPUT

Cohort of Phase II companies connected to a mission area

CHALLENGE PROGRAM

Seeking Innovative Solutions for Complex Problems at an Accelerated Pace

MANUFACTURING CHALLENGE l PRODUCTION CAPABILITY Challenge Definition Workshops → Funding Opportunities

Workshops

Government

Representatives

Academic

Participants

Industry

Professionals

D2P2 SOLICITATION

Closed 9 July 2025, Anticipate 15 Awards

STRATFI/TACFI

45Distribution A. Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. AFRL-2025-3648

UPCOMING SpaceWERX CHALLENGES

ADAPTIVE & INTELLIGENT SPACE CHALLENGE

Seeks autonomous solutions to enhance space domain awareness, battle management, and space control—boosting situational awareness and operational agility. (Specific Topic 25.4/D Release 12)

MANUFACTURING CHALLENGE (SPACE FOCUSED)

Focuses on next-generation production technologies, including additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping, to improve the performance and readiness of space systems.

RESILIENT MILITARY SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS CHALLENGE

Aims to develop secure, reliable SATCOM solutions for contested and denied environments, with strong resistance to jamming and cyber threats.

46Distribution A. Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. AFRL-2025-3648

QUESTIONS?

Upcoming Enterprise Opportunities

M E L I S S A S T . V I N C E N T , T E C H N I C A L D I R E C T O R O F C O N T R A C T I N G

A F R L / P K 3 0 J u l y 2 0 2 5

Introduction

AFRL Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)

AFRL CSO

• Announcement mechanism for requirements by AFRL locations

• Seeking innovation commercial type solutions

• Contains open and closed spirals

• Multiple phased approaches can be used – white papers, lean proposals, vendor pitches

• Awards will be firm fixed price only

AFRL Multiple Award Contract (AMAC)

• AMAC – Competitive Solicitation

• Open solicitation for industry partners

• Modified proposal approach; specific instructions will be provided

• Condensed schedule

• IDIQ and first delivery order will be award to successful offerors

• Scope encompasses science & technology needs AFRL wide

• FAR 16 Fair Opportunity Selections for Specific Requirements

• Delivery orders will be competitive

• Highest Rated Technical Offer – Reasonable Price (HTRO-RP)

• Usage by all AFRL locations

• Request for Proposal (RFP) Due out in early August

• RFP will be posted on Sam.gov

• Proposal template will be provided

• Quick turn around time

Q&A 10 Minutes

Thank you for attending

AFRL INDUSTRY FORUM