ARAM RFI_SOO.docx

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Advanced Research for Air-delivered Munitions (ARAM) Issuing Organization: Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/RWK) Eglin AFB, FL RFI Number: ARAM-RFI-20260508 Date of Issuance: 14 May 2026 Response Due Date: 29 May 2026 (15 days from date of posting)

1.0 INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE

In accordance with FAR Part 10 (Market Research) and recent FAR overhauls prioritizing acquisition agility, innovation, and streamlined industry engagement, this Request for Information (RFI) is issued by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/RWK) Eglin AFB, FL.

The purpose of this RFI is to conduct market research to identify potential sources with the capabilities and experience to perform the Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) activities described in the attached draft Statement of Objectives (SOO) for the Advanced Research for Air-delivered Munitions (ARAM) program. This information will be used for planning purposes and to inform a modernized, rapid acquisition strategy.

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.

2.0 BACKGROUND

The Air Force Research Laboratory is seeking to advance the state of the art for air delivered munitions, attritable unmanned aerial systems, and their enabling technologies through ARAM. The overarching objective is to conduct RDT&E to support strategic goals in Hypersonics, Modular/Scalable UAVs, Affordable Mass, and Advanced Concepts.

The program's scope encompasses basic research (6.1), applied research (6.2), and advanced technology development (6.3), with technology development spanning from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 1 through 8. The effort is guided by a new philosophy: Mission Analysis Driving Technology (MADTech), which prioritizes mission effect and integration by design.

The draft SOO outlines three primary research areas:

Mission Systems: Focuses on advancing air-armament technologies, including Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) simulation, scene projector technology, RF simulator technology, flight motion simulation, target scene phenomenology modeling, Automatic Target Recognition (ATR), advanced weapon seeker concepts and development, and biologically-inspired sensing and control.

Mission Management: Focuses on developing technologies for weapon autonomy, agility, control, and maneuver, including alternative navigation solutions, advanced guidance and control for high-performance weapons, and networked/intelligent weapons (swarms).

Mission Design: Focuses on developing and applying Mission Engineering, Transdisciplinary Design, Digital Materiel Management, and Advanced Computing technologies. This includes the use of HWIL, AI, HPC, and cloud computing in weapons design, and M&S.

3.0 STATEMENT OF CAPABILITIES (REQUESTED INFORMATION)

Part 1: Technical & Management Approach Technical Capabilities: Provide a description of the technology, solution or idea, functionality, readiness, and how it addresses the specific area proposed. Statements of capability must specifically address which portions of the SOO your company is capable of performing (all or some) and to what technical level. Please also highlight any experience regarding the "MADTech" philosophy and Digital Materiel Management.

Teaming Arrangements: Describe any teaming arrangements, partnerships, or subcontracting plans that would be utilized to deliver the proposed solutions. Include any proposed partnership for Government Resources (people, hardware, facilities, capabilities, etc.).

Cost Estimates: Provide Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) costs for proposed efforts.

Data Assertions: The Government anticipates “Government Purpose Rights or Unrestricted” for this effort. Please describe your company's standard approach to intellectual property in alignment with this assertion.

Preferred Contract Type: Provide an indication of preferred contract type (e.g., FFP, CPFF, OT, traditional contract).

Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI): Describe your company's processes for identifying and mitigating potential OCIs.

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC): Please state your company's current CMMC level. The SOO requires CMMC Level 2 or higher.

Security: Please describe your firm's capabilities and procedures for accessing, handling, and storage of classified information in accordance with applicable security regulations.

Part 2: Feedback on the Statement of Objectives Clarity and Feasibility: Is the scope of the SOO clear and feasible? Are there any areas that require further clarification?

Innovations and Technologies: Are there any other emerging technologies or innovative approaches not mentioned in the SOO that you believe are critical for achieving the ARAM’s objectives?

4.0 SUBMISSION DETAILS

Interested parties who desire to participate in this RFI are encouraged to submit responses that clearly demonstrate an ability to meet the stated requirements in the time frame specified.

Responses shall include the following information on the title page and address the general requirements as specified in the Statement of Capabilities:

Company Name Address Point of Contact (along with contact information) CAGE Code (and UEI Number) Size of Business pursuant to NAICS Code 541715 Is the company domestically owned or foreign owned? (If foreign, please indicate the country of ownership) Would the respondent be a prime or subcontractor?

Please limit your Statement of Capabilities to no more than seven (7) single-spaced, 12-point font-typed pages. Contractors are encouraged to include an additional Risk Identification and Management appendix of no more than three (3) single-spaced, 12-point font typed pages in which to identify what the contractor believes to be the highest risks, along with proposed risk management approaches and actions.

Information associated with this effort is unclassified. If respondents wish to restrict distribution of Capability Statements, they must be marked and distributed appropriately. Interested parties should mark all responses accordingly prior to submission. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any improperly identified proprietary information. Respondents are responsible for protecting and marking proprietary information at the appropriate level. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations.

5.0 SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTATION

Responses to the RFI shall be submitted to the points of contact below by 2:00 PM (CDT) on 29 May 2026.

Ensure only .pdf, .doc, .docx, .xlsx, or .xls documents are attached to your email. All other attachments may be deleted.

Please submit all responses to the following POCs:

Lois Faye Ritter, lois.ritter.1@us.af.mil Gloria Caldwell, gloria.caldwell@us.af.mil

6.0 DISCLAIMER

This RFI is not a request for proposal and does not commit the Government to issue a solicitation or award a contract. The Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All information submitted in response to this RFI is voluntary. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. Any proprietary information should be clearly marked.

Attachment: Statement of Objectives (SOO)

ATTACHMENT

Advanced Research for Air-delivered Munitions (ARAM)

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

8 May 2026

1.0 Objective

The overarching objective of the Advanced Research for Air-delivered Munitions (ARAM) program is to conduct Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) to advance the Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Warfare Directorate (AFRL/RA) strategic goals. The program scope encompasses basic research (6.1), applied research (6.2), and advanced technology development (6.3) for air munitions and their enabling technologies. These efforts will advance AFRL/RA’s Mission Systems, Mission Management, and Mission Design divisions, directly transcending into the Hypersonics, Modular/Scalable UAVs, Affordable Mass, and Advanced Concepts strategic portfolios. The fundamental purpose is to create a decisive technological advantage by translating advanced scientific concepts into tangible capabilities.

These efforts will be guided by a new organizational philosophy: Mission Analysis Driving Technology (MADTech). This philosophy has two core tenets: (1) Integration by design, right from the start, and every step along the way; and (2) Flipping the script to prioritize mission effect.

2.0 Scope and Areas of Research

This program requires conducting the full spectrum of R&D activities to advance the technology readiness of air munitions, from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 1 through 8. The following sections outline the research objectives aligned with the three AFRL/RA divisions.

Constraint: This is strictly an RDT&E effort. Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS), staff augmentation, routine IT administration, or program management support are not authorized under this contract.

2.1 Air Warfare Directorate Mission Systems

The objective is to advance air-armament technologies through the research and development of the following capabilities:

· Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) Simulation for Guided Weapons: Develop and advance real-time, closed-loop, 6-DOF simulations, electronic interfaces, and weapon open system architectures HWIL visualization and analysis capabilities, and other directly relevant capabilities to research and characterize new weapon concepts and mature weapon technologies.

· HWIL Technology Development: Research and develop HWIL simulation technologies and innovative prototype technologies and proof-of-concept designs for multispectral (UV, LADAR, RF, visible, IR) target and environment simulators, navigation simulators, and flight motion simulators for active, semi-active, and passive sensors.

· Scene Projector Technology: Research and develop seeker in-band scene projection technologies and custom projector control electronics necessary to drive passive and active optical scene projectors (UV, visible, IR, LADAR), including test and characterization of scene projectors and research and develop novel architectural enhancements for scene generation.

· RF Simulator Technology: Research and develop new RF simulation technologies through modular, reconfigurable, and RF HWIL architectures capable of working on multiple RF sensor/seeker designs, wavelengths and bandwidths using modern software-defined radio techniques to reduce cost and increase adaptability.

· Flight Motion Simulation Technology: Research and develop innovative Flight Motion Simulation (FMS), including high-bandwidth, high-speed motion tables and converting multi-axis simulators to electric motor systems to enable more realistic HWIL testing. Includes designing and executing experimental FMS test plans to generate research data.

· Target Scene Phenomenology Modeling: Research, develop and validate advanced, radiometrically accurate 3D models, scene databases, and tools to construct virtual environments for multi-domain munition simulations, leveraging AI and high-performance computing to advance modeling techniques.

· HWIL Technology Transition: Research and develop technical data packages and transition artifacts to enable future integration of HWIL test technologies byDoD or test organizations.

· Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) for Munitions: Research and develop virtual design environments and prototype hardware/software for autonomous and aided man-in-the-loop ATR functions, including the use non-real-time and real-time sensor and seeker data and AI/ML models for enhanced target detection, classification, and tracking.

· Weapon Seeker Science & Technology Concepts: Conduct developmental research of advanced weapon seeker and sensor concepts across the electromagnetic and optical spectrums (EO, IR, laser, radar). This includes developing prototype hardware, digital simulations, and advanced algorithms for seekers and sensors designed to engage stationary and mobile targets.

· Biologically-Inspired Sensing, Guidance, and Control: Research and develop instrumentation, advanced imaging sensors, software, prototypes, and control paradigms inspired by biological systems (e.g., arthropod vision) to create novel solutions for munition navigation, target acquisition, and tracking.

2.2 Air Warfare Directorate Mission Management

The objective is to develop technologies for weapon autonomy, agility, control, and maneuver for air launched weapons through research in the following areas:

· Navigation & Estimation: Create robust, precise, accurate, and low-cost alternative navigation solutions for GPS, as well as GPS-denied or degraded environments. Research includes imaging techniques, celestial navigation, magnetic map-aiding, and networked/collaborative navigation.

· Exploratory Navigation: Research and develop hardware prototypes for navigation experiments and demonstrations, including hardware, firmware, and software navigation algorithms.

· Dynamics, Guidance & Control: Research and develop technologies to control the coupled aero-structural-thermal dynamics of high-performance weapons operating in extreme environments. Research areas include AI-based adaptive guidance, robust trajectory laws, advanced autopilots, and control schemes for hypersonic weapons.

· Multi-Domain Networked and Intelligent Weapons: Research and develop integrated estimation and control for networked weapons (swarms). Objectives include affordability, creating autonomy and composability, robust ad-hoc data links, distributed battle-state perception, and swarm autonomy tactics for coordinated multi-domain effects in highly contested environments.

· Unmanned Air System (UAS) Experimentation: Research, develop, and demonstrate concept UAS and component technologies (sensors, algorithms, Guidance Navigation, and Control) for weapon and ISR applications through various means, including laboratory development, LVC (Live, Virtual, Constructive) testing, HWIL simulations and test, model development, target and indoor and outdoor flight experiments.

2.3 Air Warfare Directorate Mission Design

The objective is to develop and apply Mission Engineering, Transdisciplinary Design, Digital Materiel Management, and advanced computing technologies through research in the following areas:

· Mission Engineering and Transdisciplinary Design: Develop and advance the capabilities of existing engineering-level models, simulations, Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration, computational architectures, and analytical methods. Develop and apply novel analytical methodologies to generate trade-study data on conceptual designs and quantify the performance impact of advanced technologies (component, systems, and system-of-systems) within relevant digital and simulated environments.

· Digital Materiel Management: Research and develop an optimized digital, agile, and open ecosystem for digital engineering, data science and computational knowledge synthesis using commercial and government digital, model-based, and emerging technologies to transform the weapons enterprise. Objectives include AI-driven knowledge management, digital twin development, generative AI for design, AI-enhanced Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), and AI Supply Chain Optimization.

· Computing:

· Research and Development Computing: Research and engineer novel computer enclave architectures or prototype experimental configurations of existing enclaves. These R&D environments will be instrumented to allow for the testing of specialized tools and programs that cannot be run on Enterprise-level computer networks like NIPR and SIPR. It includes connectivity to other systems inside AFRL, DoD, industry, and academic partners, developing hardware and software to meet specific mission and project requirements.

· Computer Networking and IT Research: Research and develop novel and secure R&D network infrastructures, including virtualization, cyber security measures, and AI-enhanced capabilities, to enable advanced research requirements without providing routine IT services.

· Virtualization Research: Research and develop a modern virtual server and desktop infrastructure (VDI) to enable rapid and flexible computing environments for R&D.

· Advanced R&D Computing Capabilities: Research and develop novel computing capabilities using diverse operating systems and processing architectures, cluster systems, and distributed file systems.

· Research of Novel AI, High Performance Computing (HPC), and Cloud Computing Research: Research innovative approaches to integrate AI, HPC, and cloud computing into weapons design, data analytics, and M&S (modeling & simulation) frameworks. This includes conducting research studies to evaluate and develop state-of-the-art AI technologies, assess their cybersecurity implications, and prototype their integration into AFRL/RA workflows securely.

3.0 Deliverables

Because this is strictly an RDT&E effort, all deliverables must consist of research artifacts, experimental items, data, or technical documentation resulting directly from scientific inquiry and technology development. Specific deliverables will be defined at the Task Order (TO) level and may include:

· Technical Documentation & Reports

· Algorithms & Software Source Code

· Prototype & Experimental Hardware

· Modeling, Simulation, and Test Data

· Digital Engineering Artifacts

· Technical Data Packages (TDP)

4.0 Security Requirements

All RDT&E activities shall comply with applicable DoD, DAF, and AFRL security directives.

· Clearance Requirements: Access to classified information up to the Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) level may be required.

· DD Form 254: Specific classification guidelines will be detailed in the DD Form 254 for the contract and individual Task Orders.

· Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI): CUI generated or received shall be handled in accordance with DoDI 5200.48.

· Operations Security (OPSEC): An OPSEC program is required to protect critical information.

· Information Systems Security & Cyber Resilience: Unclassified contractor information systems processing CUI must comply with DFARS 252.204-7012 and NIST SP 800-171, and a Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) at Level 2 or higher must be maintained.

5.0 Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI)

The contractor is responsible for identifying and mitigating any potential or actual OCIs as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5. An OCI Mitigation Plan is required for Government approval. Performance of systems engineering, technical direction, or requirements definition under this contract may preclude the contractor and its affiliates from acting as a prime contractor or major subcontractor on subsequent production contracts for those systems.

6.0 Technical Data and Computer Software Rights

All technical data and computer software developed or delivered under this contract are subject to DFARS 252.227-7013 and DFARS 252.227-7014. The Government’s objective is to obtain sufficient rights to enable future competition. As this is a Government-funded R&D contract, the Government shall receive, at a minimum, Government Purpose Rights for all technical data and computer software developed and delivered. For all data generated exclusively with Government funds, the Government shall receive Unlimited Rights. Any assertion of rights less than Government Purpose Rights must be identified and justified in the proposal.

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release: distribution is unlimited (PA Case: AFRL-2006-2351).