DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY

29 July 2026

MEMORANDUM FOR OFFERORS

FROM: AFRL/RFZF

26 Electronic Parkway Rome NY 13441-4514

SUBJECT: Solicitation No. FA8750269R001 for ENTERPRISE PROTOTYPE INITIATIVE

CONSORTIUM (EPIC)

1. OVERVIEW

(a) The purpose of this announcement is to solicit qualified offerors to submit whitepapers for the Air Force Research Laboratory Enterprise Prototype Initiative Consortium (EPIC) Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) for Prototype Indefinite Delivery Vehicle (IDV).

Once whitepapers are evaluated and if determined selectable, proposals will be requested.

This effort aims to provide the Department of War with a rapid, non-FAR acquisition pathway that bridges the gap between laboratory research and operational deployment.

By integrating the multidisciplinary expertise of the Air Force Research Laboratory with commercial and academic innovators, EPIC rapidly delivers scalable, cutting-edge prototypes to ensure decisive technological overmatch on the modern battlefield. To achieve this aim, the Government is soliciting consortium managers (hereon referred to as the OT Lead) with the ability to manage competition, award, and administration of Project Level Orders/Agreements with substantial involvement from nontraditional defense contractors.

(b) The core objective of EPIC is for the Recipient to perform a coordinated prototyping and testing program in conjunction with the Government that speeds the ability to rapidly prototype Government, industry and academia capabilities across all technology areas of interest relevant to the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) proposed to be acquired or developed by the Department of War (DoW) to sustain U.S. military technological advantage. Additionally, this OTA will serve as a vital tool to help DoW achieve military integration that is critical to reducing the cost of defense information systems technologies.

(c) The Government anticipates that EPIC will be awarded as an Other Transaction Agreement for Prototype, as authorized under 10 U.S.C. §4022. The form of the Agreement to be executed will be an Indefinite Delivery Vehicle (IDV) in which there will be one overarching Agreement between the Air Force and the successful entity.

Under this Agreement, individual Project Level Orders will be solicited, awarded and performed. The ceiling is unlimited with a project ordering period of 120 months and project performance allowed up to 24 months after the project ordering end date. The OTA IDV will have multiple Project Level Orders (PLOs) awarded on a Firm-Fixed Price basis. The increments and dollar threshold will be determined by PLO with pricing based on the outcome of the project level competitions conducted throughout the term of the Agreement. Despite the Firm Fixed Price nature of the Agreement, the successful Offeror will need to identify an accounting system that is capable of tracking the receipt and disbursement of Government funds. Upon successful completion of Project Level Order Agreements, there could be potential for a sole source, follow-on production contract or OT. Follow-on production OT agreements will be determined on a project-by-project basis in accordance with the guidance provided in the Other Transactions Guide (OUSD (A&S)), 2023, applicable law, and policy.

a. Issued by: FA8750

AFRL/RFZF

26 Electronic Parkway Rome NY 13441-4514

b. Agreements Officer’s Representative (AOR):

Matthew P. Shaver Agreements Officer’s Representative 315-330-3295 Matthew.Shaver.1@us.af.mil

(d) The OT Lead’s deliverables are expected to consist nearly entirely of reports, although it is possible that in unique situations the OT lead could be responsible for the delivery of software, hardware, or technical data. Project-Level Performers will be expected to deliver technical solutions, consisting of software, hardware, and/or technical data.

(e) Please submit your whitepapers on or before 12 August 2026, 12:00 pm Eastern Daylight time.

(f) Please address your responses to catherine.hulser.1@us.af.mil, erica.ogundadegbe@us.af.mil, matthew.shaver.1@us.af.mil and AFRL.RF.EPIC@us.af.mil.

2. LIMITATIONS OF OTHER TRANSACTION FOR PROTOTYPE (OTP) AUTHORITY

(a) Awards issued under the authority described in the previous section must be limited to prototype projects that are directly relevant to enhancing the mission effectiveness of personnel of the Department of War or improving platforms, systems, components, or materials proposed to be acquired or developed by the Department of War, or to improve platforms, systems, components, or materials in use by the armed forces. For a prototype project under the authority of 10 U.S.C. §4022 one of the following conditions must be met:

a. There is at least one nontraditional defense contractor or nonprofit research institution participating to a significant extent in the prototype project.

b. All significant participants in the transaction other than the Federal Government are small businesses (including small businesses participating in a program described under section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638)) or nontraditional defense contractors.

c. At least one third of the total cost of the prototype project is to be paid out of funds provided by sources other than the Federal Government.

mailto:Matthew.Shaver.1@us.af.mil

d. The senior procurement executive for the agency determines in writing that exceptional circumstances justify the use of a transaction that provides for innovative business arrangements or structures that would not be feasible or appropriate under a contract, or would provide an opportunity to expand the defense supply base in a manner that would not be practical or feasible under a contract.

(b) For purposes of these limitations, the following definitions apply:

a. “Prototype Project” means a project that addresses-

i. a proof of concept, model, or process, including a business process;

ii. reverse engineering to address obsolescence;

iii. a pilot or novel application of commercial technologies for defense purposes;

iv. agile development activity;

v. the creation, design, development, or demonstration of operational utility;

or

vi. any combination of subparagraphs (i) through (v) above.

b. "Nontraditional defense contractor" has the meaning given the term under 10 U.S.C. §3014.

c. "Follow-on production contract or transaction" means a contract or transaction to produce, sustain, or otherwise implement the results of a successfully completed prototype project for continued or expanded use by the Department of War.

3. DOCUMENTS THAT ARE PART OF THIS SOLICITATION

(1) Attachment No. 1 Articles

(2) Attachment No. 2 Statement of Work (SOW)

a. Exhibit 1 EPIC Areas of Interest

(3) Attachment No. 3 Agreement Data Requirements List (ADRLs)

(4) Attachment No. 4 Recommended Processes and Practices for EPIC

a. Exhibit A Project Announcement

b. Exhibit B Proposal Template

c. Exhibit C Whitepaper Template

d. Exhibit D Government Cost Price Analysis

(5) Attachment No. 5 Instructions to Offerors and Evaluation Criteria

(6) Attachment No. 6 Representations and Certifications

CATHERINE A. HULSER

Agreements Officer