RFP Letter Call 004 Published.pdf

AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY SPACE WARFARE DIRECTORATE FORMALLY KNOWN AS SPACE

VEHICLES DIRECTORATE SPACE ENVIRONMENT TECHNOLOGIES AND SCIENCE (SETS) PROGRAM

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA)

FA9453-26-R-X012

CALL ANNOUNCEMENT-- CALL 004

Transition and Advancement of Innovative Real-time HF Propagation Modeling and Ionospheric Simulation Capabilities

30 September 2026

NAICS CODE: 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

PSC CODE: AC12

FEDERAL AGENCY NAME: Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Warfare Directorate (RJ) formally known as Space Vehicles Directorate (RV) Geospace Technologies Division (RJB) Geospace Environment Impacts and Applications Branch (RJBX)

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: FA9453-23-R-X001

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TITLE: Space Environment Technologies and Science (SETS) Program

CALL ANNOUNCEMENT (CALL) NUMBER: 004

CALL TITLE: Transition and Advancement of Innovative Real-time HF Propagation Modeling and Ionospheric Simulation Capabilities

CALL TYPE: Closed- One Step

TECHNICAL AREA: 1) Solar, Solar Wind, and Ionospheric Effects

DUE DATE AND TIME: 29 October 2026, 1:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time

APPLICABILITY OF BASELINE BAA: All requirements of FA9453-23-R-X001 apply unless specifically amended and addressed in this Call. For complete information regarding FA9453-23-R-X001, refer to the initial FULL TEXT Closed BAA. It contains information applicable to all Calls issued under the BAA and provides information on the overall program, proposal preparation and submission requirements, proposal review and evaluation criteria, award administration, agency contacts, etc. For any discrepancies, please contact the contracting officer as soon as possible.

Initial FULL TEXT Closed BAA link:

https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/ab7bd439fe1c456489ad90421a21a5ba/view

I. REQUIREMENT INFORMATION:

https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/ab7bd439fe1c456489ad90421a21a5ba/view

A. BACKGROUND: The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Warfare Directorate (RJ) formally known as Space Vehicles Directorate (RV) Geospace Technologies Division (RJB) Geospace Environment Impacts and Applications Branch (RJBX) seeks sources capable of supporting the program’s fundamental and advanced research in space and environmental impacts technologies. Additionally, the program is interested in understanding and quantifying the impact of the space environment on Department of Defense and National Security Systems and in achieving a capability to specify, predict, mitigate, and exploit the effects of the space environment that can disrupt or degrade operational systems.

B. DESCRIPTION: This Call is specifically requesting potential Offeror(s) to provide interdisciplinary proposals addressing Topic 1 from the Space Environment Technologies and Science (SETS) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). Topic area is:

1. Solar, Solar Wind, and Ionospheric Effects

OBJECTIVE: This effort requires multi-disciplinary expertise in software development, IT infrastructure support, and broad scientific topics to facilitate the improvement and development of operationally relevant space weather models, simulations of military radars, and decision aids using both traditional and emerging ionospheric data sources. The final goal of this effort is to integrate and optimize software-based HF tools for the output of comprehensive real-time modeling systems that can be used by military leaders to make informed battlefield decisions.

Develop and implement command decision aids and indications and warnings tools and integrate these tools within larger DOD enterprise solutions. Design, develop and implement models and software to support these decision aids and tools. Develop robust methods of verification and validation of the tools and work with DOD partners in deploying these tools in an enterprise solution.

Task 1: Tactical decision aid development

A. Provide development of Air Force Coverage Analysis (AFCAP) tool, progressing the ability of AFCAP to provide real time Over the Horizon Radar (OTHR) simulation to SSC

B. Develop other software based tactical decision aids like the Air Force Coverage Analysis (AFCAP) tool to SSC and other AFRL customers related to radar propagation through the ionosphere

C. Support the creation, design and development of tactical decision aids and indications and warnings tools based on ionospheric modeling

Task 2: Model and software enhancement and creation

A. Provide development and integration of software tools Sounder Receiver (SORcer) Enabled Ionospheric Model - Service for Tactical Regional Environmental Specification (SEIM.STRES), the Optimal Approach System for Ionogram Scaling (OASIS), and Regional Ionospheric Profile Estimator (RIPE) for deployment into SSC enterprise solutions

B. Create and develop models and simulations of ionospheric properties and radar propagation through the ionospheric environment for integration into relevant I&W tools

Task 3: Create and further develop enhanced HF propagation analysis and ionospheric modelling tools.

A. Assess HF propagation from space environment drivers using remote sensing data sources and investigate, evaluate, and join them for more efficient characterization of said drivers. These assessments should aid the development of existing technologies like High Frequency – Propagation Observation Evaluation Toolkit (HF-POET)

B. Conduct qualitative and quantitative V&V of models, tools, decision aids and indications and warnings tools related to the ionospheric and thermospheric environment.

C. Develop techniques to simulate failure of models and tools and develop solutions to error modes for the same.

Task 4: Integration and transition activities

A. Contractor will need to interface with the partner agencies such as the Military Applications and Space Environment (MASE) program office to facilitate the transition of technologies and updating of software as necessary.

B. Develop, improve, sustain, and support residual operations of models, prediction tools, and space environment specifications.

Common to all programs

A. Prepare presentations for briefings and scientific and engineering conferences.

B. Attend relevant briefings, scientific and engineering conferences, and experiment and program reviews.

C. Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals of results cleared for public release.

D. Transition laboratory results of experiments and calculations to relevant AF programs E. Acquire miscellaneous laboratory supplies necessary to support task activities performed by in-house contractor personnel.

F. Install and troubleshoot instrumentation.

G. Perform laboratory actions in a manner compliant with AF and NM regulations regarding hazardous waste, fire and safety, tool control, and chemical storage.

Reporting

A. Continually determine the status of the effort and report progress toward accomplishment of contract requirements.

B. Continually determine status of funding required for contract performance.

C. Perform, record, and disclose physical inventory results of all Contractor Acquired Property (CAP).

D. Document all technical work accomplished and information gained during the performance of this contract. This shall include all pertinent observations, nature of problems, positive as well as negative results, and lessons learned. The details of all technical work shall be documented to permit full understanding of the techniques and procedures used in evolving technology or processes developed.

Given the inherent uncertainties in research and development and, in particular, the type of effort described here, the Government fully expects that various approaches and efforts will advance at different rates or fail to advance in the manner originally envisioned. It is further recognized that by the nature of any Research and Development effort, work attempted to include this requirement could change and or advance through new discoveries or by the use of differing methodologies to arrive at an acceptable and usable solution. Additionally, be advised that through the advancement and new directions of the work encountered, additional work, time and funding may be utilized to continue and mature the research and development of this requirement to a level where it is acceptable and functional to the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Government. It is anticipated that substantial Government-contractor communication and flexibility will be needed to fully achieve the goals of this effort, and that specific objectives or tasks may require alteration, extension, or elimination as the state of-the-art advances.

II. AWARD INFORMATION:

A. ANTICIPATED FUNDING: This funding profile is an estimate only and is not a contractual obligation for funding. All funding is subject to change due to Government discretion and availability of funds and the technical work to be accomplished.

B. Notice to Offeror(s)/Supplier(s): Funds are not presently available for this effort. No award will be made under this solicitation until funds are available. The Government reserves the right to cancel this solicitation, either before or after the closing date. In the event the Government cancels this solicitation, the Government has no obligation to reimburse an offeror for any costs.

C. Anticipated funding for this Call (not per contract or award) is:

FY 26 FY 27 FY 28 Total anticipated funding:

$1,437,260.80 $1,441,210.72 $2,466,281.60 $5,344,753.12

D. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS: The cost of preparing white papers and proposals in response to this Call is not considered an allowable direct charge to a resulting or other contract.

E. ANTICIPATED NUMBER OF AWARDS: The Air Force anticipates awarding at minimum of one

(1) contract. However, the Air Force does reserve the right to make multiple awards or no awards pursuant to this Call.

F. ANTICIPATED AWARD DATE: Expected award date is March 31, 2027.

G. ANTICIPATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE (POP): The anticipated contract period of performance is 39 months with 36 months for technical performance and 3 months for final reporting.

H. ANTICIPATED TYPE OF CONTRACTS/INSTRUMENTS: The Air Force anticipates awarding a

Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee contract as a result of this Call but reserves the right to award the instrument best suited to the nature of research proposed.

I. DELIVERABLES ITEMS:

1. Software and Documentation

2. Presentation materials

3. Monthly Status Reports

4. Final Scientific and Technical Reports

5. Monthly Financial Reports

Data deliverables are subject to negotiations. The following Contract Data Requirements List (CDRLs) is representative of data requirements that may be required. See attachment 4 for more details.

A001 – Scientific and Technical Reports – Final Report A002 – Status report – Quarterly Reports

The anticipated deliverables include data. The Government may consider all applicable data rights clauses, as necessary, to meet the Government’s mission and technical objectives.

J. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY: None anticipated (in-house lab support).

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION:

A. ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST (OCI): All OCI issues and the need for applicable clauses must be identified and resolved prior to award.

B. SECURITY REQUIREMENT: It is anticipated that after award the contractor will require access to classified information during the effort. In accordance with RFO 52.240-92 the resulting award will require a DD Form 254. Offerors must have a valid U.S. security clearance of SECRET or higher in order to respond to this Call because this Call may include information classified at the SECRET or higher level which will be released only to offerors possessing the appropriate clearance. All classified material will be handled in accordance with E.O. 13526, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) DoD 5220.22-M, Industrial Security Regulation (DoD 5220.22-R), DoDM Industrial Security Program 5200.01 Volume 1 through 4, and AFI 16-1406.

C. BASE SUPPORT AND ACCESS: Base support is anticipated. The Government will ensure the contractor has access to all facilities where work will be performed. The Government will provide workspace for the contractor providing onsite technical support. The Government will provide on-site contractor personnel with staging area, access to projection equipment, and access to appropriate government files and databases. General office supplies, such as pens, paper, staplers, etc., will not be provided. Use is limited to official government business related to the performance of the requirements in this contract. The Government will provide access to all government facilities, as necessary, including sponsorship for access to non-government facilities, for execution of all contractor tasks. RFO 52.240-92, Security Requirements, and the below language for installation access apply to this call.

The contractor shall obtain base identification and vehicle passes, if required, for all contractor personnel who make frequent visits to or perform work on the Department of the Air Force installation(s) cited in the contract. Contractor personnel are required to wear or prominently display installation identification badges or contractor-furnished, contractor identification badges while visiting or performing work on the installation.

The contractor shall submit a written request on company letterhead to the contracting officer listing the following: contract number, location of work site, start and stop dates, and names of employees and subcontractor employees needing access to the base. The letter will also specify the individual(s) authorized to sign a request for base identification credentials or vehicle passes.

The contracting officer will endorse the request and forward it to the issuing base pass and registration office or Security Forces for processing. When reporting to the registration office, the authorized contractor individual(s) should provide a valid driver’s license, current vehicle registration, valid vehicle insurance certificate, and requirements to comply with local security procedures and any of installation requirements to obtain a vehicle pass.

During performance of the contract, the contractor shall be responsible for obtaining required identification for newly assigned personnel and for prompt return of credentials and vehicle passes for any employee who no longer requires access to the work site.

When work under this contract requires unescorted entry to controlled or restricted areas, the contractor shall comply with DAFI 31-101, Base Defense Operations, and DoDMAN5200.02_DAFMAN16-1405_DAFGM2026-01, Air Force Personnel Security Program citing the appropriate paragraphs as applicable. Upon completion or termination of the contract or expiration of the identification passes, the prime contractor shall ensure that all base identification passes issued to employees and subcontractor employees are returned to the issuing office.

The contractor shall provide an after-hours contact number or after-hours email in the Emergency Mass Notification System (EMNS) for each of their personnel, whose normal place of duty is on a DoD installation or within a DoD facility. The contractor shall comply with any additional requirements in DAFI 10-206, Operational Reporting for emergency operational reporting. Foreign Nationals may participate and may remove themselves from the Emergency Mass Notification System at any time. To update information, personnel can access the globe icon on their system desktop screens and choose the “Access Self-Service” option.

Failure to comply with these requirements may result in withholding of final payment Contractor Access to Department of the Air Force Installations apply to contracts made under this Call.

https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a4/publication/dafi31-101/controlled_unclassified_information.pdf https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/saf_oc/publication/dodman5200.02_dafman16-1405/dodman5200.02_dafman16-1405.pdf https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a3/publication/dafi10-206/dafi10-206.pdf

D. FOREIGN NATIONALS: No Foreign Nationals will be considered for this Call, unless approved by

DoW or the State Dept, under international personnel exchange agreements with foreign governments.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION:

PROPOSAL DUE DATE AND TIME: Proposals must be submitted in response to this Call no later than 29 October 2026, 1300, hours MDT.

SOLICITATION QUESTION DUE DATE AND TIME: Questions pertaining to this Call must be submitted to the points of contact listed in section VI no later than 14 October 2026, 1300, hours MDT. Answers will be posted as an amendment no later than 1600 MDT 16 October 2026.

Technical Proposal: The proposal shall include a discussion of the following information: creative or innovative and technically sound approach to accomplish the Call’s objective(s) and/or advances in knowledge, understanding, technology, state-of-the-art, and rationale of the offeror’s technical approach and the relevance to the Space Warfare Directorate (previously Space Vehicle Directorate) mission area(s).

The Offeror shall provide any information on prior work in the topic areas, descriptions of available equipment, data and facilities as attachments to the technical proposal. This information will be used in the proposal evaluation to help determine the soundness of the technical approach. This volume shall include a Statement of Work (SOW) detailing the technical tasks proposed to be accomplished under the proposed effort. The SOW shall not have any company proprietary information contained within the document.

If Government Furnished Property is requested, please submit the following information with your offer:

a) A list or description of all Government property that the offeror or its subcontractors propose to use. The list shall identify the accountable contract under which the property is held and the authorization for its use (from the contracting officer having cognizance of the property).

b) The dates during which the property will be required for use (including the first, last, and all intervening months), and for any property that will be used concurrently in performing two or more contracts, the amounts of the respective uses in sufficient detail to support prorating the rent.

c) The amount of rent that would otherwise be charged in accordance with RFO 52.245-9, Use and Charges, and be used in the management of government property, or existing property management plans, methods, practices, or procedures for accounting for property.

d) The voluntary consensus standard or industry leading practices and standards to be used in the management of government property or existing property management plans, methods, practices, or procedures for accounting for property.

Any questions concerning the technical proposal or SOW preparation shall be handled as specified above (in section IV).

Cost/Business Proposal (one-step process):

a) Separate the proposal into a cost section and business section. The business section should contain all business aspects to the proposed contract such as resumes of personnel who will be participating in this effort, contractual instrument type, and any exceptions to terms and conditions of the announcement, any information not technically related, etc. Provide rationale for exceptions. Identify any technical data that will be delivered with less than unlimited rights.

Cost proposals have no page limitations; however, offerors are requested to keep cost proposals under 100 pages as a goal. The proposal shall be furnished with supporting schedules and shall contain a labor hour breakdown per task.

b) Subcontracting plans for efforts anticipated to exceed $900,000 shall be submitted along with the technical and cost proposals. Reference RFO 52.219-9, RDFARS 252.219-7996, for subcontracting plan requirements. Small businesses are exempt from this requirement.

c) All direct costs (labor, material, travel, computer, etc.) as well as labor and overhead rates should be provided by contractor fiscal year (CFY). A separate breakout by Government Fiscal Year (GFY) is not required.

d) Submit fully-disclosed electronic cost spreadsheets with working formulas. Include rate table for all direct and indirect rates that feed into the cost element summaries.

Proposal Format (one-step process):

a) The technical proposal shall be limited to thirty (30) pages and shall be prepared and submitted in Microsoft Word file format. The Statement of Work (SOW) does not count against the page limit (cover page does not count towards the 30 page limit).

b) Cost/Business proposals have no page limitations; however, offerors are requested to keep cost proposals under 100 pages as a goal (Cost break-outs should be submitted in Microsoft Excel file format with the working formulas, all other information should be provided in Microsoft Word).

c) Paper Size – 8.5 inch x 11 inch

d) Margins – one-inch on each side

e) Font - Calibri 11+ point font or equivalent, to include tables, diagrams, and charts. Any other information (e.g. captions, restrictive markings) shall not be smaller than Calibri 10 point font or equivalent.

f) The Technical proposal page limit does not include the offeror’s proposed SOW; however, the same formatting rules apply to the SOW, which is limited to ten (10) pages.

Proposal Submission Dates and Times: Proposals submitted shall be in accordance with this announcement and any instructions in the individual Call for proposals. Proposals should be submitted in accordance with any modifications or amendments of the full text BAA and Call. Proposals received after the due date and time specified shall be governed by the language found at RFO 15.107(b).

Data Right Assertions: It is anticipated that all data delivered under any resulting award will be delivered with unlimited rights; however, different rights may be negotiated as appropriate. The Offeror shall identify data rights assertions, licenses, patents, etc. that apply to any proprietary materials, technical data, products, software, or processes to be used by the prime or subcontractor(s) in the performance of this program and shall address acquisition of data rights or licenses or expected recoupment of development costs for those proprietary items that will be integral to any contracts awarded under this BAA. Any data delivered or anticipated to be delivered with less than unlimited rights must be reported in a separate, appropriately marked appendix to the final report of any awarded contract resulting from this BAA.

Science & Technology (S&T) Program Protection - For Proposal Responses Only Offerors that are submitting proposals shall submit as a part of the proposal submission:

1. A completed Standard Form (SF 424), Research and Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Form for all Senior/Key Personnel proposed; and,

2. A Completed Security Program Questionnaire. Offerors may be asked to provide a mitigation plan for any identified S&T Protection risks. The Government reserves the right to determine an offeror unawardable on the grounds of unacceptable S&T Protection risk based on its review of the SF 424 and Security Program Questionnaire.

By submitting a proposal, the offeror certifies that it is in compliance with Section 223(a) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 which requires that: (a) the Principal Investigator (PI) and other key personnel certify that the current and pending support provided on the proposal is current, accurate and complete; (B) agree to update such disclosure at the request of the agency prior to the award of support and at any subsequent time the agency determines appropriate during the term of the award; and (c) the PI and other key personnel have been made aware of the requirements under Section 223(a)(2) of this Act. I am aware that any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or claims may subject me to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties. (U.S.C.

§1001). This is not required for white paper submissions.

Other Submission Requirements: Proposals must be submitted to the Contracting Point of Contact identified herein.

EVALUATION CRITERIA AND APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

General Information: Evaluations will vary based upon a one-step . Evaluations of Proposal/White Papers will be conducted by a peer or scientific review process using the criteria described below.

Proposal Evaluation Criteria (one-step process): The following criteria, which is listed in descending order of importance, will be used to determine whether one or more sources should be recommended for award. The Government reserves the right to select all, part, or none of the proposal received in response to a Call for award subject to the availability of funds.

1. Overall Scientific or Technical Merit: The technical aspect is first order of priority and shall be evaluated based on the following criteria that are of equal importance. Offeror demonstrates innovation, knowledge, and application of state-of-the-art methods and/or technologies.

Offeror provides problem statement, objectives and deliverables that are clearly defined.

Objectives and expected results are anchored by theory, analysis, or data. Assumptions are logical, reasonable, and appropriate.

2. Relevance To Mission Needs Outlined in Topic Area Description: The offeror must demonstrate that the proposed effort is logically mapped to one or more topic area needs. Offerors must demonstrate that the proposed effort provides valuable contribution to meeting one or more topic area needs. Offerors must demonstrate that the benefits appropriately off-set identified risks. The offer must demonstrate that the proposed cost meets mission needs.

3. Soundness of The Offeror's Technical Approach: The offeror must demonstrate that the technical approach is defined, logical and feasible. The offeror must provide a schedule, speed of delivery (tech readiness date) and required resources that are reasonable and appropriate.

The offeror must provide proposed results that are measurable and testable. Offeror must demonstrate that key staff have appropriate qualifications to perform proposed effort.

Proposal Review and Selection Process (one-step process): Proposals will be evaluated and categorized as follows:

1. Highly Recommended: Well-conceived scientifically and technically sound proposal pertinent to accomplish goals and objectives. Proposals are recommended for acceptance (subject to availability of funds) and normally are displaced only by other Highly Recommended proposals.

2. Selectable: Scientifically or technically sound proposals that may need additional development.

Proposals are recommended for acceptance if sufficient funding is available, but at a lower priority than Highly Recommended proposals. To ensure a diversity of approaches, a Selectable proposal may be prioritized over a Highly Recommended proposal if the Selectable proposal presents a unique approach unlike any of the Highly Recommended proposals.

3. Not Selectable: Proposal is not technically sound or does not meet agency needs. Even if sufficient funding existed, the proposal will not be funded.

Prior to award of a potentially successful offer, the Contracting Officer will make a price fair and reasonableness and cost realism determination.

When the Government elects to award only part of a proposal, the selected part may be categorized as Highly Recommended or Selectable although the proposal as a whole may not merit such a categorization.

The Government reserves the right to change the evaluation criteria for a specific Call, if the evaluation criteria differs from the above, it will be stated in the Call.

AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

Award Notices: Offerors will be notified whether their proposal is recommended for award in writing.

The notification of recommendation for award is not to be construed to mean the award of a contract is assured as availability of funds and successful negotiations are prerequisites to any award.

V. TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT:

Primary: Danel Fang, AFRL/RJR E-mail: daniel.fang.3@spaceforce.mil

Alternate: Dr. Daniel Ober, AFRL/RJBX E-mail: daniel.ober.1@spaceforce.mil

VI. CONTRACTING POINTS OF CONTACT:

Contracting Officer: Regina Alflen, AFRL/RJZB E-mail: regina.alflen@spaceforce.mil

Contract Specialist: Angelica Ulibarri, AFRL/RJZB E-mail: angelica.ulibarri@spaceforce.mil

VII. ATTACHMENTS

1. Call 004 SOW_CLIN Breakdown

2. RFP Cost Proposal Instructions

3. Reps and Certs

4. Contract Data Requirements List

5. Contractors Verification of Proposal

6. Data Assertions Table DFARS 252.227-7992

7. Proposal Adequacy Checklist

8. Standard Form 424

9. DD254 Draft Call 004

10. Security Program Questionnaire