Final RAB_RFI_RD Contract_ 30 Sep 2026_Public Releasable_Final.docx

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/RAK) Eglin AFB, FL Energetic Material and Ordnance Research and Development RFI NAICS Code: 541715

1. Notice This Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for market research and planning purposes. It is not a request for proposals or quotations, nor a solicitation for a contract or assistance instrument award. This notice should not be interpreted as a commitment to issue a solicitation or award a contract, nor does it limit the Government’s approach to acquisition. This RFI does not obligate the Government, and the Government will not reimburse any costs incurred in responding. Its purpose is to assess industry interests, capabilities, and qualifications. Responses to this notice, along with other market research, will inform the acquisition strategy, and help the Government further define its requirements.

2. Objective This Request for Information will outline the overarching objectives for the Research and Development of mission effects technologies that the Contractor may perform for the AFRL Mission Effects Division (AFRL/RAB) in the broadest and most flexible manner for the USAF. AFRL/RAB directs and conducts basic, exploratory and advanced research and development of fuzes, warheads, energetic materials, AI & decision-making, and weapon algorithm development. The objective of this research is to identify promising energetic material systems that can mature to transition into a larger, focused project while also identifying and exploring new energetic materials, new processing methods for producing energetic materials, and formulate those new materials that expand the frontiers in survivability, controlled output, multi-functionality, power density, and insensitivity. This research encompasses the synthesis, scale-up, production, processing, machining, and characterization of advanced energetic materials.

3. Statement of Capabilities (SOC) Interested sources are encouraged to respond to this RFI with a Statement of Capabilities that provides specific relevant knowledge and specifically addresses the contractor’s experience and ability to provide (either currently or via rapid modification of existing capabilities) to execute the above scope of work within 3 months after contract award.

4. Additional Details This effort requires specialized technical competencies to perform processing, handling, research, formulation, improved understanding of initiation/detonation performance, bulk and microstructural characterization, laboratory scale performance & properties testing, and advanced modeling/computation of advanced energetic materials at laboratory and larger scale. To ensure the integrity of laboratory operations and scientific data, personnel must possess verified qualifications to program, configure, and calibrate scientific instrumentation, advanced diagnostic systems, and additive manufacturing hardware. Respondents must demonstrate a technical safety baseline and a documented framework for maintaining equipment compliance and procedural standardization in high-hazard laboratory environments.

5. Requested Information Respondents are requested to provide detailed information on the following:

· Technical Capabilities: Description of the technology, solution or idea, functionality, readiness, expertise and how it addresses the specific area proposed

· Data Rights Assertions: Government anticipates “Unlimited Rights in Data”. If not then clearly delineate baseline intellectual property (background data developed exclusively at private expense).

· Business Size: Indicate whether your organization qualifies as a small business, or other socioeconomic category under FAR Part 19

· 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.)

· Preferred Contract Type: Indication of preferred contract type (e.g., FFP, CPFF, OT, traditional contract)

· Safety information: Consider how safety requirements will be met when developing these identified technologies/technical objectives

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

6. 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.

6.1 Process of Obtaining Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) Attachment Certain requirements and technical details associated with this RFI are Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and will not be posted publicly on SAM.gov. To request and qualify for access to the CUI attachment, interested parties must complete the following vetting process:

Send an email request to the points of contact listed in Section 7 with the subject line: “CUI Access Request: AFRL/RAK Energetic Material RFI – [Company Name]”.

Provide your organization’s CAGE Code, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and a current and approved Joint Certification Number (DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement.

Your company is required to meet the safeguarding standards of NIST SP 800-171 for processing and storing CUI, and have a current score registered in the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS).

Upon successful verification of JCP status and system safeguarding compliance, the Government will transmit the CUI attachment via a secure transfer method (e.g., DoD SAFE). Only U.S. Defense contractors with verified CAGE codes and active JCP certification are eligible to receive the CUI document.

6.2 Submission Package Requirements

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

· Militarily Critical Technology Data Agreement Certification 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?

6.3 Page Limitations & Document Formatting

Please limit your Statement of Capabilities to no more than five (5) single-spaced, 12-point front-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.

6.4 Information Security and Safeguarding

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.

While the information associated with this RFI is unclassified, any potential resulting contract or award agreement may require access to and generation of CUI and classified material, which will be governed by DD Form 254 (Contract Security Classification Specification).

7. Submission of Documentation Responses to the RFI shall be submitted to the points of contact below by 4:00 PM (CDT) 14 December 2026. Ensure only .pdf, .doc, docx,. xsls, or .xls documents are attached to your email. All other attachments may be deleted. Please submit all responses to the following POCs:

Mr. Adam Noffke adam.noffke@us.af.mil Ms. Allison McCowan allison.mccowan@us.af.mil Subject Line: RAB R&D RFI

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release: distribution is unlimited.