RFI-AFRL-FA2377-2025-RYZZ.pdf

Request for Information

Air Force Research Laboratory Sensors Directorate for advancing and integrating Combat Identification algorithms and software into the

AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) on the F-16

1.0 Description

1.1 This Request for Information (RFI) is for planning purposes only and should not be construed as a solicitation/call for proposals under a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), another solicitation vehicle, acceptance of unsolicited proposals, or an obligation on the part of the Government. The Government will not pay for the preparation of any information submitted, administrative costs incurred or for the Government’s use of that information. No Contract or other instrument will be issued as a result of this RFI. The Sensors Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, WPAFB, OH (AFRL/RYZZ) is issuing an RFI based on the objectives discussed below. However, at this time AFRL is only seeking industry inputs, ideas, and capabilities to include inputs, ideas and capabilities from small businesses. Candidate technologies/concepts may be considered for future funding subject to future available appropriations. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if any is issued. If a firm requirement materializes, that requirement will be synopsized on the SAM.gov website and formal proposals will be requested. It is the responsibility of any interested party to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

1.2 More specifically, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/RYZZ) is requesting information regarding advancing and integrating Combat Identification algorithms and software into the AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) on the F-16. Included in this activity is development and integration of F-16 JMAC and OMS Rapid Development (FJORD) and testing novel Operational Flight Program (OFP) configurations. FJORD has been under development for 5 years. This procurement will advance FJORD to the completion of flight tests through development of a test OFP, to include both laboratory and flight demonstrations, and allow for transition opportunities.

2.0 Background

The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Sensors Directorate mission is to lead the discovery and development of future capabilities, providing integrated Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), combat identification and spectrum warfare effects. This RFI supports basic and applied research and development in RF sensor phenomenology, modeling and simulation, algorithm & waveform development, and experimentation emphasizing distributed and layered sensing in a contested or denied environment.

3.0 Requested Information

The requested information is to support the exploration of prior and/or ongoing technology development with regards to the subjects in Paragraph 1. The objectives under this effort include:

3.1 Extend the current FJORD program to include refined combat identification algorithm development capabilities. Maintain and further develop FJORD-specific test OFPs for the AN/APG-83 SABR for flight testing capabilities. Advance data generation and modification for use with FJORD training and testing capabilities. Design, implement, and test all new and updated components and update software documentation as necessary.

3.2 Advance combat identification software to use on more than one platform type. Maintain and further develop multi-ship modeling efforts with the AN/APG-83 SABR to evaluate performance in a wide range of operating conditions to include air-to-air, air-to-ground, and ground-to-air.

3.3 Perform enhancements to the FJORD framework necessary for employment in a combat setting and meeting transition organizations’ mission set. Provide improvements that enable long-term integration with the AN/APG-83 SABR OFP cycle.

3.4 Integrate components into appropriate systems pertaining to the AN/APG-83 SABR, develop test plans, generate test results, and perform system level integration and testing in all contractor-maintained environments including but not limited to local, cloud-based, and classified installations. Deliver FJORD, integrated systems software, and support remote installation and verification testing at Government sites. Provide documentation, data sets, and automated verification testing capabilities. Provide on-site integration and demonstration and support subject matter expert and end-user testing as needed. Support experimentation with transition organizations in obtaining the necessary approvals to achieve and maintain authority to operate (ATO) and related operational approvals for the system. Generate required documentation to support the Risk Management Framework process. Work with transition organizations to identify software that are unapproved and develop plans for resolving any issues that arise with unapproved software.

4.0 Responses

4.1 To reduce the barrier of entry for responses, interested parties can contact the Government Points of Contact listed in Paragraph 6.0 to set up a phone call to discuss the requested information and to ask clarifying questions before deciding to submit responses. Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with information and documentation prepared in a cost-effective manner in order to reduce response costs. Please do not include commercial literature, brochures, catalogs or sales information in the response. The Government will not pay for the preparation of any information submitted, administrative costs incurred or for the Government’s use of that information.

4.2 Information and documentation e.g. a brief technical summary (not to exceed the page limitations specified below) of the responder’s capabilities submitted in response to this RFI is due no later than 03 November 2024, 2359 EST. Responses shall be limited to the page limitations specified below and submitted via e-mail to the Government TPOC listed in Section 4.2 of this RFI (for UNCLASSIFIED responses only). If the response is CLASSIFIED, email the Government TPOC to obtain further submission instructions. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions will not be returned. The following is the Government Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) who will review the responses.

Kameron Grubaugh, (937) 713-8275, Kameron.Grubaugh@us.af.mil

4.3 The first part and portion of the response (Section 1 of Response) should include administrative information, and shall include the following as a minimum:

4.3.1 Name, mailing address, overnight deliver address (if different than mailing address), phone number, fax number, and email of designated point of contact.

4.3.2 Descriptive title of work detailed within Section 2 and Section 3 of Response.

4.3.3 Business type (large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a) certified small disadvantaged business, HUBZone small business, woman-owned small business, veteran -owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business).

4.3.4 The facility security clearance of the offeror.

The number of pages in the information and documentation submitted under 4.3.1 - 4.3.4 are not be included in any of the page limitations discussed below, i.e., the page limitation only applies to Sections 4.4 and 4.5 of this RFI as discussed below.

4.4 The second part and portion of the response/submittal (Section 2 of Response) shall answer the issues addressed in Sections 3.1 and 3.2 above of this RFI and shall be limited to 5 pages inclusive of both sections.

4.5 The third and final part and portion of response/submittal (Section 3 of Response) shall answer the issues addressed in Sections 3.3 and 3.4 above of this RFI and shall be limited to 5 pages inclusive of both sections.

5.0 Industry Discussions

To clarify, Government POCs may or may not choose to meet with potential responders as indicated in paragraph 4.1 above. Such conversations, interactions and interchanges would only be intended to get further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements and could be conducted at varying classification levels. Industry conversations, interactions and interchanges may happen before or after information and documentation submission, but it is highly encouraged to have conversations before information and documentation submission.

6.0 Questions

mailto:Kameron.Grubaugh@us.af.mil

Regarding this RFI announcement, written but no verbal technical questions will be accepted and shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the TPOCs listed above with a copy to the Contracting Officer, Omar Eldadah, omar.eldadah@us.af.mil. However, no written or verbal contracting, no written or verbal financial and no written or verbal business questions will be accepted. In addition, and to confirm, no verbal technical, contracting, financial or business questions will be accepted. If technical questions submitted in writing are answered, responses will be sent directly back to the requestor but will not be posted to any government point of entry or website since this is market research being conducted under this RFI. The Government does not guarantee that any and all questions received will be answered.

7.0 Summary

THIS IS a REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify sources that can advance and integrate Combat Identification algorithms and software into the AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) on the F-16. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Government has not made a commitment to acquire any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI shall not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions will not be returned.

mailto:omar.eldadah@us.af.mil