SETS BAA CALL 0003 SCREAM Announcement 20260127.docx

AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY/ SPACE VEHICLE DIRECTORATE SPACE ENVIRONMENT TECHNOLOGIES AND SCIENCE (SETS) PROGRAM

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA)

FA9453-23-R-X001

PROPOSAL CALL ANNOUNCEMENT CALL 003

Space Chemistry of Reactions through Experiments And Modeling (SCREAM)

FA9453-26-R-X010

27 January 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 Vehicles Directorate (RV) Geospace Technologies Division (RVB) Geospace Environment Impacts and Applications Branch (RVBX)

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

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

CALL ANNOUNCEMENT (CALL) NUMBER: 003 FA9453-26-R-X010

CALL TITLE: Space Chemistry of Reactions through Experiments And Modeling (SCREAM)

CALL TYPE: Open One Step Proposal

TECHNICAL AREAS: 1) Solar, Solar Wind, and Ionospheric Effects, 3) Plasma Physics and Chemistry

DUE DATE AND TIME: 27 Feb 2026; 4:00 p.m. Mountain 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:

A. BACKGROUND: The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Vehicles Directorate (RV) Geospace Technologies Division (RVB) Geospace Environment Impacts and Applications Branch (RVBX) is seeking 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 Topics 1 and 3 from the Space Environment Technologies and Science (SETS) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). Topic areas are:

1. Solar, Solar Wind, and Ionospheric Effects

3. Plasma Physics and Chemistry

C. OBJECTIVE: This effort requires highly specialized interdisciplinary expertise in various physical chemistry techniques in order to meet the research objectives provided below in the areas of space propulsion, space signatures, plasma kinetics, hypersonic reentry, and space vehicle/environment interactions. Moreover, this effort requires highly specialized interdisciplinary experts able to work in a dynamic laboratory environment as fully integrated team members in a continuous collaboration utilizing all laboratory findings. They must be able to iterate experiments and computations to meet the objectives based on relative findings. As integrated team members they are expected to enhance the ability of AFRL to meet long-term goals necessary to provide critical technological advantages from the application of physical chemistry to the space environment.

To support this effort, proposals should address the following research directions through experiments, theory, literature research, and modeling as appropriate to address the questions and transition the results to further Air Force Research Laboratory programs.

Space Chemistry Laboratory Task 1: Fundamental physical chemistry associated with electrospray thruster operations A. Perform experimental investigations to derive new fundamental physical insights into the dynamics occurring in the plume of electrospray thrusters.

B. Develop, perform and assess theoretical models, simulations and calculations of the plume of electrospray thrusters and their relative performance to available experimental observables.

C. Perform experiments and simulations into the in-flight dissociation of clusters generated from ionic liquid-based electrospray thrusters.

D. Perform fundamental experiments into electrospray thruster-surface material interactions including the effects of the space environment on any contamination.

Task 2: Hyperthermal physics of meteor re-entry and electric propulsion A. Support and advance basic research into the charge transfer dynamics of atmospheric charged species - metal vapor collisions at collision energies of 0.5-10 eV in the center of mass reference frame.

B. Perform quantitative, fundamental investigations into the luminescence resulting from the expected plume constituents of air-breathing electric propulsion systems interacting with atmospheric species at electric propulsion relevant collision energies.

C. Develop and assess new collisional radiative models associated with electric propulsion (air-breathing or typical in-space) operations.

Task 3: Charge conversion sensor materials A. Perform experiments to determine the efficacy of various surface materials to convert Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) atmospherically relevant neutral species into charged species at 5 eV collision energies.

B. Support any necessary modeling to provide insight into interpreting the experimental results of Task 3A.

Task 4: Space Weather Models, Forecasts, and Data Processing A. Support processing, organization and storage of data derived from AFRL’s Space Vehicles Directorate Space Weather related on-orbit activities such as CEASE-3/WSF-M, GRIDS, Diadem, etc.

B. Support basic science investigations into the use of the space weather data to generate real-time space environment monitoring and forecasting to support spacecraft anomaly assessments.

LaSR Chemistry Laboratory Task 1: Atmospheric Research A. Create and conduct experiments on metal vapor plumes to determine concentration or surface coverage.

B. Conduct experiments on reactions that are capable of vaporizing material or otherwise operate as thermal batteries.

C. Create models of experimental data, literature data and community models necessary to transition laboratory results into relevant scenarios.

D. Design and Engineering support of laboratory and associated AFRL level experiments and transitions.

E. Experiments and analysis on plumes from relevant sources such as space thrusters, other space gas releases, and atmospheric releases.

F. Support and analysis of large field campaigns and transition activities.

Task 2: Thrusters A. Conduct experiments on ion and cluster reaction rates in a linear ion trap.

B. Experiments and modeling of plume constituents interaction with the space environment and surfaces.

C. Experiments and simulations of VLEO thrusters and their effects on the space environment.

Task 3: Plasmas A. Use spectroscopy to better understand plasma dynamics and the state distributions in plasmas.

B. Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) of AFRL relevant materials and as a laboratory plasma source.

Task 4: General A. Spectroscopy support of other AFRL research programs as needed.

Plasma Chemistry Laboratory Task 1: Fundamental chemistry of weakly ionized plasmas A. Measure the temperature-dependent kinetics of thermal and non-thermal plasma processes including ion-molecule, dissociative recombination, electron attachment, and mutual neutralization reactions relevant to the ionosphere, hypersonic plasmas, combustion, materials degradation, and other systems of AF or SF interest.

B. Perform quantum chemical calculations to support and interpret laboratory measurements.

C. Develop and validate statistical models to support, interpret, and extrapolate laboratory measurements.

D. Develop rigorous methodologies for uncertainty analysis of both laboratory measurements and derived models.

E. Investigate fundamental aspects of chemistry in the mesosphere-lower thermosphere, including quantifying chemistries of species deposited from spacecraft ablation and predicting effects of transport phenomena.

F. Incorporate spectroscopic monitoring of excited-state atomic species in flow tube apparatus in order to improve kinetics measurements.

Task 2: Nanoparticle mass spectrometry A. Investigate the combustion of aluminum nanoparticles, with a focus on the size- and temperature-dependence of interactions with various oxidizing gases.

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

B. 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.

C. 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.

D. ANTICIPATED AWARD DATE: Expected award date is July 1, 2026.

E. ANTICIPATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE (POP): The anticipated contract period of performance is 63 months with 60 months for technical performance and 3 months for final reporting.

F. 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.

G. 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.

H. 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 FAR 52.204-2 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. FAR 52.204-2, Security Requirements and DAFFARS 5352.242-9000 Contractor Access to Department of the Air Force Installations apply to contracts made under this call.

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 27 February 2026, 1600 hours MDT.

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 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 Contractor Statement of Work (CSOW) detailing the technical tasks proposed to be accomplished under the proposed effort. The CSOW 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 FAR 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 referred to the contracting POC identified in the Call.

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 FAR 19.704, DFARS 219.704, 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 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 30page 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 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 provisions of FAR 52.215 1(c)(3).

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 or two-step approach. 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.

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: Lucas Reigelsperger, AFRL/RVFC E-mail: lucas.reigelsperger@spaceforce.mil

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

VI. CONTRACTING POINTS OF CONTACT:

Contracting Officer: Isaac Thorp, AFRL/RVKB E-mail: isaac.thorp@spaceforce.mil

Contract Specialist: Zachary Garcia, AFRL/RVKB E-mail: zachary.garcia.8@spaceforce.mil

VII. ATTACHMENTS

1. SCREAM SOW_CLIN Breakdown

2. RFP Cost Proposal Instructions

3. Reps and Certs

4. Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL’s)

5. DD254 Security Classification Specification

6. Data Assertions Table DFARS 252.227-7017

7. Proposal Adequacy Checklist

8. Standard Form 424

9. DD254 Draft

10. Security Program Questionnaire