AFRL/RX Functional Materials Open BAA

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Materials & Manufacturing Directorate is soliciting white papers and technical proposals for innovative functional materials technologies ranging from scientific discovery through development, maturation, demonstration, and transition into operational systems. Research areas of interest include photonic materials (optical materials/processes and hardened materials/processing), nanoelectronic materials (nanoscale transport materials and quantum semiconductor materials), and soft matter materials (polymer/responsive materials and biomaterials). Work may encompass studies, research, characterization, processing, proof-of-concept development, and prototype hardware and software development. The two-step submission process requires white papers of no more than 4 pages plus a 1-page quad chart to be submitted by October 26, 2028, with selected offerors then having 30 working days to submit full technical and cost proposals limited to 20 pages plus a 1-page quad chart and a 10-page Statement of Work. An offeror submitting a proposal without first submitting a white paper is ineligible for award. Evaluation will consider the technical merit and innovation of the proposed research, feasibility of the approach, and cost reasonableness, with emphasis on advancing functional materials technologies within the AFRL's core technical competencies.

This is an unrestricted solicitation with no set-aside designations, though small businesses are encouraged to propose under NAICS codes 541713, 541714, and 541715 with small business size standards of 1,000 employees. The total estimated funding across all awards is approximately $500 million, with individual contract awards not to exceed $75 million per award. The Government may award any appropriate contract type, including Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), Other Transactions, grants, or cooperative agreements. The period of performance for each award ranges from 12 to 72 months total, including 9 to 69 months of technical effort plus 3 months for final reporting. All work will be performed in the United States, with primary coordination through the AFRL Wright Research Site, and contractors must comply with comprehensive security requirements including security risk reviews, personnel vetting, information protection protocols, and facility-specific security restrictions related to photography, recording devices, and personal data storage devices.