Combat Identification Automated Target Recognition Technology (CATCH) Call 06

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Sensors Directorate, is soliciting proposals for advanced multi-sensor, multi-platform fusion solutions for air-to-ground automatic target recognition (ATR) under the Combat Identification Automated Target Recognition Technology (CATCH) Call 06 program, officially designated as the Universal Multi-sensor Processing for Intelligent Recognition and Evaluation (UMPIRE) initiative. The solicitation seeks Technology Readiness Level (TRL)-3+ algorithmic solutions and mature Air Force platforms capable of development to TRL-7 over a 4-5 year period, encompassing algorithm development, validation, system integration, demonstration, and transition. Key contract requirements include mandatory CMMC Level 2 certification at contract award, compliance with Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) and Special Access Program (SAP) security requirements, full U.S. citizenship for personnel requiring access to USAF bases or government IT networks (with limited exceptions for approved waivers), completion of Operations Security (OPSEC) training within 30 days of project commencement, and implementation of a comprehensive Science and Technology Protection Plan. Proposals will be evaluated primarily on technical merit, with cost and price realism as the secondary evaluation criterion, and offerors will be notified of award recommendations approximately 30 days after proposal submission. The proposal deadline is March 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM EDT, with technical and management proposals limited to 35 pages and Statements of Work limited to 10 pages.

This solicitation uses no set-aside designations and anticipates awarding one Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract with a total estimated value of $15,000,000 across fiscal years 2026-2031, with annual funding allocations of $1.5M, $2.5M, $3.0M, $3.0M, $3.5M, and $1.5M respectively. The contract requires a 63-month period of performance, consisting of 60 months of technical work and 3 months for final reporting, with an anticipated award date in April 2026. Work will be performed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The procurement is unrestricted to small businesses and large businesses alike, with NAICS code 541715 and a small business size standard of 1,000 employees; however, foreign participation is prohibited due to the TS/SCI and SAP classification requirements and International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) export control restrictions. No current contractors or incumbents are identified in the solicitation materials, and interested parties may obtain the complete Statement of Objectives, DD 254 security disclosure statement, and Government Furnished Information addendum by contacting Program Engineer Kameron Grubaugh or Contracting Officer Omar Eldadah.