Combat Identification Automated Target Recognition Technology (CATCH) Call 04

The Air Force Research Laboratory is seeking proposals for the Combat Identification Automated Target Recognition Technology (CATCH) Call 04 program to develop Air-to-Air Combat Identification technology through feature fusion engines and next-generation CID algorithms for both single and multiplatform research applications. Proposals must demonstrate technical merit, potential to advance technology, and cost realism in addressing the government's objectives to test, assess, evaluate, and improve current CID performance in context with existing fielded platforms and ongoing Department of Defense research activities. Key contract requirements include that offerors must employ US citizens holding TS/SCI security clearances, maintain adequate accounting systems for cost tracking, comply with export control regulations, and foreign participation is not authorized due to the sensitive nature of the technology. The government will evaluate proposals through a peer or scientific review process, considering technical excellence and cost realism, with the potential to award some, all, or none of the proposals based on technical review, agency program importance, and funding availability. The proposal submission deadline is December 1, 2025, with an anticipated award date in February 2026, and proposals are limited to 35 pages for the technical and management section plus 10 pages for the Statement of Work.

This is an unrestricted competition with no set-aside designations, and the contract will be awarded as a single Cost Plus Fixed Fee agreement valued at approximately $15 million. The performance period spans 63 months, comprising 60 months of technical work and 3 months for final reporting, with funding distributed across fiscal years 2026 through 2031. No incumbent contractor is identified in the solicitation materials. All work will be performed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. The effort encompasses applied research and advanced development activities that will include analysis, testing, assessment, evaluation, and reporting on identified CID technology concepts to support both operational and tactical improvements in combat identification capabilities across the Air Force and broader Department of Defense research community.