Optical Radiation Bioeffects and Safety

The Air Force Research Laboratory seeks research proposals on Optical Radiation Bioeffects and Safety (ORBS) via a two-step BAA solicitation (FA2384-26-S-B002) under the CHEERS Multiple Authority Announcement, with white papers due June 7, 2026. The procurement is unrestricted, with an estimated total program cost of $68 million and anticipated award date of November 5, 2026.

White papers are limited to 10 pages, formatted in 10-point Arial font double-spaced, and must address solicitation identification, period of performance, technical summary, and rough order of magnitude cost. Offerors whose white papers merit further interest will be invited to submit full technical and cost proposals in a second step; the subsequent proposal due date will be provided in the Request for Proposals. The primary performance period runs three years from November 5, 2026 through November 4, 2029, followed by two option years and three months of administrative performance.

Place of performance is Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas (711 HPW/RHD and 4141 Petroleum Drive, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston), with approved contractor-operated facilities and military installations as directed. The anticipated contract type is Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee, though the Air Force reserves the right to award Other Transactions or cooperative agreements. NAICS code is 541715; PSC code is AC11.

Research spans three functional areas: Novel Laser Bioeffects (laboratory and field studies on directed energy exposure across ultraviolet through near-infrared wavelengths); Nuclear Flash and Laser Eye Protection (human performance impacts, protective eyewear characterization, vulnerability modeling); and Modeling, Simulation & Analysis (physics-, engineering-, engagement-, and mission-level computational models for laser-tissue interactions, dosimetry, and safety analysis). Deliverables include technical reports, journal publications, software, hardware, and training materials. Animal subject use is anticipated; human subject use is not.

Security requirements include a Top Secret Facility Security Clearance for contractor access, with classified work involving Communications Security, Restricted Data, Sensitive Compartmented Information, NATO information, Foreign Government Information, and Controlled Unclassified Information. Personnel must comply with NISP, OPSEC, and CUI handling procedures, and notify the Government within 48 hours of security incidents. All Senior/Key Personnel and Covered Individuals undergo security risk review per AFRLI 61-113; applications must include Research and Related Senior Key Person Profile Worksheets, Security Program Questionnaires, and signed Privacy Act statements. Foreign-owned firms must notify the Contracting Officer before responding. Contractor personnel must hold Common Access Cards and comply with NIST SP 800-171 cybersecurity standards. The Government seeks unlimited rights to non-commercial technical data, software, and documentation. The Air Force reserves the right to award all, some, or none of the solicited effort.