AERIAL LAYER NETWORKING & TRANSMISSION TECHNOLOGIES

NAICS CODE:  541715

FEDERAL AGENCY NAME: Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL - Rome Research Site, AFRL/Information Directorate, 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome, NY, 13441-4514

BAA ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE:  Initial announcement

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT BAA:  Aerial Layer Networking & Transmission Technologies                                                                                             

BAA NUMBER: FA8750-23-S-7002

PART I – OVERVIEW INFORMATION

This announcement is for an Open, 2 Step BAA which is open and effective until 30 Sep 2027.  Only white papers will be accepted as initial submissions; formal proposals will be accepted by invitation only.  While white papers will be considered if received prior to 0500 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 30 Sep 2027, the following submission dates are suggested to best align with projected funding:

FY23 by 2 Mar 2023

FY24 by 15 September 2023

FY25 by 15 September 2024

FY26 by 15 September 2025

FY27 by 15 September 2026

Offerors should monitor the Contract Opportunities on the SAM website at https://SAM.gov in the event this announcement is amended.

CONCISE SUMMARY OF TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENT:   Today’s aerial layer ‘network’ architecture requires significant pre-planning and has limited interoperability. AFRL desires innovations to move from this current state to a significantly more on demand, self-forming, self-healing aerial layer network. Research in network monitoring and management, robust aerial networks, and proof of concept capabilities are sought to advance this objective.

This BAA is a follow-on to BAA FA8750-19-S-7001 entitled “Timely, Secure & Mission Responsive Aerial Warfighting Network Capabilties”.

BAA ESTIMATED FUNDING:  Total funding for this BAA is approximately $99.5M.  Individual awards will not normally exceed 36 months with dollar amounts normally ranging from $1M to $10M.  There is also the potential to make awards up to $49.5M.

ANTICIPATED INDIVIDUAL AWARDS:  Multiple Awards are anticipated.  However, the Air Force reserves the right to award zero, one, or more Procurement Contracts, Other Transactions, or assistance instruments, for all, some ,or none of the solicited effort based on the offeror’s ability to perform desired work and funding fluctuations. There is no limit on the number of OTs that may be awarded to an individual offeror.

TYPE OF INSTRUMENTS THAT MAY BE AWARDED:

FAR based Procurement contracts, DODGARS based grants and cooperative agreements or other transactions (OT) under 10 USC 4021, 10 USC 4022 and 10 USC 4023 (previously 10 USC 4003, 2371, 10 USC 4003, 2371b and 4004, 2373) depending upon the nature of the work proposed.

In the event that an Other Transaction for Prototype agreement is awarded as a result of this competitive BAA, and the prototype project is successfully completed, there is the potential for a prototype project to transition to award of a follow-on production contract or transaction. The Other Transaction for Prototype agreement itself will also contain a similar notice of a potential follow-on production contract or agreement.

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION:  All white paper submissions and any questions of a technical nature shall be directed to the cognizant Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) as specified below (unless otherwise specified in the technical area):

BAA PROGRAM MANAGER:                                                                 

  Timothy Weaver                                                                      

   AFRL/RITGA                                                                              

   525 Brooks Rd

   Rome, NY 13441-4505                                                             

   Telephone: (315)330-2958                                                  

   Email: timothy.weaver.16@us.af.mil <mailto:timothy.weaver.16@us.af.mil>                     

Questions of a contractual/business nature shall be directed to the cognizant contracting officer, as specified below (email requests are preferred):

    Amber Buckley

    Telephone (315) 330-3605

    Email:  Amber.Buckley@us.af.mil <mailto:Amber.Buckley@us.af.mil>

Emails must reference the solicitation BAA number and title of the acquisition.

Pre-Proposal Communication between Prospective Offerors and Government Representatives:  Dialogue between prospective offerors and Government representatives is encouraged.  Technical and contracting questions can be resolved in writing or through open discussions. Discussions with any of the points of contact shall not constitute a commitment by the Government to subsequently fund or award any proposed effort. Only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government.

Offerors are cautioned that evaluation ratings may be lowered and/or proposal rejected if proposal preparation (Proposal format, content, etc.) and/or submittal instructions are not followed.

SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL ANNOUCEMENT DETAILS.

                                               AMENDMENT 1 TO BAA FA8750-23-S-7002

The purpose of this modification is to update the following:

Part II:

1. Section I, adds paragraph 4 to the Technology Description;
2. Section V.2.b.2, adds language regarding the S&T process;
3. Section VI.7, updates the applicable provisions;
4. Section VII, updates the OMBUDSMAN date and AFFARS to DAFFARS.

No other changes are made.

SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL AMENDMENT DETAILS.

                                                AMENDMENT 2 TO BAA FA8750-23-S-7002

The purpose of this modification is to update the BAA Program Manager throughout to:

Peter Fitzgerald                                                         

AFRL/RITGB                                                                              

525 Brooks Rd

Rome, NY 13441-4505                                                            

Telephone: (315)330-2082                                                    

Email: peter.fitzgerald.1@us.af.mil        

No other changes are made.

SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL AMENDMENT DETAILS.

                                                    AMENDMENT 3 to BAA FA8750-23-S-7002

The purpose of this modification is to republish the original announcement, incorporating any previous amendments, pursuant to FAR 35.016(c).

This republishing also includes the following changes:

1. PART I, Overview Information

1. Updated the “type of instruments that may be awarded” language;

1. Part II, Full Text Announcement:
   1. Section IV, added language regarding responsible sources;
   2. Section IV.2, updated the white paper content and format instructions;
   3. Section IV.4.a, added language to the cost sharing or matching paragraph;
   4. Section VI.1, updates the Proposal Formatting language;
   5. Section IV.3, updated the debriefing language;
   6. Section VII, updates the provisions;
   7. Section VII, updates the OMBUDSMAN.

No other changes are made.

SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL AMENDMENT DETAILS.

                                      Amendment No. 4 to BAA FA8750-23-S-7002

The purpose of this amendment is to:

1. In Section VI.7, NOTICE, update the provisions as follows:

NOTICE:  The following provisions* apply:

1. FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management
2. FAR 52.204-16, Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting
3. FAR 52.204-22, Alternative Line Item Proposal
4. FAR 52.204-29, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders-Representation and Disclosures
5. FAR 52.211-14, Notice of Priority Rating for National Defense, Emergency Preparedness, and Energy Program Use
6. FAR 52.232-2, Service of Protest
7. DFARS 252.203-7005, Representation Relating to Compensation of Former DoD Officials
8. DFARS 252.204-7008, Compliance with Safeguarding Covered Defense Information Controls
9. DFARS 252.204-7019, Notice of NISTSP 800-171 DoD Assessment Requirements
10. DFARS 252.204-7024, Notice on the Use of the Supplier Performance Risk System
11. DFARS 252.215-7009, Proposal Adequacy Checklist
12. DFARS 252.215-7013, Supplies and Services Provided by Nontraditional Defense Contractors
13. DFARS 252.225-7055, Representation Regarding Business Operations with the Maduro Regime
14. DFARS 252.225-7057, Preaward Disclosure of Employment of Individuals Who Work in the People’s Republic of China
15. DFARS 252.225-7059, Prohibition on Certain Procurements from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region-Representation
16. DFARS 252.225-7973, Prohibition on the Procurement of Foreign-Made Unmanned Aircraft Systems-Representation (DEVIATION 2020-O0015) (MAY 2020)
17. DFARS 252.227-7028, Technical Data or Computer Software Previously Delivered to the Government
18. DFARS 252.239-7017, Notice of Supply Chain Risk
19. DFARS 252.239-7098, Prohibition on Contracting to Maintain or Establish a Computer Network Unless Such Network is Designed to Block Access to Certain Websites-Representation (Deviation 2021-O0003) (APR 2021)

* Please note that the current versions or deviations of the related clauses will be included in any resulting contract. Additional provisions may be included in any resultant contract, dependent upon each individual effort.

No other changes are made.

                                Amendment No. 5 to BAA FA8750-23-S-7002

The purpose of this amendment is to:

1. Section III, Paragraph 5, updates S&T Protection language;
2. Section V, paragraph 2.e, updates the language regarding the S&T review;

SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL AMENDMENT DETAILS.

                                          AMENDMENT 6 to BAA FA8750-23-S-7002

The purpose of this modification is to republish the original announcement, incorporating any previous amendments, pursuant to FAR 35.016(c).

This republishing also includes the following changes:

1. Part II, Full Text Announcement:
   1. Section I, changes reference to Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number to Assistance Listing number;
   2. Section III.2.b.2; updates the FOCI language;
   3. Section IV.3.a, updates the Information Protection contact info;
   4. Section IV.4.b, updates the provision date;
   5. Section IV.4.c, updates the CFR hyperlink;
   6. Section IV.4.e, adds language;
   7. Section V.2.c, updates language related to S&T review;
   8. Section VI.1; updates the proposal formatting language;
   9. Section VI.7, updates the provisions;
   10. Section VI, adds paragraph 10 “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) Compliance”;
   11. Section VI, adds paragraph 11 “Financial Resources”;
   12. Section VII, updates the OMBUDSMAN.

No other changes are made.

SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL AMENDMENT DETAILS.

                                       Amendment No. 7 to BAA FA8750-23-S-7002

The purpose of this amendment is to:

1. Part II, FULL TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT, adds language regarding Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Act (FASCSA) Orders;
2. Section VI, paragraph 11, updates FINANCIAL RESOURCES requirements language;

1. FULL TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT:

Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Act (FASCSA) Orders: As of the date of this solicitation amendment, there are no applicable FASCSA orders. This requirement only applies to FAR based awards.

1. SECTION VI:

11. FINANCIAL RESOURCES: Proposals shall include information to determine adequate financial resources to perform the effort, taking into consideration all existing commercial and governmental business commitments. See DFARS 232.072-2(b) for a list of the types of information used to support financial responsibility. Examples include financial statements (e.g. Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement, Compensation); disclosures of previous insolvency; business case/cash flow forecasts; financing arrangements; and/or letters of good standing from accredited financial institutions.  Proposals shall also include all significant ratios as outlined in DFARS 232.072-2(b)(10)(i)-(vi). This requirement only applies to FAR based awards.

No other changes are made.

                                                       Amendment No. 8 to  BAA FA8750-23-S-7002

The purpose of this amendment is to:

1. Part II, Section VI, adds paragraph 12 as follows;

12. 15% INDIRECT COST CAP ON ASSISTANCE AWARDS TO INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION: The policies of the OUSD(R&E) memo, “Implementation of a 15% Indirect Cost Cap on Assistance Awards to Institutions of Higher Education” dated 12 June 2025, will be applicable for the entirety of the award if there is a court decision permitting application of the policies.

No other changes are made.

Amendment No. 9 to BAA FA8750-23-S-7002

The purpose of this amendment is to:

1. Part II, FULL TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT, updates the language regarding Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act (FASCSA) Orders;

FULL TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT:

Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act (FASCSA) Orders: Depending on the date of issuance of this solicitation, FASCSA order(s) may be applicable. Therefore, the Offeror shall search for the phrase “FASCSA order” in the System for Award Management (SAM) (https://www.sam.gov) for any covered article, or any products or services produced or provided by a source, if there is an applicable Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders prohibition. This requirement only applies to FAR based awards.  

No other changes are made.

AMENDMENT 10 TO BAA FA8750-23-S-7002

The purpose of this modification is to republish the original announcement, incorporating any previous amendments, pursuant to FAR 35.016(c).

This republishing also includes the following changes:

1. Part II, Full Text Announcement:
   1. Section VI.1, updates proposal formatting language;
   2. Section VI.3, updates the debriefing language;
   3. Section VI.5.b.3, updates the DFARS clause;
   4. Section VI.5.c, updates the DFARS clause;
   5. Section VI.7, updates the provisions;
   6. Section VI, deletes paragraph 12 related to 15% indirect cost cap
   7. Section VII: updates the OMBUDSMAN

No other changes are made.

SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL ANNOUNCEMENT DETAILS. 

Amendment No. 11 to BAA FA8750-23-S-7002

The purpose of this amendment is to:

1. PART I-OVERVIEW INFORMATION, adds new language regarding assistance instruments regarding Gold Standard Science in accordance with Executive Order 14303;
2. PART II, Section V, paragraph 1, adds new language regarding evaluation criteria for assistance instruments.

SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL ANNOUNCEMENT DETAILS.