SPACE PROPULSION RESEARCH AND INNOVATION FOR NEUTRALIZING SATELLITE THREATS (SPRINT) BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA)

The Space Propulsion Research and Innovation for Neutralizing Satellite Threats (SPRINT) program is a Broad Agency Announcement issued by the Air Force Research Laboratory Aerospace Systems Directorate. The program seeks innovative research proposals to mature spacecraft propulsion technologies to improve resiliency, specifically focusing on chemical monopropellant and bipropellant thrusters, electric propulsion, multi-mode thrusters, plume phenomenology, and mission utility architectures. The solicitation encompasses ground and space experiments, studies, and modeling and simulation activities. While the estimated program cost is 95 million dollars, individual awards are generally anticipated to range between 100,000 and 10 million dollars, with some maximum award values exceeding 50 million dollars. The BAA has undergone several amendments, most notably increasing the open period from 5 to 20 years and removing the program ceiling in favor of single award limits. The government primarily anticipates cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts and encourages small business participation. Proposals are submitted as five-page white papers and are evaluated based on technical consistency with program goals, government interest, and funding availability. Awards are categorized as either Highly Recommended or Selectable. Key administrative requirements include registration in the System for Award Management, the use of WAWF-RA for invoicing, and adherence to strict data rights where the government typically expects unlimited rights for data developed entirely at government expense. Certain efforts may require security clearances up to Top Secret/SCI.