Structural Materials Open BAA

The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Materials & Manufacturing Directorate, Structural Materials Division, is seeking white papers and potentially full technical and cost proposals under solicitation FA8650-18-S-5010 to advance structural materials science and engineering capabilities aligned with Air Force operational needs. This open Broad Agency Announcement targets innovations spanning fundamental discovery through technology development and transition, with emphasis on technical merit, novelty, and transition potential to future Air Force systems. Proposals must align with the Statement of Objectives, which outlines both academic competencies in structural materials and specific application areas. Submissions are required in two volumes—a Technical/Management Proposal capped at 20 pages plus a one-page quad chart, and a Cost/Business Proposal—with the Statement of Work limited to an additional 10 pages. All documents must adhere to strict formatting rules: 10-point Arial font, double-spaced, 1-inch margins, and page numbering beginning with the cover. White papers are due by the announced deadline, and selected respondents have 30 working days to submit full proposals electronically via email to the Contracting POC or through Grants.gov, with hard copies no longer accepted unless specifically authorized. The solicitation is open through September 20, 2027. Proposals are evaluated using a highest-priority trade-off method where technical merit outweighs cost, with sub-factors including innovation, understanding of scope, technical approach soundness, risk mitigation, and potential for transition to government use. Cost proposals are assessed for realism and reasonableness across flexible contract types, including Firm-Fixed-Price, Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee, Cost Reimbursement, and Cost Share. Performance periods will range from 12 to 60 months per award, with primary performance at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Deliverables must be provided with Unlimited Rights, and all technical data and non-commercial software are subject to Government-furnished property and export control requirements under ITAR, EAR, and DFARS clauses, requiring submission of DD Form 2345 if export-controlled. Unique Entity Identifier and CAGE Code are mandatory, along with business size status certification, and subcontracting plans apply for awards over $700,000 unless the offeror is a small business. Security requirements are stringent: S&T protection plans, personnel risk assessments based on SF-424 forms, and annual updates are mandatory; facility clearances up to Top Secret/SCI may be required depending on the project.