Defense Experimentation Using the Commercial Space Internet
The Air Force Research Laboratory seeks proposals to support the Defense Experimentation Using Commercial Space Internet (DEUCSI) program under two parallel ARA processes.
⚑ Federal contract opportunity under AFRL ARA mechanisms (not a grant). · Eligibility is not stated in the notice text provided; attached announcements govern applicant classes and proposal steps. · Two parallel solicitation paths: ARA with Calls and Open Two-Step ARA. · No deadline listed in the notice excerpt.
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 75 strong | technical depth: central; funds applied research |
| IPPRA | 45 partial | peripheral portfolio topic: national_security_defense; social/behavioral work is none; funds applied research; eligibility unclear — verify in the NOFO |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 45 partial | funds applied research; prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
Description
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Strategic Development Planning and Experimentation (SDPE) office is announcing its intent to solicit proposals under both of the attached announcements: 1) Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) with Calls and 2) Open Two-Step Advanced Research Announcement (ARA). Both of these ARA's are being released in parallel and both fall under the Defense Experimentation Using Commercial Space Internet (DEUCSI) program. Both ARA's share the same budget ceiling, the same announcement number and the same overarching objectives. The ARA with Calls will solicit proposals via Call(s) for full proposals and the Open Two-Step ARA will solicit white papers, and if selected, full technical and cost proposals. Please see attached ARA's for additional details.
Eligibility
Applicant restrictions (federal contract). Set-aside: . Notice type: Presolicitation. Organization: DEPT OF DEFENSE / DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE / FA8650 USAF AFMC AFRL PZL AFRL/PZL.
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Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · Department of Defense (BAA-style) conventions SEE A DOD EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — Department of Defense (BAA-style)'s document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.