ULTRA-BROADBAND TERAHERTZ RADIO DEVELOPMENT
This BAA funds innovative research to develop and demonstrate ultra-broadband terahertz radios above 100 GHz for future Air Force communications in contested spectrum environments.
⚑ Open 2-step BAA: white papers first, formal proposals by invitation only. · Multiple instrument types possible, including procurement contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and OT. · Foreign entities are not explicitly restricted in the notice, but standard federal award terms may still apply. · White papers are accepted until 19 Sep 2028; suggested annual alignment dates are listed in the notice.
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 90 strong | technical depth: central; funds applied research |
| IPPRA | 45 partial | peripheral portfolio topic: national_security_defense; social/behavioral work is none; funds applied research; capped at 45 (limited social-science role) |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 45 partial | funds applied research; prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
Description
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) TITLE: Ultra-broadband Terahertz Radio Development BAA NUMBER: FA8750-23-S-7009 PART I – OVERVIEW INFORMATION This announcement is for an Open, 2 Step BAA which is open and effective until 19 Sep 2028. 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 1700 Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 19 Sep 2028, the following submission dates are suggested to best align with projected funding: FY24 by 15 Dec 2023 FY25 by 20 Sep 2024 FY26 by 19 Sep 2025 FY27 by 18 Sep 2026 FY28 by 17 Sep 2027 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: Seeking innovative research to develop and demonstrate an ultra-broadband radio operating above 100 GHz for future air force communications capabilities in contested spectrum environments. Collaboration is encouraged. This BAA is a follow-on to BAA FA8750-18-S-7016 entitled Terahertz (THz) Communications. BAA ESTIMATED FUNDING: Total funding for this BAA is approximately $9.9M. Individual awards will not normally exceed 36 months with dollar amounts normally ranging from $200K to $4M. There is also the potential to make awards up to any dollar value as long as the value does not exceed the available BAA ceiling amount. 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 4002, 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: Peter Ricci AFRL/RITGA 525 Brooks Rd Rome, NY 13441-4505 Telephone: (315)330-2427 Email: Peter.Ricci.1@us.af.mil ALTERNATE BAA MANAGER: Claire Parisi AFRL/RITGA 525 Brooks Rd Rome, NY 13441-4505 Telephone: (315)330-2379 Email: Claire.Parisi@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 Email: 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 ANNOUNCEMENT DETAILS.
Eligibility
Applicant restrictions (federal contract). Set-aside: . Notice type: Presolicitation. Organization: DEPT OF DEFENSE / DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE / FA8750 AFRL RIK.
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