IPPRA / Grant Monitor

2026-07-07
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AERIAL LAYER NETWORKING & TRANSMISSION TECHNOLOGIES

FA875023S7002 · DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE · FA8750 AFRL RIK

computing communications national security defense ai data science

Closes
Award ceiling
Award floor
Program funding
Expected awards
Cost sharing
No
Posted
2024-02-20
Instrument
Characterization · gpt-5.4-mini · 2026-07-07

This BAA funds research and prototype development for aerial layer networking and transmission technologies for the Air Force, with white papers required first and formal proposals by invitation only.

Funds
applied research
University
direct
physical sciences
minor
engineering
central
computational data
central

⚑ Two-step BAA: white paper first, full proposal only by invitation. · Open through 30 Sep 2027; suggested annual white-paper dates listed. · May award contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, or Other Transactions depending on proposed work. · Potential follow-on production contract/transaction for OT prototype awards.

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: 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 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 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: Section I, adds paragraph 4 to the Technology Description; Section V.2.b.2, adds language regarding the S&T process; Section VI.7, updates the applicable provisions; 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: PART I, Overview Information Updated the “type of instruments that may be awarded” language; Part II, Full Text Announcement: Section IV, added language regarding responsible sources; Section IV.2, updated the white paper content and format instructions; Section IV.4.a, added language to the cost sharing or matching paragraph; Section VI.1, updates the Proposal Formatting language; Section IV.3, updated the debriefing language; Section VII, updates the provisions; Section VII, updates the OMBUDSMAN. No other changes are made. SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL AMENDMENT DETAILS.

Eligibility

Applicant restrictions (federal contract). Set-aside: . Notice type: Presolicitation. Organization: DEPT OF DEFENSE / DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE / FA8750 AFRL RIK.

Apply

View on Grants.gov →

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.

ONE LLM CALL (~1¢) · CACHED · REQUIRES STAFF KEY

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.

ONE LLM CALL (~2-3¢) · CACHED · SCAFFOLDING, NOT GHOSTWRITING