Signals Intelligence Focused Technologies for Exploitation and Reporting (SIFTER)
This ARA funds innovative research and prototype demonstration for signals intelligence exploitation, reporting, and analytics technologies for the Air Force, with white papers accepted from eligible offerors and full proposals by invitation only.
⚑ Open 2-step ARA: white paper first, invitation-only full proposal · FAR contracts or Other Transactions may be awarded · No limit on number of OTs to an individual offeror · Follow-on production award possible after successful OT prototype completion
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 90 strong | technical depth: central; funds applied research |
| IPPRA | 45 partial | portfolio topic: national_security_defense (primary); 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 ARA ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial announcement ADVANCED RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT (ARA) TITLE: Signals Intelligence Focused Technologies for Exploitation and Reporting (SIFTER) ARA NUMBER: FA8750-24-S-7007 PART I – OVERVIEW INFORMATION This announcement is for an Open, 2 Step ARA which is open and effective until 28 September 2029. 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 3pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 28 September 2029, the following submission dates are suggested to best align with projected funding: FY25 by 21 OCT 2024 FY26 by 25 SEP 2025 FY27 by 25 SEP 2026 FY28 by 25 SEP 2027 FY29 by 25 SEP 2028 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 investigate algorithms, methodologies, and techniques for the demonstration and evaluation of enhanced signal information exploitation, dissemination, and analytics of existing and emerging adversarial systems. Areas of emphasis include 1) onboard processing enhancements of manned and unmanned Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms; 2) high speed signal detection and prosecution technology demonstration, 3) cross domain multi-sensor/multi-platform data analytics, and 4) Open System Architecture (OSA) compliance for demonstration in operationally relevant environments. This ARA is a follow-on to ARA FA8750-22-S-7002 entitled “Signals Information Exploitation Technology Enhancements (SIETE). ARA ESTIMATED FUNDING: Total funding for this ARA is approximately $99.9M. Individual awards will not normally exceed 60 months with dollar amounts normally ranging from $1,000,000 to $5,000,000. There is also the potential to make awards up to any dollar value as long as the value does not exceed the available ARA ceiling amount. ANTICIPATED INDIVIDUAL AWARDS: Multiple Awards are anticipated. However, the Air Force reserves the right to award zero, one, or more Procurement Contracts or Other Transactions, 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 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) In the event that an Other Transaction for Prototype agreement is awarded as a result of this competitive ARA, 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): ARA PROGRAM MANAGER: David Rose, Program Manager AFRL/RIGC 525 Brooks Rd Rome, NY 13441-4505 Telephone: (315)330-2960 Email: David.Rose.50@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 ARA 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. Amendment No. 1 to ARA FA8750-24-S-7007 The purpose of this amendment is to: Section III, Paragraph 5, updates S&T Protection language; Section V, paragraph 2.e, updates the language regarding the S&T review; SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL AMENDMENT DETAILS. Amendment No. 2 to ARA FA8750-24-S-7007 The purpose of this modification is to update the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) throughout the synopsis. Part I, Agency Contact Information, and Part II, Section VII, Agency Contacts is updated to: ARA MANAGER: Charles Estrella AFRL/RIGC 525 Brooks Rd Rome, NY 13441-4505 Telephone: (315)330-7160 Email: charles.estrella@us.af.mil No other changes are made. SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL AMENDMENT DETAILS. Amendment No. 3 to BAA FA8750-24-S-7007 The purpose of this amendment is to: Part II, FULL TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT, adds language regarding Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Act (FASCSA) Orders; Section VI, paragraph 11, updates FINANCIAL RESOURCES requirements language; FULL TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT: Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Act (FASCSA) Orders: As of the date of this solicitation amendment, there are no applicable FASCSA orders. This requirement only applies to FAR based awards. SECTION VI: 11. FINANCIAL RESOURCES: Proposals shall include information to determine adequate financial resources to perform the effort, taking into consideration all existing commercial and governmental business commitments. See DFARS 232.072-2(b) for a list of the types of information used to support financial responsibility. Examples include financial statements (e.g. Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement, Compensation); disclosures of previous insolvency; business case/cash flow forecasts; financing arrangements; and/or letters of good standing from accredited financial institutions. Proposals shall also include all significant ratios as outlined in DFARS 232.072-2(b)(10)(i)-(vi). This requirement only applies to FAR based awards. No other changes are made.
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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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.