Broad Agency Announcement for Air Superiority Technology. A. STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVE/ NEEDS: This is a BAA of the Air Force Research Laboratory, Munitions Directorate (AFRL/RW) under the provisions of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) paragraph 6.102(d)(2), which provides for competitive selection of research proposals. Proposals submitted in response to the BAA that are selected for award are considered to be the results of full and open competition and in full compliance with the provisions of PL 98-369, the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984.

This acquisition is unrestricted. Small businesses are encouraged to propose on all or any part of this solicitation. The NAICS Code for this acquisition is 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology), and the small business size standard is 1250 employees for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology).

For purposes of this announcement, research is defined to be scientific study and experimentation directed at increasing knowledge and understanding in relation to long term national security needs. It is an enhancement to related exploratory and advanced development programs. A program should be designed to demonstrate well-defined and substantive research results, should not be overly ambitious or open-ended, and should not be a paper study that inherently requires a substantial testing effort. Any significant testing is unlikely; however, there is a possibility of experimental testing to support battle lab experiments proposed under this BAA. Program to support Team Eglin Technology Demonstration Programs may also be considered under this BAA.

Under some circumstances, the Government expects that narrowly focused proposals for specific research interests under the research areas outlined in this BAA may be required during the time of this open announcement. Under those circumstances, proposal CALL announcements (CALLS) may be issued in Contract Opportunities (FBO) under FA8651-20-S-0008 to request proposals for specific topic areas. These subsequent CALLS will contain specific objectives and descriptions of the specific topic area to be addressed, anticipated period of performance, information peculiar to the specific topic area, and the expected dollar range for proposals received under a CALL, and evaluation criteria specified in the CALL.

AFRL/RW awards to educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and private industry for research in armament technology. This BAA is intended to cover, in general nature, all research areas of interest to the Air Superiority Technology Portfolio. Offerors contemplating a submission to AFRL/RWPI are strongly encouraged to contact the AFRL/RWPI technical Point of Contact (POC) for the research area to ascertain the extent of interest AFRL/RWPI may have in a specific research project.

AFRL/RW is the primary Air Force organization concerned with conventional munitions technology development. AFRL/RW plans and executes research, development, and test of conventional munitions, and supports conventional munitions Weapons Program Offices. There are three divisions within the Munitions Directorate that conduct research and Development (R&D). They are the Ordnance Division, the Strategic Planning and Integration Division, and the Weapon Engagement Sciences Division. This BAA provides specifically for the Strategic Planning and Integration Division, Air Superiority Portfolio.