Air Force issues BAA for R&D projects in C2ISR and cyber systems

On September 21, the United States Air Force issued the following broad agency announcement (BAA) to solicit insight and comprehension of emerging technologies to assist in meeting its mission to evaluate technology gaps and risks with informed consideration of current and emerging technology projects in the areas of C2ISR, and cyber systems. Responses are requested within 45 days.

The United States Air Force (AF) is issuing this BAA under the provisions off the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subparts 6.102(d)(2) and 35.016 in order to allow for the competitive selection of research proposals. Contract award(s) based on responses to the BAA are in compliance with the provisions of the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984 (PL 98-369 sec. 2701) as codified in 10 USC 2304.

This BAA is authorized for the acquisition of basic and applied research and that part of development not related to the development of a specific system or hardware procurement. The objective of this BAA is to encourage participation by science and technology based firms and educational institutions in meeting AF R&D goals for innovative ideas, technology based theories and approaches for research that is responsive to technologies identified in Attachments 2 thru 4 of this document.

The AFLCMC/XZC Development Planning (DP) organization is responsible for bridging warfighter identified capability needs to the planning for acquisition of future materiel solutions. AFLCMC/XZC seeks insight and comprehension of emerging technologies to assist in meeting its mission to evaluate technology gaps and risks with informed consideration of current and emerging technology projects in the areas of Command, Control, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (C2ISR), and for cyber systems. Technology projects may include empirical research, test beds, and proof of concept demonstrations.

This BAA identifies the scientific and technical topics as listed in Attachment 2 that are considered viable interest areas. The notional topics as listed in Attachments 3 and 4 represent currently planned focus areas. Submissions to this BAA solicitation do not obligate the Government. Only the Government Procurement Contracting Officer (PCO) has the authority to obligate the Government.  Current areas of interest for FY16 include: Concepts for: the establishment of a Cyber Mission Rehearsal Environment (CMRE) for Air Force Cyber Protection Teams; supporting the future Airborne Battle Management and Surveillance (ABMS) mission; the establishment and dissemination of timely and accurate messaging, communications and data tracking for Integrated Tactical Warning and Attack Assessment/Command and Control (ITW/AA C2) systems; supporting the future of the Combat Survivor Evader Locater (CSEL) system mission; supporting the future of the Air Superiority 2030 Enterprise Capability Collaboration Team (ECCT) missions; and supporting the Ground Based Strategic Deterrence (GBSD) ECCT

In an effort to minimize proposal preparation cost, this BAA utilizes a two-step process.  Generally, the first step will be the submission of a concept paper. Offerors who submit concept papers that are consistent with the intent of the BAA, and are of interest to the government will be invited to submit a proposal (step two). Such an invitation does not assure that the submitting organization will be awarded a contract.

Full information is available here.

Source: FedBizOpps