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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: Fight Tonight
BAA NUMBER: FA8750-22-S-7001
PART I – OVERVIEW INFORMATION
This announcement is for an Open, 2 Step BAA, with a partial Closed-Staggered, 2 Step BAA for Technical Area 1 (TA1) and Technical Area 2 (TA2), which is open and effective until 30 Nov 2026. 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 4 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 30 Nov 2026, the following submission dates are suggested to best align with projected funding:
Technical Area 1 (TA1) and Technical Area 2 (TA2) are structured as a Closed-Staggered, 2 Step BAA. Therefore, for TA1 and TA2 ONLY:
The Government anticipates awarding two awards for Technical Area 1 and two awards for Technical Area 2. Therefore, white papers for TA1 and TA2 are due on 10 JAN 2022 and if requested, proposals are due on 25 FEB 2022. Please note that white papers will still be accepted for TA1 and TA2 after the 10 JAN 2022 date, however, the likelihood of funding being available is substantially reduced.
For all other Technical Areas:
The Government anticipates adding technical areas via BAA amendment in the future. All potential Offerors are requested to wait to submit white papers until the BAA announcement is updated with specific technology requirements and dates.
Offerors should monitor the Contract Opportunities on the System for Award Management (SAM) website at https://sam.gov/ in the event this announcement is amended.
The Fight Tonight Program Team anticipates hosting an Industry Day to provide interested offerors an opportunity to learn more about Fight Tonight activities. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Industry Day is anticipated to be offered both in-person and virtually. Details regarding time, place, registration, format, and attendee access will be published on SAM shortly following the announcement publication proper.
CONCISE SUMMARY OF TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENT: The Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, NY, is seeking innovative research that revolutionizes air operations planning by combining Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven planning with interactive gaming to significantly reduce the Air Tasking Order planning cycle. Human-guided AI will generate myriad potential courses of action and the gaming environment will allow operators to explore, cull, and evaluate combat plans, gaining insight into the future battlespace.
The over-arching strategy of this five (5) year open BAA is to quickly and efficiently execute research and development to deliver practical solutions to urgent problems. These efforts are anticipated to entail rapidly integrating existing technology into field testable, functional prototypes of solutions to military problems in two (2) major Focus Areas:
Technical Area 1 (TA1): Interactive Plan Refinement
Technical Area 2 (TA2): Plan Gaming and Outcome Analysis
This strategy provides AFRL Rome, NY a solicitation tool with the flexibility to solicit white papers and proposals for Contract or agreements to perform rapid prototyping of technical solutions to meet compelling Air Force needs.
BAA ESTIMATED FUNDING: Total funding for this BAA is approximately $99M. Individual awards will not normally exceed 54 months with dollar amounts normally ranging from $3M to $40M. 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.
Any anticipated funding listed reflects estimated program funding only. This estimate is not a promise of funding. Funding is uncertain and is subject to change. Changes in availability may occur as a result of the exercise of Government discretion.
ANTICIPATED INDIVIDUAL AWARDS: Multiple Awards are anticipated.
TYPE OF INSTRUMENTS THAT MAY BE AWARDED: Procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements or other transactions (OT) 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:
Lt Col Sean Carlson
AFRL/RIS
525 Brooks Rd
Rome, NY 13441-4505
Telephone: (315)-330-2936
Email: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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.
AMENDMENT 1 TO BAA FA8750-22-S-7001
The purpose of this modification is to update the following:
BAA ESTIMATED FUNDING: Total funding for this BAA is approximately $99M. Individual awards will not normally exceed 30 months with dollar amounts normally ranging from $3M to $40M. This BAA is only requesting submissions for Phase I. 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.
Any anticipated funding listed reflects estimated program funding only. This estimate is not a promise of funding. Funding is uncertain and is subject to change. Changes in availability may occur as a result of the exercise of Government discretion.
The final phase of the program will be driven towards a compelling demonstration of Fight Tonight’s ability to support air operations planning in a major Air Force evaluation context, to include planning for thousands of targets as part of a coalition force. An integrated prototype will be linked to the external systems necessary to support full-scale scenarios developed and conducted in close cooperation with representatives from operational and acquisition communities within the Air Force.
All proposals should only address Phase I.
Individual awards will not normally exceed 30 months with dollar values normally ranging from $3M to $40M. 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 of $99M.
No other changes are made.
SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL ANNOUCEMENT DETAILS.
AMENDMENT 1 TO BAA FA8750-22-S-7001
The purpose of this modification is to update the following:
BAA ESTIMATED FUNDING: Total funding for this BAA is approximately $99M. Individual awards will not normally exceed 30 months with dollar amounts normally ranging from $3M to $40M. This BAA is only requesting submissions for Phase I. 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.
Any anticipated funding listed reflects estimated program funding only. This estimate is not a promise of funding. Funding is uncertain and is subject to change. Changes in availability may occur as a result of the exercise of Government discretion.
The final phase of the program will be driven towards a compelling demonstration of Fight Tonight’s ability to support air operations planning in a major Air Force evaluation context, to include planning for thousands of targets as part of a coalition force. An integrated prototype will be linked to the external systems necessary to support full-scale scenarios developed and conducted in close cooperation with representatives from operational and acquisition communities within the Air Force.
All proposals should only address Phase I.
Individual awards will not normally exceed 30 months with dollar values normally ranging from $3M to $40M. 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 of $99M.
No other changes are made.
SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL AMENDMENT DETAILS.
AMENDMENT 2 TO BAA FA8750-22-S-7001
The purpose of this amendment is to:
PART I – OVERVIEW INFORMATION
This announcement is for an Open, 2 Step BAA, with a partial Closed-Staggered, 2 Step BAA for Technical Area 1 (TA1) and Technical Area 2 (TA2), which is open and effective until 30 Nov 2026. 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 4 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 30 Nov 2026, the following submission dates are suggested to best align with projected funding:
Technical Area 1 (TA1) and Technical Area 2 (TA2) are structured as a Closed-Staggered, 2 Step BAA. Therefore, for TA1 and TA2 ONLY:
The Government anticipates awarding two awards for Technical Area 1 and two awards for Technical Area 2. Therefore, white papers for TA1 and TA2 are due on 10 JAN 2022 and if requested, proposals are due on 4 MAR 2022. Please note that white papers will still be accepted for TA1 and TA2 after the 10 JAN 2022 date, however, the likelihood of funding being available is substantially reduced.
For all other Technical Areas:
The Government anticipates adding technical areas via BAA amendment in the future. All potential Offerors are requested to wait to submit white papers until the BAA announcement is updated with specific technology requirements and dates.
SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES:
It is recommended that white papers be received by 4 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the following dates to maximize the possibility of award:
Technical Area 1 (TA1) and Technical Area 2 (TA2) are structured as a Closed-Staggered, 2 Step BAA. Therefore, for TA1 andTA2 ONLY:
The Government anticipates awarding two awards for Technical Area 1 and two awards for Technical Area 2. Therefore, white papers for TA1 and TA2 are due on 10 JAN 2022 and if requested, proposals are due on 4 MAR 2022. Please note that white papers will still be accepted for TA1 and TA2 after the 10 JAN 2022 date, however, the likelihood of funding being available is substantially reduced.
For all other Technical Areas:
The Government anticipates adding technical areas via BAA amendment in the future. All potential Offerors are requested to wait to submit white papers until the BAA announcement is updated with specific technology requirements and dates.
White papers will be accepted until 4 PM EST on 30 Nov 2026, but it is less likely that funding will be available in each respective fiscal year after the dates cited. This BAA will close on 30 Nov 2026.
All offerors submitting white papers will receive notification of their evaluation results within 45 days of submission. Offerors should email the TPOC and the Contracting Officer listed in Section VII, for status of their white paper(s) after 45 days, if no such correspondence has been received.
Certification Regarding Disclosure of Funding Sources
By submission of a white paper/proposal, you agree to abide by the following statement: "By signing this white paper/proposal, I certify the proposing entity is in compliance with Section 223(a) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 which requires that: (a) the PI and other key personnel certify that the current and pending support provided on the proposal is current, accurate and complete; (b) the PI and other key personnel agree to update such disclosure at the request of the agency prior to the award of support and at any subsequent time the agency determines appropriate during the term of the award; and (c) the PI and other key personnel have been made aware of the requirements under Section 223(a)(1) of this Act. I am aware that any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or claims may subject me to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties. (U.S. code, Title 218, Section 1001).
In accordance with AFFARS 5301.91, an Ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition announcement. Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. AFFARS Clause 5352.201-9101 Ombudsman (Oct 2019) will be incorporated into all contracts awarded under this BAA.
The AFRL Ombudsman is as follows:
Mr. Steven Ewers
1864 4th Street
WPAFB OH 45433
Phone: (937) 904-9700
FAX: (937) 656-7321
No other changes are made.
PLEASE SEE ATTACHMENT FOR AMENDMENT 2
Amendment No. 3 to BAA FA8750-22-S-7001
The purpose of this amendment is to:
5. In accordance with AFRLI 61-113, S&T Protection, Contractors/Recipients are required to submit with their proposal a Standard Form 424, "Research and Related and Senior and Key Person Profile (Expanded), as well as a Security Program Questionnaire, which are included in the RI-Specific Proposal Preparation Instructions and can be accessed at:
https://sam.gov/opp/e628c811fafe041accdddf55fb8539bf/view?keywords=AFRL-BAA-GUIDE&sort=-relevance&index=&is_active=true&page=1. Always reference the
newest versions of these documents. Complete and submit the required forms with your proposal to the technical point of contact (TPOC) listed in Section VII-Agency Contacts AND [email protected].
Contractors will be required to provide documentation of their Security Program Plan for initial Institution S&T Protection Program Review. The purpose of requesting the plan is to evaluate the offeror’s capacity for protecting the Government’s S&T and failure to demonstrate a plan adequate to meet the needs of the requirement may be grounds for considering the proposal unawardable. In the event a security risk is identified and the Government has determined the security risk exceeds the acceptable threshold, the Contractor/Recipient will be notified and informed of the termination/decline of award. The Government will be only required to provide a general statement of the reasoning due to Government OPSEC measures.
After award, the Contractor/Recipient will be required to re-submit the Standard Form 424 as an annual requirement to the points of contact listed above.
No other changes are made.