AFWERX PRIME INNOVATIVE CAPABILITIES OPENING

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the AFWERX Prime Innovative Capabilities Opening (ICO) Call 0002.

• Scope Focus: The primary focus is on hardware-focused electrification solutions. While software-based simulation, optimization, and AI-driven validation platforms are not excluded, they are secondary to the main objective.
• Solution Maturity: Solutions must be sufficiently mature to support credible demonstration and generate quantitative performance data within the period of performance. This applies even to system-level optimization, predictive modeling, and intelligent training environments for electrified aircraft.
• Early-Stage Technology: Concepts relying primarily on early-stage research without a clear path to demonstration may be less competitive.

This Q&A clarifies the scope and maturity expectations for solutions, guiding potential bidders on the most competitive types of submissions.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation (Call 0002) from AFWERX Prime seeks prototype projects focused on the electrification and hybrid-electric propulsion of fixed-wing aircraft. The goal is to assess and accelerate these emerging technologies in partnership with industry, aiming to improve aircraft performance, reduce costs, and enhance operational capabilities, particularly for Department of the Air Force (DAF) mission sets.

• Solutions should be mature enough for credible demonstration and quantitative performance data generation.

• Efforts may address propulsion architectures, power/energy management, thermal management, system integration, and aircraft-level performance impacts.

• Deliverables should align with the technical maturity of the proposed solution, potentially including:

  • Program Kickoff & Reviews
  • Baseline Definition & Metrics
  • System Architecture & Integration
  • Engineering Analysis & M&S
  • Test & Demonstration Plan
  • Ground Test Data & Analysis
  • Prototype / Aircraft Demonstration Results
  • Final Technical Report

• Awards are expected to have a maximum period of performance of 24 months.

• Work will primarily be performed at contractor facilities.

• The contract type is anticipated to be "Other Transactions for Prototype."

• Submission: A not-to-exceed 10-slide Pitch Deck must be submitted via email to afrl.primeicocall002.ext@afrl.af.mil.

• Open Period: March 20, 2026, through April 18, 2026, 11:59 PM EDT.

• Evaluation: Pitch Decks will be evaluated based on eligibility, technical feasibility, importance to the Government, technology maturity, and the credibility of the proposed data-generation and demonstration approach.

• Next Step: Based on Pitch Deck evaluation, the Government may invite selected offerors to submit a Request for Proposal (RFP).

• Entities must be registered via SAM.gov and eligible to receive federal awards.

• Performance is restricted to US-based firms only (Export Controlled).

• Foreign participation is precluded.

• The Government reserves the right to select one, multiple, or no offerors.

• The Government will not pay for costs associated with Pitch Deck submissions.

• Non-Government advisors (Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. and Peerless Technologies) may have access to submitted data.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is an Innovative Capabilities Opening (ICO) with "Calls" issued by AFWERX Prime, AFRL/RGP. It serves as an umbrella solicitation to identify and acquire new solutions and capabilities for the Department of the Air Force. The ICO is designed to remain open indefinitely, with amendments (Calls) issued to define specific areas of interest. The primary purpose is to solicit solutions for prototype and potential follow-on production.

• The ICO itself does not request Pitch Decks or proposals; these are only requested in response to specific "Calls" issued via amendments.

• "Calls" will detail specific Areas of Interest (AOI), submission instructions, timelines, and points of contact.

• Solutions are sought for "Prototype Projects" as defined by 10 U.S.C. § 4022(e)(5), which can include proof of concept, pilot applications, agile development, etc.

• Awards are anticipated to be Other Transactions (OT) under 10 U.S.C. § 4022, not assistance instruments like grants.

• Awards will be Other Transactions (OT) for Prototype Projects.

• Iterative prototyping is permitted, allowing for modification of scope.

• Follow-on production contracts or OTs may be negotiated after successful prototype completion.

• The process involves a two-step methodology:

  • Step 1: Pitch Deck Submission: Offerors submit a 10-slide Pitch Deck summarizing their technical approach. Submissions are evaluated for eligibility, technical feasibility, and importance to agency objectives.
  • Step 2: Request for Proposal (RFP): Selectable offerors from Step 1 may be invited to submit a full written proposal and negotiate terms.

• Evaluations and awards may occur during the "Open Period" defined in each Call.

• The Government reserves the right to select all, some, or none of the submitted solutions.

• Offerors must be registered in SAM.gov and eligible to receive federal awards.

• Eligibility for prototype award under 10 U.S.C. § 4022(d) is required.

• Specific participation limitations for Foreign-Owned businesses will be defined at the Call level.

• Offerors must assert their eligibility category (e.g., non-traditional defense contractor, small business).

• Funds are subject to availability.

• Questions should be submitted to afrl.primeicocall002.ext@afrl.af.mil; responses will be made public.

• Offerors must have a valid CAGE and Unique Entity ID (UEI) and register in SAM.gov and Wide Area Work Flow (WAWF).

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is an Innovative Capabilities Opening (ICO) umbrella solicitation (FA228024R0007) issued by AFWERX Prime, AFRL/RGP, to establish a framework for future "Calls" to procure prototype projects using Other Transactions (OT) authority under 10 U.S.C. § 4022. The ICO remains open until AFWERX determines no further requirements exist. Its purpose is to accelerate and "prime" emerging commercial markets by incorporating military interests to advance new technologies.

• The ICO itself does not request Pitch Decks or proposals; these are only submitted in response to specific "Calls" issued via amendments.

• Each Call will detail specific Areas of Interest (AOI), submission instructions, timelines, and points of contact.

• Prototype projects may involve proof of concept, models, reverse engineering, pilot applications, agile development, or demonstration of technical/operational utility.

• Awards will be Other Transactions (OT) for Prototype Projects under 10 U.S.C. § 4022.

• OTP agreements must meet at least one of four conditions, including participation by non-traditional defense contractors or small businesses, or justification by the senior procurement executive for innovative business arrangements.

• The Government reserves the right to award an OT Agreement, including prototype and follow-on production, or no contract instrument at all.

• Iterative prototyping is permitted, allowing for modification of scope by mutual agreement.

• A two-step methodology will be followed for each Call:

  • Step 1: Pitch Deck Submission (10 slides) summarizing the proposed technical approach. Submissions will be evaluated for eligibility, technical feasibility, and importance to agency objectives.
  • Step 2: Request for Proposal (RFP) for selectable submissions, requiring a written proposal and negotiation of terms.

• Awards are subject to the availability of funds.

• Evaluation criteria for Pitch Decks include eligibility (SAM.gov registration required), technical feasibility, and importance to the Government.

• Offerors must be registered in SAM.gov and possess a CAGE and UEI number.

• Offerors must assert their eligibility category (e.g., non-traditional defense contractor, small business).

• Participation limitations for Foreign-Owned businesses will be defined at the Call level.

• Awards are not anticipated to be assistance instruments (e.g., grants).

• Funds are not presently available for this ICO; obligations are contingent upon appropriated funds.

• Questions should be submitted via the provided Google Forms link.

• Proprietary information will be protected.

• DD Form 2345 (Defense Logistics Agency Joint Certification Program) may be required.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a solicitation for the AFWERX Autonomy Prime Innovative Capabilities Opening (ICO) focused on Autonomy Proving Ground Fly-Offs (Call 0001). The U.S. Air Force (USAF) is seeking prototype projects from nontraditional and traditional defense contractors to assess and accelerate emerging autonomy technologies. The goal is to establish a collaborative strategy with industry and investors to field promising technologies for the Government's benefit and potential commercial success.

• The Fly-Off will focus on alternate navigation solutions for small unmanned aircraft, including systems leveraging visual reference, inertial, timing propagation via signals, magnetic, and solar/astronomical techniques, as well as other novel solutions.

• Offerors must demonstrate their solutions' ability to meet stated technical objectives and provide a path for adaptation.

• Solutions must be demonstrated onboard SUAS to USAF test professionals.

• Key deliverables include flight test planning materials, successful integration of the navigation system onto a test aircraft, completion of flight tests, and a final test report.

• The document outlines a two-step process: Step 1 involves Pitch Deck submission and evaluation, followed by Step 2, a potential Request for Proposal (RFP) for selected offerors.

• Awards are anticipated to be prototype awards under 10 U.S.C. § 4022(d), not assistance instruments like grants.

• The Government reserves the right to cancel the solicitation and will not reimburse offerors for costs associated with responding.

• Open Period: January 31, 2024, to August 1, 2024, 11:59 PM EST.

• Step 1: Pitch Deck Submission: Submit a not-to-exceed 10-slide Pitch Deck via a provided web form or email. Pitch Decks should include company background, navigation system overview (technical, cost, capabilities), estimated SWAP-C requirements, and estimated navigation solution accuracy.

• Evaluation: Pitch Decks will be evaluated based on eligibility (SAM.gov registration), technical feasibility, and importance to the Government.

• Step 2: RFP: Selected offerors may be invited to submit a written proposal and negotiate terms.

• Restricted to U.S. based firms only (Export Controlled).

• Foreign participation is precluded.

• Entities must be registered via SAM.gov and eligible to receive federal awards.

• The document references AFWERX Prime and its expansion from the Agility Prime program.

• Non-Government Advisors include Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) and Peerless Technologies.

• Offerors are advised that submitted data may be released to these support contractors.