Directed Energy Technology Experimentation Research (DETER) Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) Open Announcement
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate (AFRL/RD) has issued an Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) titled "Directed Energy Technology Experimentation Research (DETER)". This open announcement seeks research and development (R&D), modeling and simulation (M&S), design, prototyping, fabrication, integration, and testing of directed energy (DE) components and systems for national defense. The overarching announcement has no specific end date, remaining open until rescinded, with a system-listed response date of March 12, 2031.
Purpose & Scope
AFRL/RD aims to equip warfighters with next-generation DE technologies and advanced concepts. This ARA, issued under the authority of 10 U.S.C. §4023 (Procurement for Experimental Purposes), covers a broad scope of DE-related efforts. Proposed solutions should be innovative and enhance national defense capabilities across nine key topic areas:
- Directed Energy (DE) Sources (e.g., Laser, High Power Electromagnetic)
- Acquisition Tracking Pointing (ATP), Beam Control (BC), and Atmospheric Compensation (AC) Systems
- DE Weapon Systems (e.g., HPEM applications, integration, power, thermal management, C2, platform integration)
- DE Effects Testing (vulnerability, susceptibility, DE-material interaction physics)
- Modeling, Simulation and Analysis (MS&A) (e.g., system performance, effects, target assessment, biosafety, virtual design, space domain awareness)
- Wargaming (planning, tabletop, MS&A, field execution)
- Innovative Space Domain Awareness (e.g., object detection/characterization, orbit determination, multi-phenomenology, machine learning)
- Experiments, Testing and Demonstrations
- Laboratory Materials, Supplies and Services in Support of Experimentation
Submission Process
This is a hybrid announcement with an open request for white papers and the potential for specific Calls for discrete requirements. Offerors are encouraged to engage in dialogue with Government representatives.
- White Paper Submission: White papers, including a 500-word abstract, must be submitted via https://usg.valideval.com/teams/DETER/signup. Duplicate white papers within a 12-month period will not be evaluated.
- Calls: Specific Calls will be issued via SAM.gov and may vary (One-Step, Two-Step, Open, Closed, Staggered, Limited).
- Two-Step Process: Typically involves white paper submission followed by full proposal requests for selected efforts. AFRL/RD may collapse a two-step into a one-step if a white paper provides sufficient detail.
Contract Details
- Contract Types: Awards may utilize various instruments, including Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)-based contracts, Other Transactions (OTs) for Research (10 U.S.C. §4021) or Prototype (10 U.S.C. §4022), Procurement for Experimental Purposes (10 U.S.C. §4023), Prize Competitions (10 U.S.C. §4025), or DoD Grant and Agreement Regulations (DoDGARS). A mix of contract types is anticipated.
- Set-Aside: None specified (unrestricted ceiling for the overarching announcement).
- Awards: Multiple awards are anticipated, with no limit per offeror.
- SAM Registration: Required for award.
Evaluation Criteria
White papers and proposals will be evaluated based on the "Valid Eval Rubric (Version 2.0)":
- Technical Merit - Overall Science / Technical Merit (30%): Problem solved, solution, innovation, risk mitigation.
- Technical Merit - Soundness of Technical Approach (30%): Scientific feasibility, personnel, resources, schedule.
- Importance / Relevance to AFRL Programs (20%): Alignment with topic areas, mission impact.
- Value / Cost (20%): Reliability of cost estimates, proposed value.
Key Requirements & Notes
- S&T Program Protection: Required for all awards. Offerors selected for potential awards must submit an SF424, Security Program Questionnaire, and Privacy Act Statement. The Government reserves the right to deem an Offeror unawardable based on unacceptable S&T Protection risk.
- Questions: Submit all questions to AFRL.DETER.ARA@us.af.mil.