Bid guide
How to bid on Directed Energy Technology Experimentation Research (DETER) with the Air Force
What the Air Force is buying
The Department of the Air Force is seeking innovative research and development, modeling and simulation, design, and testing for directed energy technologies, components, and systems. This includes prototype risk reduction, fabrication, assembly, integration, and field trials. The goal is to improve national defense capabilities through next-generation technologies and advanced concepts.
This is an open Advanced Research Announcement (ARA), meaning the Air Force is continuously accepting white papers. Specific project "calls" will be issued later under this announcement for discrete requirements. The Air Force encourages dialogue with potential vendors throughout the life of this ARA.
Key dates and deadlines
This is an open announcement, and white papers can be submitted at any time. The overall announcement is open until March 12, 2031, at 7:00 PM ET. Specific project "calls" will have their own deadlines, which will be detailed when those calls are issued.
For the open announcement, white papers are submitted through a dedicated online portal. If a classified white paper is required, specific delivery instructions must be obtained from the DETER Org Mailbox.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is suitable for firms specializing in research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences, particularly those with expertise in directed energy technologies. The NAICS code for this acquisition is 541715, with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees.
The Air Force is looking for innovative solutions that provide substantial benefits to national defense. Companies capable of multidisciplinary approaches addressing multiple topic areas within directed energy are encouraged to respond.
How to respond
To access the opportunity, click the "View original source" link. If you land on the portal's homepage, click the link again to go directly to the bid. You may need a free account to view documents, though this is not always required.
For the open announcement, white papers must be submitted to the specified online portal. Further instructions for white paper submission, including definitions, processes, submission requirements, and evaluation criteria, are provided in the DETER Industry User Guide attached to the announcement. Calls, other than Limited Calls, will be issued via the Government Point of Entry (GPE) at beta.sam.gov, and submission requirements for these calls will be specified in their respective solicitation documents.
Tips for a competitive response
Since dialogue with government representatives is encouraged, consider reaching out early to understand the objectives and prior similar efforts. While no technical approach guidance will be given, these discussions can help you align your proposed solution with the agency's needs.
Ensure your white paper clearly addresses how your proposed effort benefits national defense and includes a strategy for verifying those intended benefits. Highlight the innovative aspects of your solution and how it substantially improves national defense capabilities across directed energy domains. Pay close attention to the DETER Industry User Guide for all submission requirements and evaluation criteria.
See the live bid — deadline, agency details, and how to respond
Dates and requirements can change via addenda; always verify on the bid page and at the original source before responding.
View this bid on BiddingSimpleThis guide was prepared by BiddingSimple from the solicitation’s public posting. It is not official guidance from Dept of the Air Force; the original posting controls.