Bid guide
How to bid on TACTICAL Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the Dept of the Air Force
What the Air Force is buying and why it matters
The Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate (AFRL/RD) is seeking research and development proposals related to directed energy technologies. This is a five-year Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) with an estimated total funding of $499 million. This opportunity is significant for firms specializing in physical, engineering, and life sciences research and development, as it outlines the Air Force's interest in advancing directed energy capabilities.
Instead of a single solicitation, this BAA will issue specific 'Calls' for proposals on particular research efforts. These Calls will detail the specific work, anticipated performance period, and funding. Vendors should monitor for these Calls to identify relevant opportunities.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
This overarching BAA was initially published on March 26, 2025, and remains open until November 22, 2028, at 2:00 PM ET. However, no proposals should be submitted directly against this BAA. Proposal due dates and times will be specified in each individual Call announcement.
Proposals received after the due date and time specified in a Call will be considered late. The Air Force notes that strict security procedures at their facility are not considered an interruption of normal government processes, and delays due to security will result in late proposals. Early submission is encouraged.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is suitable for research and development firms in the physical, engineering, and life sciences, with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees under NAICS code 541715. The acquisition is unrestricted, meaning both large and small businesses can compete.
Firms must be prepared for cost-type contracts, which require an accounting system deemed adequate by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) for tracking costs. If a firm does not have a DCAA-approved accounting system, a cost-type contract cannot be awarded.
How to respond to this BAA
To respond, you must first monitor the System for Award Management (SAM) for the issuance of specific 'Calls' under BAA FA9451-24-S-0001. Each Call will contain specific descriptions of the research effort, anticipated period of performance, and estimated funding.
You can access the original source of this opportunity by clicking 'View original source'. If the first click takes you to the portal's homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid. You may need a free account to view documents, though for many bids this is not required.
Practical tips for preparing a competitive response
Since this is a BAA with subsequent Calls, consistently monitor SAM for new Call announcements. The Air Force encourages continuous monitoring due to the dynamic nature of warfighter needs, meaning updates, revisions, or additional topic areas may be included.
Ensure your firm's Annual Representations and Certifications are current in SAM.gov, as required by FAR 52.204-7 and DFARS 252.204-7007 Alternate A. Also, if you intend to pursue cost-type contracts, verify that your accounting system is DCAA-approved. If not, begin the process to achieve this approval.
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.