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FA945326XA001
Response Deadline
Oct 12, 2026, 10:00 PM(MDT)48 days
Eligibility
Contract Type
Solicitation
FA9453-21-S-0001
Air Force Research Laboratory/Space Vehicle Directorate ANNOUNCEMENT OVERVIEW
CALL 017, Topic Area 1. Space Technology Advanced Research - Fast-tracking Innovative Software and Hardware (STAR-FISH)
DATE: 26 August 2026
NAICS Code: The NAICS Code for this acquisition is 541715 for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology), and the small business size standard is 1,000 employees.
Federal Agency Name: Air Force Research Laboratory, Space Vehicles Directorate, Phillips Research Site
ARA Title: Secure by Design Space Vehicle (STAR-FISH), Announcement, procurement for experimentation of spaceflight and space-related signal, energy, and transportation technologies.
ARA Number: FA9453-21-S-0001
CALL Type: Two-Step Process, initial announcement
CALL Title: Secure by Design Space Vehicle
CALL Number: 017
White Papers and/or Proposal Due Date and Time: The Government is requesting White Papers at this time for the Topic Area identified above. White Papers addressing any other technology area identified in the basic Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) will not be accepted at this time unless a CALL for that specific area is posted. White Papers or proposals received after the due dates and times shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215- 1(c)(3). It should be noted that this installation observes strict security procedures to enter the facility. These security procedures are NOT considered an interruption of normal Government processes, and white papers or proposals received after the stated date and time in the CALL as a result of security delays will be considered “late.” Furthermore, if offerors utilize commercial carriers in the delivery of white papers or proposals, they may not honor time-of-day delivery guarantees on military installations. Early submission is encouraged.
Brief CALL Summary: See Attachment 3, Statement of Objective (SOO)
Submission: Two-Step Process
White Papers must be prepared using the provided Template, saved as a PDF and submitted via DoD Safe, (https://safe.apps.mil/) NLT 12 October 2026, 1600 (Mountain Standard Time (MST).
In order to submit the White Papers, please contact the Contracting Officer, Mr. Gabriel Salazar, email: gabriel.salazar.3@spaceforce.mil, Ms. Heather Miller, email: heather.miller.16@spaceforce.mil, or Ms. Erika Trujillo; email: erika.trujillo.2@spaceforce.mil ; no later than three (3) workdays prior to the submission deadline to receive a DoD Safe drop-off request. A drop-off request is valid for 14 days. Offerors will receive an automated email containing the instructions for uploading the file(s). If you do not receive an automated e-mail message for your drop-off request within 3 business days, please contact the Contracting Officer.
See Attachment 2 (STAR-FISH White Paper Template) for White Paper Template. No classified white paper submission will be accepted. The Template can be accessed and downloaded from the following link: https://valideval.com/star_documents/ (please download a new copy of the template prior to submitting your white paper to ensure that you have the most current version). Each White Paper submitted needs to include the company’s Unique Entity ID (UEI) per System for Award Management (SAM) with the DUNS Number. No classified white paper submissions will be accepted.
Announcement Request: Air Force Research Laboratory, Space Vehicles Directorate Phillips Research Site is soliciting white papers on the research effort described in Attachment 2 Statement of Objectives pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C 4023, Procurement for Experimental Purposes.
Announcement Modifications: Reference ARA with CALLS, FA9453-21-S-0001, Announcement Overview and Full Text.
Type of Contract/Instrument: The Space Force anticipates awarding Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts that will have a base period and two options “Government has the right not to exercise the option” as a result of this CALL, but also reserves the right to award the instrument best suited to the nature of research proposed. Please note, the offeror shall have an approved Accounting System in accordance with FAR 16.301-3, Limitations, and other approved Business Systems.
Anticipated Number of Awards: The Air Force anticipates awarding multiple contracts. However, the Air Force does reserve the right to make one award, more than one award, or no awards pursuant to this CALL. System for Award Management (SAM) Registration: Reference ARA with CALLS, FA9453- 21-S-0001, Announcement Overview.
Points of Contact:
Technical Manager (Primary): Mr. Joseph “Dan” Trujillo, AFRL/RJSW, joseph.trujillo.4@spaceforce.mil
Program Manager (Alternate): Mr. Manual Gonzales, AFRL/RVFC, manuel.gonzales.9@spaceforce.mil
Contracting Officer (Primary): Mr. Gabriel Salazar, gabriel.salazar.3@spaceforce.mil Contracting Officer / Specialist: Heather Miller, heather.miller.16@spaceforce.mil
Contracting Specialist: Ms. Erika Trujillo; email: erika.trujillo.2@spaceforce.mil
ADVANCED RESEARCH ANNOUNCMENT WITH CALLS
FA9453-21-S-0001
Air Force Research Laboratory/Space Vehicle Directorate
FULL TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT CALL 017 as of 29 June 2026
NAICS Code: The NAICS Code for this acquisition is 541715 for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology), and the small business size standard is 1,000 employees.
Federal Agency Name: Air Force Research Laboratory, Space Vehicles Directorate, Phillips Research Site
ARA Title: Space Technology Advanced Research - Fast-tracking Innovative Software and Hardware (STAR-FISH), Announcement, procurement for experimentation of space-flight and space-related signal, energy, and transportation technologies
ARA Number: FA9453-21-S-0001
CALL Type: Two-Step Process, initial announcement
CALL Title: Secure by Design Space Vehicle
CALL Number: 017
White Paper and/or Proposal Due Date and Time: The Government is requesting White Papers at this time for the Topic Area identified above. White Papers addressing any other technology area identified in the basic Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) will not be accepted at this time unless a CALL for that specific area is posted. White Papers or proposals received after the due dates and times shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215- 1(c)(3). It should be noted that this installation observes strict security procedures to enter the facility. These security procedures are NOT considered an interruption of normal Government processes, and white papers or proposals received after the stated date and time in the CALL as a result of security delays will be considered “late.” Furthermore, if offerors utilize commercial carriers in the delivery of white papers or proposals, they may not honor time-of-day delivery guarantees on military installations. Early submission is encouraged.
Submission: Two-Step Process
White Papers must be prepared using the provided Template, saved as a PDF and submitted via DoD Safe, (https://safe.apps.mil/) NLT 12 Oct 2026, 1600 (Mountain Standard Time (MST).
In order to submit the White Papers, please contact the Contracting Officer, Mr. Gabriel Salazar, email: gabriel.salazar.3@spaceforce.mil, Ms. Heather Miller, email: heather.miller.16@spaceforce.mil, or Ms. Erika Trujillo; email: erika.trujillo.2@spaceforce.mil no later than three (3) workdays prior to the submission deadline to receive a DoD Safe drop-off request. A drop-off request is valid for 14 days. Offerors will receive an automated email containing the instructions for uploading the file(s). If you do not receive an automated e-mail message for your drop-off request within 3 business days, please contact the Contracting Officer.
See Attachment 2 (STAR-FISH White Paper Template) for White Paper Template. The Template can be accessed and downloaded from the following link: https://valideval.com/star_documents/ (please download a new copy of the template prior to submitting your white paper to ensure that you have the most current version). No classified white paper submission will be accepted.
Program Description:
The scope of this effort is to address cyber threats to national critical space missions (e.g., Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), Missile Warning/Missile Tracking (MW/MT), Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), and Satellite Communications (SATCOM)) through the research, design, development, testing, and demonstration of a comprehensive Secure by-Design Space Vehicle (SDSV) system.
Objective:
The performance objectives of this effort are to: The Government's objective is to achieve the following capabilities and milestones across the period of performance. The contractor shall propose the specific methodology and detailed work breakdown to achieve these objectives:
Phase
Technical Objectives & Deliverables
CLIN 0001 - Labor: Key Deliverable: esign & Integration Report
Design & Build: Design and construct a space vehicle flat-sat and a corresponding space vehicle cyber range. Integration: Integrate the flat-sat with the cyber-range and verify the functionality of selected space vehicle subsystems. Software Hardening: Initiate cyber-hardening of the space vehicle flight software utilizing Cyber-Hardened Satellite Software (CHSS). Key Deliverable: Design & Integration Report.
CLIN 0002: ODCs
Integration: Integrate the cyber-hardened flight software into the established flat-sat/cyber range environment. Functional T&E: Assess the function and performance of the cyber-hardened solution against a non-hardened baseline. Cyber-Effectiveness T&E: Develop cyber-attack scenarios and evaluate the defensive effectiveness of the hardened solution against the baseline. Key Deliverable: T&E Reports (Functional, Performance, and Cyber-Effectiveness).
CLIN 0003 - Reports: Operational Procedures and Ground Demonstration
CONOPs & COAs: Develop and test Concepts of Operations (CONOPs) and Courses of Action (COAs) for cyber detection, protection, and recovery. User Interface: Develop a UI for interaction, visualization, and further development of the cyber-hardened solution. Demonstration: Conduct ground-based experimentation and system demonstrations. Key Deliverable: CONOPs and COAs Report, Ground Demonstration Completion.
Live Experimentation: Conduct on-orbit experimentation and a live demonstration of the developed cyber-hardened space vehicle system. Key Deliverable: Successful On-Orbit Demonstration and Final Technical Report.
CLIN 0004: Contractor Acquired Property - CAP
Areas from the ARA with CALLS, FA9453-21-S-0001, Full Text:
Space Battle Management, Command, and Control: Enable uninterrupted
delivery of tactical, operational, and strategic space services within a contested environment by providing unprecedented domain awareness; accurate and timely battle management tools; and robust command and control options. Specific areas of technology being sought include data fusion, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and related methods for rapid threat assessment and response; multi-domain (land, sea, air, and space) net-centric command and control concepts; autonomy and on-board threat assessment algorithms to enhance satellite resiliency; and integration of allied, commercial, and non-traditional capabilities.
Deliverable Items:
Data: DD Form 1423-CDRLs
Key Deliverable Report: Design & Integration Report. T&E Reports. CONOPS and COAs Report. Ground Demonstration Completion.
Final Reports: Final Scientific and Technical Report to be delivered under each award, 3 months after the end of the technical effort.
Software: Cyber-Hardened Satellite Software (CHSS) will not need to be provided to contractor.
Hardware: The government and MITLL developed CHSS and since MITLL will be performing the cyber-hardening, CHSS will not need to be provided to contractor.
The government will provide CHSS interfaces and drivers in order for the flat-sat software to interface. The government will provide requirements/information for the space vehicle contractor to design the flat-sat and then build it.
Other Requirements:
In accordance with RFO 45.201(c), Solicitation, if GFP is requested, Offerors shall submit the following information with the proposal:
(1) A list or description of all Government property that the Offeror or its subcontractors propose to use on a rent-free, non-interference basis. The list shall identify the accountable contract under which the property is held and the authorization for its use (from the Contracting Officer having cognizance of the property);
(2) The dates during which the property will be available for use (including the first, last, and all intervening months) and, for any property that will be used concurrently in performing two or more contracts, the amounts of the respective uses in sufficient detail to support prorating the rent;
(3) The amount of rent that would otherwise be charged in accordance with
RFO 52.245-9, Use and Charges; and
(4) A description of the Offeror’s property management system, plan, and any customary commercial practices, voluntary consensus standards, or industry- leading practices and standards to be used by the Offeror in managing Government property.
b. Contractor Acquired Property (CAP): The Offeror may propose CAP as necessary to fulfill the proposed objectives. Offerors should be aware that the Government will cross-check any CAP proposed with AFRL/RVOI/LMCA for availability.
FY 2027
$5M
FY 2028
$2M
FY 2029
$2M
FY 2030
$5M
Total
$14M
This funding profile is an estimate only and will not be a contractual obligation for funding. Offerors should note that full funding for this effort is uncertain and may be largely affected by government fiscal year budgets that are yet to be established. The Government reserves the right to select all, part, or none of the proposals received in response to this CALL, subject to the availability of funds. All funding is subject to change due to government discretion and availability of funds.
Schedule: The period of performance for individual awards is based upon the scope of the effort and how the work shapes to the SOO phases
Reference ARA with CALLS, FA9453-21-S-0001, Full Text, Section I, paragraph 5.
Points of Contact:
Mr. Gabriel Salazar (Primary) Contracting Officer AFRL/RJZS
Kirtland AFB, NM 87117 gabriel.salazar.3@spaceforce.mil
Ms. Heather Miller (Primary)
Contract Specialist / Contracting Officer AFRL/RVKY
Kirtland AFB, NM 87117 heather.miller.16@spaceforce.mil
Ms. Erika Trujillo
Contract Specialist, AFRL/RJZS
Kirtland AFB, NM 87117 erika.trujillo.2@spaceforce.mil
Technical Manager:
Mr. Joseph “Dan” Trujillo, AFRL/RJSW
joseph.trujillo.4@spaceforce.mil
Program Manager (Alternate):
Mr. Manual Gonzales, AFRL/RVFC,
manuel.gonzales.9@spaceforce.mil
Eligibility Information
Eligible Offeror: Reference ARA with CALLS, FA9453-21-S-0001, Section II, paragraph 1.
Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost Sharing or Matching is not required on this call.
Federally Funded Research and Development Centers: Reference ARA with CALLS, FA9453-21-S-0001, Section II, paragraph 3.
Government Agencies: Reference ARA with CALLS, FA9453-21-S-0001, Section II, paragraph 4.
Foreign Participation: Foreign-Owned Offerors are not authorized to propose to this CALL as prime contractor.
The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items.
U.S. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s). Offerors are advised FNs proposed to perform may be restricted under U.S. Export Control Laws due to the nature of the technical data. The Government may also require Offerors to provide additional information to assist the Government in evaluating the FNs.
Reference ARA with CALLS, FA9453-21-S-0001, Section II, paragraph 5.
Export Control: Reference ARA with CALLS, FA9453-21-S-0001, Section II, paragraph 6.
White Paper and/or Proposal Submission Information
Overview: This Announcement consists of Two-Step Process described in detail below. White papers and full proposals if requested by the Government—shall be submitted in accordance with the ARA with CALLS, FA4953-21-S-0001 and in accordance with the CALL TBD.
The Government anticipates white papers and proposals will be unclassified.
Due to the dynamically evolving nature of US warfighter space needs, this announcement is subject to updates, revisions, or additional topic areas. Therefore, Offerors are highly encouraged to continually monitor Contract Opportunities (https://sam.gov) to ensure they receive latest guidance to this announcement.
Two-Step (White Paper and Proposal) Submission Information
First Step (White Paper) Instructions:
Second Step (Proposal) Instructions: Reference ARA with CALLS, FA9453-21-S-0001, Section III, paragraph 3.
other Highly Recommended proposals.
b. Selectable: Scientifically or technically sound proposals that may need additional development. Proposals are recommended for acceptance if sufficient funding is available, but at a lower priority than Highly Recommended proposals. To ensure a diversity of approaches, a Selectable proposal may be prioritized over a Highly Recommended proposal if the Selectable proposal presents a unique approach unlike any of the Highly Recommended proposals.
c. Not Selectable: Proposal is not technically sound or does not meet agency needs.
Even if sufficient funding existed, the proposal will not be funded.
Note 1: The recommendations above will be based on the Government’s evaluation of the technical approach independent of the cost proposal. If recommended for award, the Contracting Officer will make a final determination regarding price reasonableness.
Note 2: When the Government elects to award only part of a proposal, the selected part may be categorized as Highly Recommended or Selectable although the proposal as a whole may not merit such a categorization.
Note 3: The Government may award some, all, or none of the proposals received, and may award without negotiation/discussion; however, the Government reserves the right to negotiate with any Offeror(s) whose proposal is selected for funding.
Note 4: For the use of Assistance Agreements:
a. Step 1: Initial Screening (Go/No Go Criteria)
i) Proposal demonstrates success in implementing Gold Standard Science in addition to making a commitment to complying with administration policies, procedures, and guidance respecting Gold Standard Science.
ii) Proposal produces immediately demonstrable results.
(1) Selection should consider speed and accountability through demonstration of meaningful performance or deliverable milestones to accelerate the development of emerging technology for timely delivery to the warfighter.
(2) Consider the possibility for potentially longer-term, breakthrough results, in a manner consistent with the funding opportunity announcement.
(3) Proposals should include clear benchmarks for measuring success and progress towards relevant research and development goals.
(4) Proposal demonstrably advances the President’s policy priorities.
(5) Proposal does not promote, encourage subsidize, or facilitate: (a) racial preferences or other forms of racial discrimination by the grant recipient, including activities where race or intentional proxies for race will be used as a selection criterion for employment or program participation; (b) denial by the grant recipient of the sex binary in humans or the notion that sex is a chosen or mutable characteristic; (c) illegal immigration; or (d) any other initiatives that compromise public safety or promote anti-American values.
b. Step 2: Full Evaluation/Review (Selection Criteria):
i) Primary Selection Criteria: Applications/proposals will be reviewed using the criteria listed below (state whether the criteria are equal in importance or in descending/ascending order of importance and refer to scoring rubric below). These evaluations will entail a “weight of scientific evidence” approach (EO 14303):
ii) Other Selection Criteria: Cost/Price: While of less importance to the primary criteria above, the realism of the proposed cost (to include cost sharing, consideration of proposed budgets, and funding profiles), will be evaluated.
iii) Risk Assessments are performed prior to award with regards to Science & Technology (S&T) Protection and assessments IAW 2 CFR 200.206.
Award Administration Information
Award Notices: Reference ARA with CALLS, FA9453-21-S-0001, Section V, paragraph 1.
Offerors will be notified whether their proposal is recommended for award from the Contracting Officer. The notification of recommendation for award is not to be construed to mean the award of a contract is assured, as availability of funds and successful negotiations are prerequisites to any award.
Other Relevant Information Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI): In accordance with RFO 9.5, Organizational Conflict of Interest, the Offeror will be required to perform its own OCI analysis and submit the results of that analysis as part of its proposal submission. Specifically, the Offeror shall analyze the planned effort for actual or potential OCI situations associated with its or any of its associate organizations’ performance under any contract it or its associated organizations have been or may be awarded by any federal agency or other entity. The Offeror shall describe in detail the methodology used to identify actual or potential OCI issues. If the Offeror identifies any actual or potential OCI with respect to the performance of itself or its associated organizations, the Offeror shall provide an OCI mitigation plan to be incorporated into any resulting contract. If an award is made to the Offeror, the resulting contract may include an OCI limitation applicable to subsequent Government work, at either a prime contract level, at any subcontract tier, or both. If a prospective Offeror believes a conflict of interest exists or may exist (whether organizational or otherwise) or has questions on what constitutes a conflict of interest, the Offeror should send his/her contact information and a summary of the potential conflict via email to the ARA e-mail address before time and effort are Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI): In accordance with RFO 9.5, Organizational Conflict of Interest, the Offeror will be required to perform its own OCI analysis and submit the results of that analysis as part of its proposal submission. Specifically, the Offeror shall analyze the planned effort for actual or potential OCI situations associated with its or any of its associate organizations’ performance under any contract it or its associated organizations have been or may be awarded by any federal agency or other entity. The Offeror shall describe in detail the methodology used to identify actual or potential OCI issues. If the Offeror identifies any actual or potential OCI with respect to the performance of itself or its associated organizations, the Offeror shall provide an OCI mitigation plan to be incorporated into any resulting contract. If an award is made to the Offeror, the resulting contract may include an OCI limitation applicable to subsequent Government work, at either a prime contract level, at any subcontract tier, or both. If a prospective Offeror believes a conflict of interest exists or may exist (whether organizational or otherwise) or has questions on what constitutes a conflict of interest, the Offeror should send his/her contact information and a summary of the potential conflict via email to the ARA e-mail address before time and effort are expended in preparing a proposal and mitigation plan. The OCI clause in the ARA may not be modified or deleted.
3 ATTACHMENTS:
DEPT OF DEFENSE
DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE
AIR FORCE MATERIEL COMMAND
AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY
FA9453 AFRL RVK
FA9453 AFRL RVK
ADMINISTRATIVE ONLY NO REQUISITIONS
3550 ABERDEEN AVE SE
KIRTLAND AFB, NM, 87117
NAICS
Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
PSC
GENERAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY R&D SERVICES; GENERAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; APPLIED RESEARCH
Set-Aside
No Set aside used