Solicitation
Pioneering Aerospace Capabilities, Engineering and Research
Dept of Defense · Dept of the Air Force · Sol. FA2391-23-S-2403
Due in 1672 days
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AI summary Beta
Some details weren't available to this summary, so it may miss requirements. Check the attachments on SAM.gov.
The Air Force Research Laboratory's Aerospace Systems Directorate (AFRL/RQ, Wright-Patterson AFB) runs PACER, an open-ended research program (a Broad Agency Announcement, or BAA). Companies send short white papers on aerospace research ideas; the ones chosen are invited to submit full proposals, and the Air Force also posts topic-specific Calls with their own due dates. Awards are expected to be multiple, of varying size and length, with a $500M ceiling per award.
Watch out for
- Two different end dates. The SAM.gov deadline field says 2031-05-10 while the BAA text says white papers are accepted until 10 May 2043, so confirm the real window with the contracting office.
received prior to 1500 EDT on 10 May 2043.
- Two-step process: white paper first, proposal by invitation. Only white papers are due first; only those the Air Force selects get an RFP, so a business that is not selected cannot submit a full proposal under the open BAA.
Second step: PROPOSAL DUE DATE AND TIME: To be provided in the RFPs sent to offerors
- Current BAA revision and most Call documents not available in the text provided. The notice lists Revision 4 (15 July 2026), but the BAA text provided is the April 2025 revision with its middle section left out, and the current BAA, many Call packages (HSAPS, HAMWC, TAWODI and others) and the model contract could not be read, so the brief may miss requirements.
Revision 4, posted 15 July 2026
- Controlled and classified information gates for specific Calls. Some Calls keep their requirements in CUI or classified documents that need cybersecurity scores, DD Form 2345 and facility clearances, and the request window can be as short as one to two weeks after the Call posts.
In no event will CUI documents be provided if the current reported SPRS score is below 70.
- HSAPS Call: must bid on the first task order. Offerors selected for Step 2 of the HSAPS Call must bid on the first task order to be eligible for the IDIQ award and later task orders.
is a requirement to bid on Task Order 1 (TO1) to be
- Science and technology protection review. Selected offerors must provide security plans and key-person forms, and the Government can reject a proposal it judges high risk.
may be grounds for considering the proposal unawardable
- Go/No Go screen for assistance (grant) white papers. Grant-type white papers are screened first on Gold Standard Science commitments, immediately demonstrable results and policy-priority criteria before technical review.
Initial Screening (Go/No Go Criteria):
- Accounting system needed for cost-type awards. Cost-reimbursement awards are the expected norm, so a business without an adequate accounting system may not qualify.
Cost reimbursement contracts require successful offerors to have an accounting
- Strict page limits and format. White papers that break page limits or format rules can be rejected, and the limits for the open BAA were not in the text provided.
White Paper and Proposal page limits are strictly enforced.
Read from the notice and 12 attachments. 50 not read in full.
- Atch 1 Supplemental Instructions for Assistance Instruments.docx
- Atch 1 Supplemental Instructions for Assistance Instrument Proposals.pdf
- Atch 4 Section L - Instructions Conditions and Notices to Offerors.pdf
- FA2391-23-S-2403_Revised April 2025.pdf
- Atch 7 SOW Supplemental Requirements.docx
- Atch 8 SOW Supplemental Requirements.pdf
- HSAPS CALL Amendment 1 dated 13 July 2026.pdf
- HAMWC Call Amendment 3 dated 6 April 2026.docx
- HAMWC Call Amendment 2 dated 31 March 2026.pdf
- HAMWC Call Amendment 1 dated 17 March 2026.pdf
- Amendment 01-MASTR Call-07 MAR 2025.pdf
- Amendment 02-MASTR Call-13 MAR 2025.pdf
- Amendment 03-MASTR Call-19 Mar 2025.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Amendment 04 -MASTR Call-07 APR 2025.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Amendment 05 - MASTR Call-11 APR 2025.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Amendment 06 - MASTR Call-23 APR 2025.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Amendment PACER White Paper Call - FC EMA Complete Package 1.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Call for MSIPPT Amend 1.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Call for AEPO Amendment 1 26 Nov 24.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Call for SNAPP Amendment 1 24 Oct 24.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Amendment 1--CC DROIDS CAll -QA--4 Aug 2023.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Amendment 2--CC DROIDS Call-QandA--18 Aug 2023.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Amendment 3--CC DROIDS Call-QA--24 Aug 2023.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Amendment 4--CC DROIDS Call QandA--31 Aug 2023.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- CALL for TAWODI dated 9 Oct 2026.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Broad Agency Announcement_15 Jul 2026.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Atch 2 AFRL Addendum and Award DoD Articles.docx: over the file limit for one brief
- Atch 3 Section K_Reps and Certs.docx: over the file limit for one brief
- Atch 4 R-DFAR252.215-7993 Proposal Adequacy Checklist.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Atch 5 Contract Data Requirements List.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Atch 8 (RFO-based) Research and Related Senior and Key Person Profile Worksheet.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Atch 9 (non-RFO SF 424 Research and Related Key Persons V4.0.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Atch 10 Privacy Act Statement for Covered Individuals (1).pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Atch 12 AFRLI 61-113.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- CALL for HSAPS dated 17 June 2026.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Call for HAMWC dated 16 March 2026.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- CALL for VOLARE dated 21 JULY 2025.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- HiTEMP Call Pacer Broad Agency Announcement.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Atch 2 Model Contract FA2391-24-C-B044.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Atch 3 Section K - Representations and Certifications.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Atch 5 DFARS 252.215-7009 Proposal Adequacy Checklist.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Atch 6 Contract Data Requirements List (CDRLs).pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Atch 9 (FAR-based) Research and Related Senior and Key Person Profile Worksheet.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Atch 9 (non-FAR) SF 424 Research and Related Key Persons V4.0.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Atch 11 AFRLI 61-113.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Atch 12 Privacy Act Statement for Covered Individuals.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Call for MASTR 27 Jan 25.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- PACER White Paper Call - FC EMA Complete Package.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Call for MSIPPT.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- CALL for AEPO 28 Oct 24 .pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- CALL For SNAPP 04 Sep 24.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Call For CRONUS 20 Mar 24.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Call for OPTIML dated 01 Feb 2024.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- CALL for OPTIML dated 27 October 2023 - CANCELLATION of First Step.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Call for CC DROIDS--27 July 2023.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Atch 11 BAA Attachment Security Program Questionnaire.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Atch 10 BAA Attachment - Security Program Questionnaire.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- CALL for OPTIML and Attachments dated 27 October 2023.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- CALL for INNATE 08 AUG 2023 and Attachments.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Call for CC DROIDS Attachments.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Atch 7 DD Form 254.pdf: over the file limit for one brief
- Atch 6 DD Form 254.pdf: controlled: request access on SAM.gov
Full brief
What they want
- Research and development on novel aerospace concepts, and work to mature specific technologies to higher technology readiness levels
- High-speed (Mach 3+) systems: power and thermal management, multi-Mach operations, durability, mission systems, vehicle integration and analysis
- Power and controls: autonomous control and teaming, electrical systems (power generation, batteries, arc-fault detection), flight systems integration
- Topic-specific Calls issued under the BAA, such as HSAPS (hypersonic engines at or above Mach 5) and HAMWC (affordable hypersonic weapon concepts)
- Further research topics exist in part of the BAA text that was not provided
- Contract type
- BAA. The Air Force may award FAR contracts (generally cost-reimbursement such as Cost Plus Fixed Fee), Other Transactions, grants or cooperative agreements. Type of contract is listed as 'TBD' in Section L; Calls can use IDIQ vehicles.
- Period of performance
- Not stated for the open BAA; the BAA text says it stays open for white papers and Calls until 10 May 2043, and awards will have varying durations. Example: the HAMWC Call describes a 48-month baseline.
- Place of performance
- USA (SAM.gov field); issued by AFRL/RQ at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
- Estimated value
- $500M ceiling on any individual award resulting from a white paper, and $500M cumulative ceiling on all awards from one Call. Example Call values: HAMWC baseline $750,000 to $1,250,000 over 48 months; MASTR initial study task order $10,000 to $15,000.
- Contract vehicle
- Open BAA with Calls; some Calls create multiple-award IDIQ contracts (MASTR, HSAPS)
- How they'll choose
- Peer or scientific review, not a price contest. Technical merit comes first and cost/price is second. Each submission is rated Selectable or Not Selectable, and selection also considers importance to agency programs and available funding.
- Offers due
- SAM.gov response deadline field: 2031-05-10T15:00:00-04:00. BAA text says white papers are considered if received before 1500 EDT on 10 May 2043. Each Call and each RFP sets its own due date.
- How to submit
- Open BAA white papers go by email to the PACER central inbox, AFRL.RQ.PACERBAA@us.af.mil. Calls give their own instructions (the HAMWC Call used DoD SAFE drop-offs requested from the contracting officer). Grants.gov is not used for white papers.
- Page limits
- Open-BAA white paper page limit is in the part of the BAA that was not provided; the BAA says limits are strictly enforced. For comparison, the separate MASTR Call limited its IDIQ technical volume to 25 pages and its initial task order technical volume to 6 pages.
What they'll judge offers on
- White papers (open BAA): (1) item cut off in the text provided, ending 'understanding, technology, and the state of the art'; (2) the offeror's understanding of the scope of the technical effort; (3) soundness of the technical approach; (4) affordability (proposed ROM cost estimate)
- Proposals (standard criteria, Calls may change them): Technical: (a) unique and innovative approach, (b) understanding of the scope of the technical effort, (c) soundness of approach, including technical risks, mitigation and staff qualifications, (d) potential to transition to future Government needs, including any restrictions on technical data or software
- Cost/Price: realism of the proposed cost, second order of priority
- Grant or assistance white papers: Technical merits of the proposed R&D, then potential relationship to DoD (DoW) missions, then cost realism, after a Go/No Go screen
What to include when you submit
- Step 1 is a white paper only; those selected are sent a Request for Proposal with the proposal due date
- Do not send white papers to individual technical or contracting contacts; they will not be reviewed
- White papers must include a ROM (rough order of magnitude) cost estimate
- Assistance (grant-type) white papers: SF 424 (R&R) cover page, Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) form, and Research and Related Personal Data form
- Security Program Questionnaire and Privacy Act Statement forms for key people are required for science and technology protection review
- Research grants need a data management plan, generally no more than 2 pages
- Offerors other than small businesses must include a subcontracting plan
- If the effort is export controlled, a certified DD Form 2345 must be submitted with the proposal
- Proposals under the MASTR Call had to be valid at least 225 days and stated this on each volume's cover page
You must have
- Active SAM.gov registration is required to apply.
the applicant entity must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM)
- No small business set-aside; the NAICS size standard is 1,000 employees, so small and large companies compete together.
the small business size standard is 1,000 employees
- To receive controlled (CUI) documents for the HAMWC Call, a current NIST SP 800-171 score in SPRS and CMMC Level 2 status were required at white paper submission; no documents if the SPRS score is below 70. Other Calls may differ.
Offerors must have a current SPRS entry and CMMC status (as applicable) at the time of white paper submission.
- Classified requirements for HAMWC needed a Facility Clearance and the ability to safeguard classified material, plus a DD Form 254. The MASTR Call did not require a clearance for the IDIQ, but later task orders might.
Facility Clearance (FCL) and Safeguarding necessary to support classified work
- Cost-reimbursement awards require an accounting system adequate for tracking costs.
Cost reimbursement contracts require successful offerors to have an accounting
- Contractor staff needing Air Force base or network access must be U.S. citizens unless waived in writing.
must be U.S. citizens.
- Offerors other than small businesses must include a subcontracting plan.
Offerors other than small businesses must include a subcontracting plan.
Not in the notice text
- White paper page limit, format and required contents for the open BAA (in the part of the BAA not provided)
- The current BAA (Revision 4, 15 July 2026) was not read; the text provided is the April 2025 revision, so terms may have changed
- The full list of research topics; the topic list is cut off partway through the power and controls area
- Details and due dates of other Calls under the BAA (HSAPS, TAWODI dated 9 Oct 2026, and others) and the controlled documents behind them
- Contract type and period of performance for any specific award (Section L lists type of contract as TBD)
- Whether any currently open Call fits a small business and what its due date is
- Section K representations, the model contract and the CDRL (data deliverables list), which were not read
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Key facts
- Response due
- May 10, 2031, 7:00 PM UTC
- Posted
- Oct 9, 2026
- Notice type
- Solicitation
- Solicitation
- FA2391-23-S-2403
- Agency
- Dept of Defense · Dept of the Air Force
- Office
- FA2391 USAF AFMC Afrl PZL Afrl RQKP
- NAICS
- 541715
- Product/service code
- AC12
- Business type
- Engineering, architecture & research
- Contracting contact
- Jac Cookjoseph.cook.39@us.af.mil
- Versions
- 43 (amended since first posted)
What similar contracts paid
1,750 contracts at this agency for the same NAICS and product/service codes had activity in the last 5 years, according to USAspending.gov. Small businesses won 25% of the dollars in this market over the last 3 fiscal years.
Typical contract$2.7MMiddle half: $1.1M to $7M
Typical per year$644KValue divided by years of performance
Before you respond
Full notice text from SAM.gov
PACER BAA is a Two-Step Open BAA and BAA with Calls which will enable study efforts on novel concepts, as well as research and development efforts to mature specific technologies to appropriate technology readiness levels (TRL) depending on end use. Efforts under this BAA are intended to further AFRL/RA’s mission in pioneering transformative aerospace technologies for the warfighter’s decisive advantage. Revision 1, posted 5 June 2024. Revision 2, posted 24 October 2024 Revision 3, posted 6 May 2025 Revision 4, posted 15 July 2026
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