FA875025S7002
Targeting Operations and Analytics Development
DEPT OF DEFENSE > DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE > AIR FORCE MATERIEL COMMAND > AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY > FA8750 AFRL RIK
Quick analysis
AFRL Rome (RIK) Open 2‑Step BAA FA8750-25-S-7002 seeks R&D, integration, and T&E to improve the joint targeting cycle across dynamic targeting, mission communications in contested/low-bandwidth environments, combat assessment, I&W analytics, and T&E methodologies.
Total BAA funding ~ $499M through 30 Sep 2029; typical awards $1M–$25M (up to $99.9M), multiple instruments (FAR contracts, grants/coops, and OTs) with potential follow-on production after successful OT prototypes.
Trace has strong alignment in mission communications, SATCOM/multi-orbit transport, JADC2/ABMS integration, tactical edge compute, SE&I, and T&E; USAF past performance (ABMS IDIQ, USAFCENT) is relevant though AFRL RIK is a new/adjacent customer.
Full & open access (no set-aside). Compliance items include SAM registration, NIST 800-171 assessment, DCAA-approved accounting for cost-type (or GAAP for OTs), DISA PA if cloud is used, FASCSA checks, and potential human-subjects/IRB actions if applicable.
Scope summary
- Open, 2‑Step BAA: white papers first; proposals by invitation; active through 30 Sep 2029 with suggested annual submission windows.
- Technical areas: dynamic targeting at scale; mission communications under contested/low-bandwidth conditions; combat assessment; I&W analytics; T&E methodologies.
- Potential instruments: FAR contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and Other Transactions (10 USC 4021/4022/4023) with potential follow-on production after successful prototypes.
- Compliance/admin: SAM registration; NIST SP 800-171 DoD Assessment (SPRS); DCAA-approved accounting system for cost-type or GAAP compliance for OTs; DISA PA if cloud used (DFARS 252.239-7010); FASCSA order checks for FAR-based awards.
- Human-subjects research controls (if applicable): IRB and AFRL-level approvals with multi-month timelines; Assurance of Compliance required.
- Evaluation criteria: technical merit, related experience, solution maturity/assurance, and cost realism/reasonableness (equal importance).
Dimension scores
Total
- 69/100
Technical Fit
- 17/20
Strong match to Trace core capabilities: mission communications in contested/low-bandwidth environments aligns with multi‑orbit SATCOM/LEO integration and tactical comms; JADC2/ABMS and tactical edge compute align with dynamic targeting integration and T&E; SE&I/T&E capabilities map to evaluation/prototyping needs (evidence: BAA technical areas and capability set in company profile). Not a direct Starshield/LEO-specific requirement, so not top tier.
Past Performance
- 14/20
Relevant USAF and JADC2/ABMS past performance (ABMS IDIQ; USAFCENT comms & IT) in the same overarching agency and related mission areas (C2ISR, comms, integration). AFRL RIK is adjacent rather than an existing direct customer; contract mechanism differs (BAA/OT).
Vehicles / Contract Access
- 6/10
Full and open BAA; no restricted vehicle required. Access is available without existing vehicle, fitting the mid-tier scoring range for open competitions.
Competitive Position
- 7/15
Crowded AFRL BAA landscape with primes, academia, and niche AI firms. Trace has documentable differentiators (NSA Trusted Integrator; multi‑orbit SATCOM including Starshield reseller status; ABMS/JADC2 integration; E&I facility for rapid prototyping/T&E), offering a meaningful but not dominant edge. No incumbency or mandatory unique credential stated.
Risk
- 10/15
Moderate risk: AFRL R&D environment with potential human-subjects/IRB and security/compliance steps; broad technical scope includes analytics beyond Trace’s core, but Trace can target mission comms/T&E areas. Multi-award, multi-instrument flexibility and familiar USAF domain mitigate risk.
Strategic Value
- 8/10
High strategic upside: opens/expands AFRL RIK relationship, shapes future USAF JADC2/targeting capabilities, and offers OT-to-production pathways. Strengthens Trace positioning in mission comms/JADC2 lanes with substantial ceiling.
Compliance
- 7/10
No set-aside; NAICS 541715 is a Trace primary code. Company likely meets clearance and capability expectations. However, DCAA-approved accounting for cost-type is not explicitly confirmed in provided profile; cloud PA and NIST 800-171/SPRS requirements apply if relevant, making this a minor compliance risk pending internal verification.
Concerns
- Highly competitive AFRL BAA with strong participation from primes, academia, and AI firms.
- Scope includes advanced analytics/ML (I&W, graph/anomaly analytics) beyond Trace’s documented strengths; may require teaming.
- Compliance dependencies: confirmation of DCAA-approved accounting system for cost-type awards; NIST 800-171/SPRS posture; DISA PA if cloud is proposed.
- Potential human-subjects/IRB requirements could delay schedules if such work is proposed.
- White-paper gatekeeping: proposal by invitation only; funding aligned to annual windows may affect timing.
Teaming opportunities
- AI/ML and data science for I&W analytics, pattern recognition, graph analytics, and algorithm development.
- Academic/research partners with AFRL RIK experience for co-development and experimentation.
- Sensing/ISR payload developers and low SWaP-C hardware partners for edge deployments.
- Test & Evaluation partners with AFRL-range/lab access for rapid prototyping and field experimentation.
Competitive position
- Assured, resilient mission communications in contested/denied environments using multi-orbit SATCOM (GEO/MEO/LEO) and Starshield integration to shorten the kill chain.
- Proven JADC2/ABMS systems integration and tactical edge compute enabling low SWaP-C, resilient targeting and BDA workflows.
- NSA Trusted Integrator with CDS/CSfC expertise to ensure secure multi-domain data flows during targeting and assessment.
- Rapid prototyping and T&E via Trace’s E&I Facility and OCC to accelerate lab-to-field transition and mission assurance.
- Global deployment/FSR footprint to support OCONUS experimentation and operationalization across CCMDs.
Bid/No bid factors
- DCAA-approved accounting system not explicitly confirmed in the company profile; may constrain cost-type awards under this BAA.
- Analytics-heavy technical areas could outpace in-house capabilities without strong AI/ML teaming.
- Human-subjects protections (if applicable) add schedule and compliance burden.
- FASCSA order compliance must be verified for any FAR-based award components.
Documents
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25-02 BAA Synopsis_v9.docx
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25-02 BAA Synopsis_v9.docx
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Partially reviewed: Too large
Summary
Partially reviewed (selected sections 1 and 4 only; document marked too_large for full extraction). This is an open, 2-step AFRL BAA (FA8750-25-S-7002) titled “Targeting Operations and Analytics Development,” accepting white papers through 30 Sep 2029 (formal proposals by invitation). The BAA solicits R&D, integration, T&E in dynamic targeting, mission communications, combat assessment, I&W analytics, and T&E, with ~ $499M total funding and individual awards typically $1M–$25M (up to ~$99.9M possible); contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and Other Transactions are potential instruments.
- BAA identifier: FA8750-25-S-7002 (AFRL Rome Research Site; Information Directorate)
- NAICS: 541715 (R&D in physical, engineering & life sciences)
- Solicitation type: Open, 2-step BAA — white papers only initially; proposals by invitation
- Submission window: White papers accepted through 1600 EST 30 Sep 2029; suggested FY submission cadence (e.g., FY25 20 Mar 2025; FY26–FY29 1 Nov for subsequent years)
- Estimated funding: Total ~ $499M; FY breakdown in extracted sections (FY25 $20M; FY26 $100M; FY27 $100M; FY28 $130M; FY29 $149M)
- Award sizes/duration: Normally 1–36 months; typical awards $1M–$25M; potential up to $99.9M
- Anticipated instruments: FAR-based contracts, CFR grants/cooperative agreements, and Other Transactions (10 USC 4021/4022/4023); potential for follow-on production after OT prototype
- Technical focus areas: Dynamic targeting engagement at scale (HOTL/HITL weapon-target pairing; low SWaP-C systems), Mission Communications (assured comms under low-bandwidth/contested EM), Combat Assessment (near-real-time BDA; multi-source fusion in low SWaP-C), Indications & Warning analytics (pattern recognition, graph analytics, anomaly detection), and Test & Evaluation methodologies
- Cloud requirement note: If cloud used, DISA Provisional Authorization per DFARS 252.239-7010 required
- Security & compliance flags: SPRS basic NIST SP 800-171 DoD Assessment expected; DCAA-approved accounting system required for cost-reimbursement contracts; GAAP documentation for OTs
- Human subjects: DoD human subjects regs apply (32 CFR 219; DoD Instruction 3216.02); AFRL-level review required; IRB and Assurance of Compliance prerequisites and multimonth review timeline
- Evaluation criteria (equal importance): scientific/technical merit; related experience; openness/maturity/assurance of solution; realism/reasonableness of costs
- Point(s) of Contact: Technical — Ariana Emad, AFRL/RIED (ariana.emad@us.af.mil; (315)330-2649); Contracting — Amber Buckley (Amber.Buckley@us.af.mil)
- Amendments summarized in selected sections: earlier amendment added (then later deleted) 15% indirect cap for IHE assistance awards; FASCSA order guidance noted; republished with administrative updates (FAR refs, thresholds, DFARS/provisions, ombudsman)
25-02 amend 3 first repub 2026.pdf
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25-02 amend 3 first repub 2026.pdf
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Partially reviewed: Too large
Summary
Partial extract (sections 1 and 4) of Amendment 3 republishing BAA FA8750-25-S-7002 for "Targeting Operations and Analytics Development." The document confirms the BAA is an open, two-step solicitation (white papers only initially) active through 30 Sep 2029, summarizes technical focus areas (dynamic targeting at scale, mission communications, combat assessment, I&W analytics, and T&E), and states estimated total funding (~$499M) with typical individual awards $1M–$25M and potential up to $99.9M. Amendment notes administrative updates (FAR/DFARS references, thresholds, proposal formatting, removal of the 15% indirect cap language, OMBUDSMAN update) and contains submission, SAM, accounting, and human-subject compliance instructions.
- BAA identifier: FA8750-25-S-7002; amendment republishing (Amendment 3).
- NAICS: 541715 (R&D in physical, engineering & life sciences).
- BAA open/effective until 30 Sep 2029; initial submissions: white papers only; formal proposals by invitation.
- Estimated total BAA funding ≈ $499M; individual awards normally $1M–$25M (up to $99.9M possible); award durations normally ≤36 months.
- Multiple awards anticipated; instruments may include FAR contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and Other Transactions (10 USC 4021/4022/4023); OTs may transition to follow-on production.
- Primary technical focus areas: Dynamic Targeting Engagement at Scale; Mission Communications; Combat Assessment; Indications & Warning Analytics; Test & Evaluation methodologies.
- Submission guidance: suggested white paper windows (FY25 20 Mar 2025; FY26 01 Nov 2025; FY27 01 Nov 2026; FY28 01 Nov 2027; FY29 01 Nov 2028); email unclassified submissions to TPOC; encrypt proprietary info.
- Agency contacts: TPOC Ariana Emad (AFRL/RIED) - ariana.emad@us.af.mil; Contracting: Amber Buckley - Amber.Buckley@us.af.mil.
- Compliance/administrative requirements: SAM registration required; DCAA-approved accounting system for cost-reimbursement contracts or GAAP compliance for OTs; human subjects research and IRB/AFRL-level review requirements spelled out.
- Amendment-specific changes called out: updated Simplified Acquisition Threshold ($350k), certified cost/pricing data threshold ($2.5M), proposal formatting, debriefing language, DFARS clause updates, deletion of prior paragraph on 15% indirect cost cap, and updated OMBUDSMAN.
- FASCSA orders note: Offerors must check SAM for any applicable FASCSA order prohibitions for FAR-based awards.
Technical details
Entry: sync
Review status: Up to date
Logical upstream opportunity: 11440
Notice lineage:
- c3a2190d772e42acb289e15dd2acb608 (posted 2026-04-02) - current
- 4a9fd586f9e04d798f16bd9d511dec91
- b11e693b87c44535a2d94c240c5668eb
- b7ad150efe1c4c8aaf574a7f6ca12276
Last synced: 2026-04-03T14:16:16.829722+00:00
Last analyzed: 2026-04-03T14:17:55.817203+00:00
Latest package fingerprint: 16275c283c7f15bd76b55aec7c64698368cda3aabcd3ae4000934401db89b628
Latest package notice: c3a2190d772e42acb289e15dd2acb608
Latest package documents: 2
Evidence limitations- 25-02 BAA Synopsis_v9.docx: partially reviewed (too large)
- 25-02 amend 3 first repub 2026.pdf: partially reviewed (too large)
- 2026-04-03T14:16:16.835458+00:00: c3a2190d772e42acb289e15dd2acb608 with 2 docs