FIGHT TONIGHT

NAICS CODE: 541715 FEDERAL AGENCY NAME: Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL - Rome Research Site, AFRL/Information Directorate, 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome, NY, 13441-4514 BAA ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial announcement BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) TITLE: Fight Tonight BAA NUMBER: FA8750-22-S-7001 PART I – OVERVIEW INFORMATION This announcement is for an Open, 2 Step BAA, with a partial Closed-Staggered, 2 Step BAA for Technical Area 1 (TA1) and Technical Area 2 (TA2), which is open and effective until 30 Nov 2026. Only white papers will be accepted as initial submissions; formal proposals will be accepted by invitation only. While white papers will be considered if received prior to 4 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 30 Nov 2026, the following submission dates are suggested to best align with projected funding: Technical Area 1 (TA1) and Technical Area 2 (TA2) are structured as a Closed-Staggered, 2 Step BAA. Therefore, for TA1 and TA2 ONLY: The Government anticipates awarding two awards for Technical Area 1 and two awards for Technical Area 2. Therefore, white papers for TA1 and TA2 are due on 10 JAN 2022 and if requested, proposals are due on 25 FEB 2022. Please note that white papers will still be accepted for TA1 and TA2 after the 10 JAN 2022 date, however, the likelihood of funding being available is substantially reduced. For all other Technical Areas: The Government anticipates adding technical areas via BAA amendment in the future. All potential Offerors are requested to wait to submit white papers until the BAA announcement is updated with specific technology requirements and dates. Offerors should monitor the Contract Opportunities on the System for Award Management (SAM) website at https://sam.gov/ in the event this announcement is amended. The Fight Tonight Program Team anticipates hosting an Industry Day to provide interested offerors an opportunity to learn more about Fight Tonight activities. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Industry Day is anticipated to be offered both in-person and virtually. Details regarding time, place, registration, format, and attendee access will be published on SAM shortly following the announcement publication proper. CONCISE SUMMARY OF TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENT: The Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, NY, is seeking innovative research that revolutionizes air operations planning by combining Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven planning with interactive gaming to significantly reduce the Air Tasking Order planning cycle. Human-guided AI will generate myriad potential courses of action and the gaming environment will allow operators to explore, cull, and evaluate combat plans, gaining insight into the future battlespace. The over-arching strategy of this five (5) year open BAA is to quickly and efficiently execute research and development to deliver practical solutions to urgent problems. These efforts are anticipated to entail rapidly integrating existing technology into field testable, functional prototypes of solutions to military problems in two (2) major Focus Areas: Technical Area 1 (TA1): Interactive Plan Refinement Technical Area 2 (TA2): Plan Gaming and Outcome Analysis This strategy provides AFRL Rome, NY a solicitation tool with the flexibility to solicit white papers and proposals for Contract or agreements to perform rapid prototyping of technical solutions to meet compelling Air Force needs. BAA ESTIMATED FUNDING: Total funding for this BAA is approximately $99M. Individual awards will not normally exceed 54 months with dollar amounts normally ranging from $3M to $40M. There is also the potential to make awards up to any dollar value as long as the value does not exceed the available BAA ceiling amount. Any anticipated funding listed reflects estimated program funding only. This estimate is not a promise of funding. Funding is uncertain and is subject to change. Changes in availability may occur as a result of the exercise of Government discretion. ANTICIPATED INDIVIDUAL AWARDS: Multiple Awards are anticipated. TYPE OF INSTRUMENTS THAT MAY BE AWARDED: Procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements or other transactions (OT) depending upon the nature of the work proposed. In the event that an Other Transaction for Prototype agreement is awarded as a result of this competitive BAA, and the prototype project is successfully completed, there is the potential for a prototype project to transition to award of a follow-on production contract or transaction. The Other Transaction for Prototype agreement itself will also contain a similar notice of a potential follow-on production contract or agreement. AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION: All white paper submissions and any questions of a technical nature shall be directed to the cognizant Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) as specified below (unless otherwise specified in the technical area): BAA PROGRAM MANAGER : Lt Col Sean Carlson AFRL/RIS 525 Brooks Rd Rome, NY 13441-4505 Telephone: (315)-330-2936 Email: [email protected] Questions of a contractual/business nature shall be directed to the cognizant contracting officer, as specified below ( email requests are preferred ): Amber Buckley Telephone (315) 330-3605 Email: [email protected] Emails must reference the solicitation (BAA) number and title of the acquisition. Pre-Proposal Communication between Prospective Offerors and Government Representatives : Dialogue between prospective offerors and Government representatives is encouraged. Technical and contracting questions can be resolved in writing or through open discussions. Discussions with any of the points of contact shall not constitute a commitment by the Government to subsequently fund or award any proposed effort. Only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government. Offerors are cautioned that evaluation ratings may be lowered and/or proposal rejected if proposal preparation (Proposal format, content, etc.) and/or submittal instructions are not followed. AMENDMENT 1 TO BAA FA8750-22-S-7001 The purpose of this modification is to update the following: Part I-Overview Information; updates the BAA estimated funding paragraph as follows: BAA ESTIMATED FUNDING: Total funding for this BAA is approximately $99M. Individual awards will not normally exceed 30 months with dollar amounts normally ranging from $3M to $40M. This BAA is only requesting submissions for Phase I. There is also the potential to make awards up to any dollar value as long as the value does not exceed the available BAA ceiling amount. Any anticipated funding listed reflects estimated program funding only. This estimate is not a promise of funding. Funding is uncertain and is subject to change. Changes in availability may occur as a result of the exercise of Government discretion. Part II, Section I, updates paragraph 1.3.2 as follows: Phase 2 (24 months) The final phase of the program will be driven towards a compelling demonstration of Fight Tonight’s ability to support air operations planning in a major Air Force evaluation context, to include planning for thousands of targets as part of a coalition force. An integrated prototype will be linked to the external systems necessary to support full-scale scenarios developed and conducted in close cooperation with representatives from operational and acquisition communities within the Air Force. All proposals should only address Phase I. Part II, Section I, updates paragraph 1.5, Table 1 to remove Phase II; Part II, Section II.a, language updated to the following: Individual awards will not normally exceed 30 months with dollar values normally ranging from $3M to $40M. There is also the potential to make awards up to any dollar value as long as the value does not exceed the available BAA ceiling amount of $99M. No other changes are made. SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL ANNOUCEMENT DETAILS. AMENDMENT 1 TO BAA FA8750-22-S-7001 The purpose of this modification is to update the following: Part I-Overview Information; updates the BAA estimated funding paragraph as follows: BAA ESTIMATED FUNDING: Total funding for this BAA is approximately $99M. Individual awards will not normally exceed 30 months with dollar amounts normally ranging from $3M to $40M. This BAA is only requesting submissions for Phase I. There is also the potential to make awards up to any dollar value as long as the value does not exceed the available BAA ceiling amount. Any anticipated funding listed reflects estimated program funding only. This estimate is not a promise of funding. Funding is uncertain and is subject to change. Changes in availability may occur as a result of the exercise of Government discretion. Part II, Section I, updates paragraph 1.3.2 as follows: Phase 2 (24 months) The final phase of the program will be driven towards a compelling demonstration of Fight Tonight’s ability to support air operations planning in a major Air Force evaluation context, to include planning for thousands of targets as part of a coalition force. An integrated prototype will be linked to the external systems necessary to support full-scale scenarios developed and conducted in close cooperation with representatives from operational and acquisition communities within the Air Force. All proposals should only address Phase I. Part II, Section I, updates paragraph 1.5, Table 1 to remove Phase II; Part II, Section II.a, language updated to the following: Individual awards will not normally exceed 30 months with dollar values normally ranging from $3M to $40M. There is also the potential to make awards up to any dollar value as long as the value does not exceed the available BAA ceiling amount of $99M. No other changes are made. SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL AMENDMENT DETAILS. AMENDMENT 2 TO BAA FA8750-22-S-7001 The purpose of this amendment is to: Part I, Overview Information is updated to revise the due date for proposals under TA1 and TA2 as shown below: PART I – OVERVIEW INFORMATION This announcement is for an Open, 2 Step BAA, with a partial Closed-Staggered, 2 Step BAA for Technical Area 1 (TA1) and Technical Area 2 (TA2), which is open and effective until 30 Nov 2026. Only white papers will be accepted as initial submissions; formal proposals will be accepted by invitation only. While white papers will be considered if received prior to 4 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 30 Nov 2026, the following submission dates are suggested to best align with projected funding: Technical Area 1 (TA1) and Technical Area 2 (TA2) are structured as a Closed-Staggered, 2 Step BAA. Therefore, for TA1 and TA2 ONLY: The Government anticipates awarding two awards for Technical Area 1 and two awards for Technical Area 2. Therefore, white papers for TA1 and TA2 are due on 10 JAN 2022 and if requested, proposals are due on 4 MAR 2022. Please note that white papers will still be accepted for TA1 and TA2 after the 10 JAN 2022 date, however, the likelihood of funding being available is substantially reduced. For all other Technical Areas: The Government anticipates adding technical areas via BAA amendment in the future. All potential Offerors are requested to wait to submit white papers until the BAA announcement is updated with specific technology requirements and dates. Part II, Full Text Announcement, Section IV Application and Submission Information is updated to revise the due date for proposals under Task 2 as shown below: SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES: It is recommended that white papers be received by 4 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the following dates to maximize the possibility of award: Technical Area 1 (TA1) and Technical Area 2 (TA2) are structured as a Closed-Staggered, 2 Step BAA. Therefore, for TA1 andTA2 ONLY: The Government anticipates awarding two awards for Technical Area 1 and two awards for Technical Area 2. Therefore, white papers for TA1 and TA2 are due on 10 JAN 2022 and if requested, proposals are due on 4 MAR 2022. Please note that white papers will still be accepted for TA1 and TA2 after the 10 JAN 2022 date, however, the likelihood of funding being available is substantially reduced. For all other Technical Areas: The Government anticipates adding technical areas via BAA amendment in the future. All potential Offerors are requested to wait to submit white papers until the BAA announcement is updated with specific technology requirements and dates. White papers will be accepted until 4 PM EST on 30 Nov 2026, but it is less likely that funding will be available in each respective fiscal year after the dates cited. This BAA will close on 30 Nov 2026. All offerors submitting white papers will receive notification of their evaluation results within 45 days of submission. Offerors should email the TPOC and the Contracting Officer listed in Section VII, for status of their white paper(s) after 45 days, if no such correspondence has been received. Section VI.4.d, adds new language as shown below: ACTIONS FOR THE PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, CONTROLLED INFORMATION, KEY PERSONNEL AND CRITICAL TECHNOLOGIES. Offerors who are requested to submit a proposal under this solicitation of grants, cooperative agreements, Technology Investment Agreements, and other non-procurement transactions only shall submit specific information for all key personnel, whether or not the individuals’ efforts under the project are to be funded by the DoD. Specific requirements will be detailed in the Request for Proposal (RFP) letter. The information shall be included in the Research and Related/Key Person Profile (Expanded) form (https://www.grants.gov/forms/r-r-family.html). This collection only applies to persons identified as key personnel. This information shall not be included in the overall proposal page limits. Failure to submit this information may cause the proposal to be returned without further review , and the DoD reserves the right to request further details before making a final determination on funding an effort. This information will be used to support protection of intellectual property, controlled information, key personnel, and information about critical technologies relevant to national security. Additionally, this information will be used to limit undue influence, including foreign talent programs, by countries that desire to exploit United States’ technology within the DoD research, science and technology, and innovation enterprise. Certification Regarding Disclosure of Funding Sources By submission of a white paper/proposal, you agree to abide by the following statement: "By signing this white paper/proposal, I certify the proposing entity is in compliance with Section 223(a) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 which requires that: (a) the PI and other key personnel certify that the current and pending support provided on the proposal is current, accurate and complete; (b) the PI and other key personnel agree to update such disclosure at the request of the agency prior to the award of support and at any subsequent time the agency determines appropriate during the term of the award; and (c) the PI and other key personnel have been made aware of the requirements under Section 223(a)(1) of this Act. I am aware that any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or claims may subject me to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties. (U.S. code, Title 218, Section 1001). Section VII; Agency Contacts, updates the OMBUDSMAN as follows: In accordance with AFFARS 5301.91, an Ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition announcement. Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. AFFARS Clause 5352.201-9101 Ombudsman (Oct 2019) will be incorporated into all contracts awarded under this BAA. The AFRL Ombudsman is as follows: Mr. Steven Ewers 1864 4th Street WPAFB OH 45433 Phone: (937) 904-9700 FAX: (937) 656-7321 [email protected] No other changes are made. PLEASE SEE ATTACHMENT FOR AMENDMENT 2 Amendment No. 3 to BAA FA8750-22-S-7001 The purpose of this amendment is to: Section III, Eligibility Information, adds the following paragraph 5 for S&T Protection: 5. In accordance with AFRLI 61-113, S&T Protection, Contractors/Recipients are required to submit with their proposal a Standard Form 424, "Research and Related and Senior and Key Person Profile (Expanded), as well as a Security Program Questionnaire, which are included in the RI-Specific Proposal Preparation Instructions and can be accessed at: https://sam.gov/opp/e628c811fafe041accdddf55fb8539bf/view?keywords=AFRL-BAA-GUIDE&sort=-relevance&index=&is_active=true&page=1. Always reference the newest versions of these documents. Complete and submit the required forms with your proposal to the technical point of contact (TPOC) listed in Section VII-Agency Contacts AND [email protected]. Contractors will be required to provide documentation of their Security Program Plan for initial Institution S&T Protection Program Review. The purpose of requesting the plan is to evaluate the offeror’s capacity for protecting the Government’s S&T and failure to demonstrate a plan adequate to meet the needs of the requirement may be grounds for considering the proposal unawardable. In the event a security risk is identified and the Government has determined the security risk exceeds the acceptable threshold, the Contractor/Recipient will be notified and informed of the termination/decline of award. The Government will be only required to provide a general statement of the reasoning due to Government OPSEC measures. After award, the Contractor/Recipient will be required to re-submit the Standard Form 424 as an annual requirement to the points of contact listed above. No other changes are made. AMENDMENT 4 TO BAA FA8750-22-S-7001 The purpose of this modification is to republish the original announcement, incorporating any previous amendments, pursuant to FAR 35.016(c). This republishing also includes the following changes: 1. Part II, Full Text Announcement: a. Section IV.f.5, deletes the last sentence regarding options; b. Section VI.1, updates the Proposal Formatting language; c. Section VI.7, updates the applicable provisions; No other changes are made. SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL ANNOUNCEMENT CHANGES. AMENDMENT 5 TO BAA FA8750-22-S-7001 The purpose of this modification is to republish the original announcement, incorporating any previous amendments, pursuant to FAR 35.016(c). This republishing also includes the following changes: Part II, Full Text Announcement: Section III.2.b.2, updates the DCSA website; Section IV, adds a statement about responsible sources; Section V.2.b.2, adds paragraph c. regarding the S&T process during evaluation; Section V.3, is updated from FAPIIS to Responsibility/Qualification (R/Q) Public Access; Section V.4, adds language regarding the certified cost and pricing data threshold for small businesses and non-traditional defense contractors; Section VI.1, updates the Proposal Formatting language; Section VI.7, updates the applicable provisions; Section VII, updates AFFARS to DAFFARS and the OMBUDSMAN date. No other changes are made. SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL AMENDMENT DETAILS. Amendment No. 6 to BAA FA8750-22-S-7001 The purpose of this amendment is to: In Section VI.7, NOTICE, update the provisions as follows: NOTICE: The following provisions* apply: FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management FAR 52.204-16, Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting FAR 52.204-22, Alternative Line Item Proposal FAR 52.204-29, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders-Representation and Disclosures FAR 52.211-14, Notice of Priority Rating for National Defense, Emergency Preparedness, and Energy Program Use FAR 52.232-2, Service of Protest DFARS 252.203-7005, Representation Relating to Compensation of Former DoD Officials DFARS 252.204-7008, Compliance with Safeguarding Covered Defense Information Controls DFARS 252.204-7019, Notice of NISTSP 800-171 DoD Assessment Requirements DFARS 252.204-7024, Notice on the Use of the Supplier Performance Risk System DFARS 252.215-7009, Proposal Adequacy Checklist DFARS 252.215-7013, Supplies and Services Provided by Nontraditional Defense Contractors DFARS 252.225-7055, Representation Regarding Business Operations with the Maduro Regime DFARS 252.225-7057, Preaward Disclosure of Employment of Individuals Who Work in the People’s Republic of China DFARS 252.225-7059, Prohibition on Certain Procurements from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region-Representation DFARS 252.225-7973, Prohibition on the Procurement of Foreign-Made Unmanned Aircraft Systems-Representation (DEVIATION 2020-O0015) (MAY 2020) DFARS 252.227-7028, Technical Data or Computer Software Previously Delivered to the Government DFARS 252.239-7017, Notice of Supply Chain Risk DFARS 252.239-7098, Prohibition on Contracting to Maintain or Establish a Computer Network Unless Such Network is Designed to Block Access to Certain Websites-Representation (Deviation 2021-O0003) (APR 2021) * Please note that the current versions or deviations of the related clauses will be included in any resulting contract. Additional provisions may be included in any resultant contract, dependent upon each individual effort. No other changes are made. Amendment No. 7 to BAA FA8750-22-S-7001 The purpose of this amendment is to: Section III, Paragraph 5, updates S&T Protection language; Section V, paragraph 2.e, updates the language regarding the S&T review; SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL AMENDMENT DETAILS. AMENDMENT 8 TO BAA FA8750-22-S-7001 The purpose of this modification is to republish the original announcement, incorporating any previous amendments, pursuant to FAR 35.016(c)and to add Phase II requirements. This modification also includes the following changes: PART I, Overview Information: Adds Closed, 2 Step requirements and instructions for Phase II; and adds language that Government is no longer accepting white papers for TA1 and TA2 Phase I; Under “BAA ESTIMATED FUNDING” deletes the statement that the BAA is only requesting submissions for Phase I and adds Phase II anticipated award value; Updates Type of Instruments that May be Awarded language; PART II, Full Text Announcement: Section I, updates CFDA number to Assistance Listing Number; Section I, page 13, adds language to see SAM.gov attachment titled “Phase II Attachment to FT BAA” for Phase II requirements; Section I, page 21, adds language to see SAM.gov attachment titled “Phase II Attachment to FT BAA” for Phase II requirements; Section II.1, updates anticipated funding; Section II.3, updates BAA Type language; Section IV.1, adds Phase II submission deadlines; and adds language that the Government is no longer accepting white papers for TA1 and TA2 Phase I; Section IV.3, updates Information Protection Office POC; Section IV.4.e, adds language to Government Approved Accounting System paragraph; Section V.4, updates Adequate Price Competition paragraph; Section VI.1, updates proposal formatting language; Section VI, adds paragraphs 9,10, and 11; Section VII, updates Fight Tonight TPOC; Section VII, updates the OMBUDSMAN. No other changes are made. See attachments for full amendment details. Amendment No. 8 to BAA FA8750-22-S-7001 The purpose of this amendment is to: Part II, FULL TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT, adds language regarding Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Act (FASCSA) Orders; Section VI, paragraph 11, updates FINANCIAL RESOURCES requirements language; FULL TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT: Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Act (FASCSA) Orders: As of the date of this solicitation amendment, there are no applicable FASCSA orders. This requirement only applies to FAR based awards. SECTION VI: 11. FINANCIAL RESOURCES: Proposals shall include information to determine adequate financial resources to perform the effort, taking into consideration all existing commercial and governmental business commitments. See DFARS 232.072-2(b) for a list of the types of information used to support financial responsibility. Examples include financial statements (e.g. Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement, Compensation); disclosures of previous insolvency; business case/cash flow forecasts; financing arrangements; and/or letters of good standing from accredited financial institutions. Proposals shall also include all significant ratios as outlined in DFARS 232.072-2(b)(10)(i)-(vi). This requirement only applies to FAR based awards. No other changes are made. Amendment No. 9 to BAA FA8750-22-S-7001 The purpose of this amendment is to: Part II, Section VI, adds paragraph 12 as follows; 12. 15% INDIRECT COST CAP ON ASSISTANCE AWARDS TO INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION: The policies of the OUSD(R&E) memo, “Implementation of a 15% Indirect Cost Cap on Assistance Awards to Institutions of Higher Education” dated 12 June 2025, will be applicable for the entirety of the award if there is a court decision permitting application of the policies. No other changes are made. AMENDMENT 11 TO BAA FA8750-22-S-7001 The purpose of this modification is to make the following changes: Update to the correct amendment number, amendment 11; Part I, and Part II, VII, update the Fight Tonight PM; Section VI, adds paragraphs 9 and 10, removes paragraph 12 Section VII, updates the OMBUDSMAN No other changes are made. AMENDMENT 12 TO BAA FA8750-22-S-7001 The purpose of this modification is to republish the original announcement, incorporating any previous amendments, pursuant to FAR 35.016(c). This republishing also includes the following changes: Part II, Full Text Announcement: Section III.2.b.2, updates the FOCI guidance; Section IV.4.b, updates the provision date; Section V.2, corrects numbering; Section V.4; updates the thresholds; Section VI.1, updates proposal formatting language; Section VI.3, updates debriefing language; Section VI.7, updates the provisions; Section VII: updates the OMBUDSMAN. No other changes are made. Amendment No. 13 to BAA FA8750-22-S-7001 The purpose of this amendment is to: Part II, FULL TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT, updates the language regarding Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act (FASCSA) Orders; FULL TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT: Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act (FASCSA) Orders: Depending on the date of issuance of this solicitation, FASCSA order(s) may be applicable. Therefore, the Offeror shall search for the phrase “FASCSA order” in the System for Award Management (SAM) (https://www.sam.gov) for any covered article, or any products or services produced or provided by a source, if there is an applicable Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders prohibition. This requirement only applies to FAR based awards. No other changes are made. Amendment No. 14 to BAA FA8750-22-S-7001 The purpose of this amendment is to: PART I-OVERVIEW INFORMATION, adds new language regarding assistance instruments regarding Gold Standard Science in accordance with Executive Order 14303; PART II, Section V, paragraph 1, adds new language regarding evaluation criteria for assistance instruments. See attachment for full amendment details.