Opportunity Information: Apply for BAA 09 11 PKM CALL4
Apply for BAA 09 11 PKM CALL4
- The Air Force Research Lab in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Directed Energy Materials Program CALL 4 High Power Microwave Windows First Category Window" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.800 Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 4, 2009 and posted on Feb 3, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 13, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
- Foreign participation is not allowed. Small businesses are encouraged to propose on all or any part of this solicitation.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Directed Energy Materials Program, issued by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) through its Materials and Manufacturing Technology Directorate and the Survivability and Sensor Materials Division (AFRL/RXPS) at Wright-Patterson AFB, is structured as an open-ended Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) that was expected to remain open for roughly two years. The broader purpose of the program is to accelerate materials technology advances that directly enable next-generation directed energy capabilities, including high energy laser (HEL) systems, high power microwave (HPM) systems, and mid-infrared laser source and laser development. Rather than being a single one-time solicitation, the BAA serves as an umbrella under which AFRL releases specific "Calls" that request technical and cost proposals focused on targeted problems within the program's scope.
Within the overall program, AFRL highlights several priority technical areas. For HEL systems, the government is interested in materials advances that support kilowatt-class lasers, with emphasis on new fiber laser materials, improvements to existing fiber materials, and materials that enable high-power optical isolation in fiber laser architectures. For mid-infrared laser work, the program also anticipates calls that address materials and development needs tied to those sources. For HPM systems, the program emphasizes the need for improved microwave window materials, since output windows are a critical survivability and performance bottleneck in high-power microwave transmission.
CALL 4, titled "High Power Microwave Windows First Category Window," zeroes in on the most critical HPM output window challenge for operation around the 100 GHz neighborhood. The government identifies cost and durability as the two dominant concerns at these frequencies, but also states that the only material currently meeting the combined requirements for strength, low loss tangent (to reduce dielectric heating), and high thermal conductivity (to manage extreme thermal loads) is optical diamond. As a result, this call is essentially centered on optical diamond window technology, with the technical direction aimed at (1) strengthening current state-of-the-art optical diamond windows to improve survivability and durability, and (2) increasing the throughput of grown diamond to reduce processing and production costs. The underlying idea is that if diamond growth and processing can be scaled and improved while maintaining the necessary electromagnetic and mechanical properties, it becomes more practical to field robust windows for extreme HPM environments. The wider HPM window theme across the BAA also references the need to improve durability and optical transmission to reduce absorption and reflection losses, with an application goal that includes supporting transmission levels on the order of hundreds of megawatts (notably, 300 MW is cited for other HPM window applications).
From a contracting and funding standpoint, the announcement indicates that multiple awards were anticipated, potentially across a mix of instrument types (including procurement contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements), and with varying dollar values depending on the specific call. Typical periods of performance were expected to be 36 months, with an additional three months allocated for final reporting, and CALL 4 itself is described as a three-year technology effort. The process is call-driven: when a call is posted (historically via FedBizOpps), offerors generally have 30 to 45 calendar days to submit both technical and cost proposals, and proposals submitted outside the specified call window are not reviewed and are returned, with late submissions handled under the applicable FAR provision (FAR 52.215-1(c)(3)). AFRL also reserves the right to make no award for any particular call, reinforcing that submissions compete not only on technical merit and cost, but also against the government decision to fund (or not fund) efforts under each call.
Eligibility is broadly described as unrestricted in the sense that any type of domestic entity may apply, but with an explicit restriction that foreign participation is not allowed. The announcement also explicitly encourages small businesses to propose on all or part of the solicitation, signaling an interest in drawing from both traditional defense contractors and smaller specialized materials developers. The opportunity is tied to CFDA 12.800 (Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program) and does not require cost sharing or matching.
Key administrative details included in the source data identify the opportunity as Funding Opportunity Number "BAA 09 11 PKM CALL4" under the Air Force Research Laboratory. For technical questions, the point of contact is William Mitchell at Wright-Patterson AFB (email: William.Mitchell@wpafb.af.mil). Contracting points of contact listed include Scott Savory (Contracting Officer) and Gail Nyikon (Contract Negotiator), with phone numbers provided in the announcement for assistance, particularly if an applicant has difficulty accessing the full posting electronically.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Directed Energy Materials Program (AFRL) - CALL 4
What is the Directed Energy Materials Program?
The Directed Energy Materials Program is an Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) effort, issued through the Materials and Manufacturing Technology Directorate and the Survivability and Sensor Materials Division (AFRL/RXPS) at Wright-Patterson AFB. Its purpose is to accelerate materials technology advances that directly enable next-generation directed energy capabilities.
What directed energy systems does this program support?
The program targets materials that support high energy laser (HEL) systems, high power microwave (HPM) systems, and mid-infrared laser source and laser development.
Is this a one-time solicitation or an ongoing opportunity?
It is an open-ended Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) intended to remain open for roughly two years. AFRL releases specific "Calls" under the umbrella BAA, and each call requests technical and cost proposals for targeted problems within the program scope.
How does the BAA and "Call" structure work?
The BAA serves as the overarching vehicle. AFRL then posts individual Calls that define the specific technical focus and proposal requirements. Applicants respond to a particular call rather than submitting a general proposal at any time.
What is CALL 4 specifically about?
CALL 4 is titled "High Power Microwave Windows First Category Window." It focuses on the most critical HPM output window challenge for operation around the 100 GHz neighborhood, with emphasis on improving cost and durability.
Why is the government focused on microwave window materials at around 100 GHz?
At these frequencies, output windows are described as a critical survivability and performance bottleneck in high-power microwave transmission. The government highlights cost and durability as the two dominant concerns.
What material does AFRL identify as currently meeting the combined performance requirements for CALL 4?
The government states that the only material currently meeting the combined requirements for strength, low loss tangent (to reduce dielectric heating), and high thermal conductivity (to manage extreme thermal loads) is optical diamond.
What are the main technical goals of CALL 4?
The technical direction is aimed at: (1) strengthening current state-of-the-art optical diamond windows to improve survivability and durability, and (2) increasing the throughput of grown diamond to reduce processing and production costs.
What does "increasing the throughput of grown diamond" mean in the context of this call?
Based on the call description, it refers to scaling and improving diamond growth and processing so more usable diamond window material can be produced efficiently, which is intended to reduce production and processing costs while maintaining required properties.
Besides durability and cost, what other performance themes are mentioned for HPM windows under the broader BAA?
The broader HPM window theme references improving durability and optical transmission to reduce absorption and reflection losses.
What power transmission levels are mentioned for HPM window applications?
The wider HPM window theme includes an application goal of supporting transmission levels on the order of hundreds of megawatts. A specific value of 300 MW is cited for other HPM window applications.
What are the priority technical areas in the broader program beyond CALL 4?
AFRL highlights several areas: for HEL systems, materials advances supporting kilowatt-class lasers (including new fiber laser materials, improvements to existing fiber materials, and materials enabling high-power optical isolation in fiber laser architectures). The program also anticipates calls addressing mid-infrared laser source and development needs.
What types of awards or funding instruments might be used?
The announcement indicates multiple awards were anticipated and that awards could use a mix of instrument types, including procurement contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements.
How many awards will be made?
The announcement anticipates multiple awards, but it also states AFRL reserves the right to make no award for any particular call.
How long is the typical period of performance?
Typical periods of performance were expected to be 36 months, plus an additional three months allocated for final reporting. CALL 4 itself is described as a three-year technology effort.
How long do applicants usually have to submit proposals after a call is posted?
When a call is posted, offerors generally have 30 to 45 calendar days to submit both technical and cost proposals.
Are proposals accepted outside the call window?
No. Proposals submitted outside the specified call window are not reviewed and are returned.
What happens if a proposal is submitted late?
Late submissions are handled under the applicable FAR provision referenced in the announcement: FAR 52.215-1(c)(3).
What must be included in a submission?
The process described indicates that offerors submit both technical and cost proposals in response to a posted call.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted in that any type of domestic entity may apply, but foreign participation is explicitly not allowed.
Are small businesses encouraged to apply?
Yes. The announcement explicitly encourages small businesses to propose on all or part of the solicitation.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity does not require cost sharing or matching.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is tied to CFDA 12.800 (Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program).
What is the funding opportunity number for CALL 4?
The key administrative details identify it as Funding Opportunity Number "BAA 09 11 PKM CALL4" under the Air Force Research Laboratory.
Where were calls historically posted?
The announcement notes calls were historically posted via FedBizOpps.
Can AFRL decide not to fund any submissions under a call?
Yes. AFRL reserves the right to make no award for any particular call, meaning proposals compete both on their merits and against the government decision to fund (or not fund) efforts under that call.
Who is the technical point of contact for questions about CALL 4?
The technical point of contact listed is William Mitchell at Wright-Patterson AFB (email: William.Mitchell@wpafb.af.mil).
Who are the contracting points of contact?
Contracting points of contact listed include Scott Savory (Contracting Officer) and Gail Nyikon (Contract Negotiator). The announcement indicates phone numbers were provided for assistance, including help if an applicant has difficulty accessing the full posting electronically.
Which AFRL organization is associated with this announcement?
The announcement is issued by AFRL through the Materials and Manufacturing Technology Directorate and the Survivability and Sensor Materials Division (AFRL/RXPS) at Wright-Patterson AFB.
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