Metamaterials for Optical Domain Applications | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

The Metamaterials for Optical Domain Applications opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number BAA 09 01 PKS CALL008) is a research and development call issued by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), specifically the Sensors Directorate, Aerospace Components Division (AFRL/RYD). The core aim is to advance photonic monolithic integration by developing and demonstrating metamaterial-based optical components. In practical terms, AFRL is looking for technologies that make it easier to build compact, integrated photonic devices where multiple optical and electro-optical functions can be combined onto a single platform or tightly integrated assembly, reducing size, weight, and power while improving performance and manufacturability for defense-relevant systems.

The technical emphasis is on small electro-optical components enabled by metamaterials and suitable for integration into existing avionics and sensor systems. That points to transition-oriented work rather than purely theoretical studies: the Air Force is interested in component concepts that can realistically be packaged, ruggedized, and interfaced with current military hardware. While the short notice does not list specific device types, the language suggests metamaterial approaches to optical functions that are difficult to achieve with conventional materials or that can be dramatically miniaturized (for example, engineered effective refractive indices, subwavelength structures, or tailored electromagnetic responses in the optical domain). The overarching motivation is to enable next-generation photonic integration for airborne sensing and avionics applications where footprint, integration complexity, and reliability are critical.

From an administrative and funding standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary and supports multiple funding instruments, including cooperative agreements, grants, and procurement contracts, reflecting flexibility in how AFRL may structure awards depending on the nature of the proposed work and the level of government involvement anticipated. The funding activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development, and the associated CFDA number is 12.800 (Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program). The announcement anticipated up to three awards and explicitly stated there is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which generally lowers barriers for applicants that may not have independent funds to contribute.

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning the call is open to a broad range of applicants (industry, small businesses, universities, nonprofits, and other organizations), subject to any additional eligibility details that would be spelled out in the full Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) text. Because BAAs often contain specific proposal formatting rules, evaluation criteria, security/export-control considerations, and submission instructions, the notice repeatedly advises offerors to obtain the full BAA and any amendments from the Federal Business Opportunities website (the government portal used at the time). That full document is described as essential for preparing a compliant proposal.

Key dates provided in the listing indicate it was posted and created on May 4, 2009, with proposals due by 3:00 PM Eastern Time on June 3, 2009. The archive date was July 3, 2009, which typically means the solicitation would no longer be active or prominently listed after that point. For access issues related to the full announcement, the point of contact was Ms. Erika Lindsey, a contract negotiator, reachable by phone at (937) 255-3379.

Overall, this call is best understood as AFRL soliciting applied R&D proposals aimed at turning metamaterials into practical, integrable electro-optical building blocks that can support monolithic photonic integration for Air Force avionics and sensing platforms, with a small number of planned awards and a relatively short proposal submission window.

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