Opportunity Information: Apply for BAA VS 07 02
Apply for BAA VS 07 02
- The Air Force Research Lab in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Simulation and Technology Assessment" 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 12.910 Research and Technology Development.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 30, 2009 and posted on Jan 30, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 22, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $2,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $4,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- 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.
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Opportunity Summary:
Simulation and Technology Assessment (BAA VS 07 02) is a Broad Agency Announcement issued by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Space Vehicles Directorate (VS), focused on advancing the state of the art in space vehicle modeling, simulation, and analysis. The opportunity is tied to AFRL's System Simulation and Flight Control program and is meant to bring in new research and development ideas that help the Air Force design, evaluate, and validate emerging space technologies faster and with better evidence. The work AFRL is looking for spans everything from physics-based and engineering-level performance modeling to higher-level system, mission, and campaign analysis, with an emphasis on using simulation and decision-quality metrics to support technology investment choices.
A key point is that this is a multi-year umbrella announcement rather than a single one-time solicitation. The baseline BAA is described as a five-year, open-ended vehicle (extended under Amendment 0002) and it is not something you submit a proposal to directly. Instead, AFRL plans to release specific topic-focused proposal requests called "CALLS" over the life of the BAA. Each CALL is where the real competition happens: it will define the particular research problem, the expected period of performance, any special instructions, and the anticipated funding range, and it will include the exact proposal due date and time. Applicants are expected to monitor FedBizOps (now commonly accessed through SAM.gov contracting notices, though the text cites FedBizOps/EPS) and Grants.gov for these CALL announcements and any amendments, because those platforms are the official way AFRL notifies the community.
Technically, the opportunity centers on two tightly connected themes: simulation technology and technology assessment. AFRL is interested in proposals that enable rapid space vehicle system design and visualization, integrate modeling and simulation across different fidelity levels (from component physics to mission outcomes), and quantify performance, utility, and quality of service in ways that are useful for real decisions. The technology assessment component explicitly goes beyond building a model; it includes measuring and predicting how a technology performs at the physics/engineering level, inserting those results into a broader system simulation, and then evaluating the downstream impact at the system, mission, and campaign levels. AFRL also calls out the need for Concepts of Employment (COE) and Military Utility Analysis (MUA), including value modeling, Measures of Performance, and other quantitative metrics that let the directorate compare options and prioritize investments. In some cases, work may involve plugging technology models into wargames, virtual exercises, or hardware-in-the-loop simulations to gather warfighter feedback and improve realism.
The BAA also highlights support to flight experiments as part of the scope, where modeling, simulation, and analysis are used to plan and de-risk demonstrations of new capabilities. That can include defining experiments and scenarios, systems engineering support, risk mitigation planning, cost modeling and trade studies, launch vehicle selection support, subsystem and vehicle performance modeling, and visualizing mission operations and detailed vehicle behavior. The overall intent is practical: produce credible, decision-ready evidence that a technology works, what it costs, what it enables, and how it changes outcomes in operationally meaningful contexts.
On funding, AFRL provides an estimated program-level profile of about $4 million per year across fiscal years 2007 through 2011, but stresses that these figures are planning estimates and not a contractual promise. Actual funding, topic selection, and award sizes are expected to vary by CALL, and AFRL notes that budget changes can happen with little notice. In the consolidated Grants.gov-style metadata, the opportunity lists an estimated total funding figure of $2,000,000, an award ceiling of $4,000,000, and an award floor of $0, with an expected three awards; however, the narrative BAA makes clear that at least one award per CALL is anticipated but AFRL can make multiple awards or no award depending on the specific CALL and proposal quality.
Eligibility is described as unrestricted in the sense that AFRL is open to proposals from all types of offerors, but there are practical constraints. The BAA references NAICS 541712 and includes small business size standards (1000 employees for Space Vehicles/Guided Missiles, or 500 for other R&D). It also flags that foreign-owned firms may be restricted or precluded and encourages them to check with contracting or technical contacts before investing heavily in a proposal. Another important limitation is export control: because some research may involve export-controlled technology, AFRL anticipates awards that are unclassified but limited-access, and states that only offerors certified through the Defense Logistics Information Service (DLIS) Joint Certification Program may submit proposals. In addition, organizational conflicts of interest may apply depending on the CALL, and the solicitation includes an administrative access to proprietary information consent provision that typically must be signed and submitted with the proposal (or formally objected to per instructions).
In terms of award instruments, AFRL leaves flexibility to choose what best fits the work. Depending on the CALL, the government may use traditional FAR-based procurement contracts (often cost-plus-fixed-fee completion type), grants, cooperative agreements, or Other Transactions (OTs) for prototype or research. Some efforts may be placed under IDIQ structures with cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery orders. Because the BAA can lead to a range of contract types, not every clause or term can be pre-published for every situation; for many CALLs, AFRL may provide a model contract to the apparent winner during negotiations.
Operationally, AFRL encourages communication prior to proposal submission, especially to confirm government interest and funding availability for a contemplated approach. Dialogue is encouraged, but only a contracting officer can legally commit the government. The typical deliverables, negotiated per CALL, include program plans and updates, monthly status and financial reports, draft and final technical reports, presentation materials, patent reports, and in some cases Unique Identification Designator (UID) requirements. Points of contact are provided for both technical and contracting matters at Kirtland AFB, and an AFRL ombudsman is identified to help address concerns related to the fairness of the solicitation process.
Finally, the timeline in the posting indicates it was posted January 30, 2009 and archived after a February 22, 2012 closing date in the Grants.gov record, while the narrative frames the BAA as a five-year vehicle reviewed annually and updated through amendments. The practical takeaway for applicants is that participation depends on responding to individual CALLs when they are released, tailoring proposals tightly to those specific topics, budgets, and schedules rather than treating the baseline BAA as a stand-alone application target.
Simulation and Technology Assessment (BAA VS 07 02) - FAQs
What is Simulation and Technology Assessment (BAA VS 07 02)?
It is a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) issued by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Space Vehicles Directorate (VS), aimed at advancing space vehicle modeling, simulation, analysis, and technology assessment. It supports AFRL's System Simulation and Flight Control program by bringing in research and development ideas that help the Air Force design, evaluate, and validate emerging space technologies faster and with decision-ready evidence.
Is this a single one-time solicitation?
No. This is described as a multi-year umbrella announcement rather than a one-time solicitation. The baseline BAA is a five-year, open-ended vehicle (extended under Amendment 0002).
Can I submit a proposal directly to the baseline BAA?
No. The baseline BAA is not something you submit a proposal to directly. AFRL plans to release specific topic-focused proposal requests called "CALLS" over the life of the BAA, and those CALLS are where proposals are submitted and competed.
What is a "CALL" under this BAA?
A CALL is a topic-specific request released under the umbrella BAA. Each CALL defines the specific research problem, expected period of performance, any special proposal instructions, anticipated funding range, and the exact proposal due date and time. The actual competition occurs at the CALL level.
Where will CALL announcements and amendments be posted?
Applicants are expected to monitor FedBizOps (now commonly accessed through SAM.gov contracting notices, though the BAA text cites FedBizOps/EPS) and Grants.gov. These platforms are described as the official way AFRL notifies the community about CALLs and amendments.
What technical areas does AFRL want to fund under this BAA?
The opportunity centers on two connected themes: simulation technology and technology assessment for space vehicles. AFRL is looking for approaches spanning physics-based and engineering-level performance modeling through higher-level system, mission, and campaign analysis, with emphasis on simulation and decision-quality metrics to support technology investment decisions.
What does AFRL mean by "simulation technology" in this context?
Simulation technology includes capabilities that enable rapid space vehicle system design and visualization, and that integrate modeling and simulation across different fidelity levels (from component physics to mission outcomes). AFRL emphasizes quantifying performance, utility, and quality of service in ways that support real decisions.
What does "technology assessment" include beyond building a model?
Technology assessment is described as measuring and predicting how a technology performs at the physics/engineering level, inserting those results into broader system simulations, and evaluating downstream impacts at system, mission, and campaign levels. The goal is decision-ready evidence of what a technology does and what it changes operationally.
Are Concepts of Employment (COE) and Military Utility Analysis (MUA) within scope?
Yes. AFRL specifically calls out COE and MUA, including value modeling, Measures of Performance, and other quantitative metrics used to compare options and prioritize investments.
Does this BAA include wargaming, virtual exercises, or hardware-in-the-loop work?
Potentially, yes. The BAA notes that some work may involve plugging technology models into wargames, virtual exercises, or hardware-in-the-loop simulations to gather warfighter feedback and improve realism.
Is support to flight experiments part of the scope?
Yes. The BAA highlights support to flight experiments where modeling, simulation, and analysis are used to plan and de-risk demonstrations of new capabilities.
What kinds of flight experiment support activities are mentioned?
Examples include defining experiments and scenarios, systems engineering support, risk mitigation planning, cost modeling and trade studies, launch vehicle selection support, subsystem and vehicle performance modeling, and visualization of mission operations and detailed vehicle behavior.
What is the overall outcome AFRL is trying to achieve?
The stated intent is practical: produce credible, decision-ready evidence showing whether a technology works, what it costs, what it enables, and how it changes outcomes in operationally meaningful contexts.
How much funding is available under this opportunity?
AFRL provides multiple funding descriptions. The narrative includes an estimated program-level profile of about $4 million per year across fiscal years 2007 to 2011, but stresses these are planning estimates and not a promise. The Grants.gov-style metadata lists estimated total funding of $2,000,000, an award ceiling of $4,000,000, an award floor of $0, and an expected three awards. Actual funding is expected to vary by CALL, and budgets may change with little notice.
How are award amounts determined?
Award sizes, periods of performance, and the anticipated funding range are expected to be specified within each CALL. The BAA indicates at least one award per CALL is anticipated, but AFRL may make multiple awards or no award depending on the CALL and proposal quality.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted in the sense that AFRL is open to proposals from all types of offerors, subject to practical constraints described in the BAA and any additional restrictions that may appear in individual CALLs.
Are there small business considerations mentioned?
Yes. The BAA references NAICS 541712 and cites small business size standards (1000 employees for Space Vehicles/Guided Missiles, or 500 for other R&D).
Are foreign-owned firms allowed to participate?
The BAA flags that foreign-owned firms may be restricted or precluded and encourages them to check with contracting or technical contacts before investing heavily in a proposal.
Are there export control or limited-access requirements?
Yes. Because some research may involve export-controlled technology, AFRL anticipates awards that are unclassified but limited-access. The BAA states that only offerors certified through the Defense Logistics Information Service (DLIS) Joint Certification Program may submit proposals.
What is the DLIS Joint Certification Program requirement?
Based on the BAA text, certification through the DLIS Joint Certification Program is required to submit proposals because some work may involve export-controlled technology even if the award is unclassified.
Can organizational conflicts of interest (OCI) affect eligibility?
Yes. The BAA notes that organizational conflicts of interest may apply depending on the CALL.
Is there an administrative consent related to proprietary information?
Yes. The solicitation includes an administrative access to proprietary information consent provision that typically must be signed and submitted with the proposal (or formally objected to per instructions).
What award instruments might AFRL use?
AFRL indicates flexibility depending on the CALL, including FAR-based procurement contracts (often cost-plus-fixed-fee completion type), grants, cooperative agreements, Other Transactions (OTs) for prototype or research, and in some cases IDIQ structures with cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery orders.
Will all contract terms and clauses be published in advance?
Not necessarily. Because the BAA can result in a range of instrument types, the BAA notes that not every clause or term can be pre-published for every situation. For many CALLs, AFRL may provide a model contract to the apparent winner during negotiations.
Should applicants communicate with AFRL before submitting a proposal?
Yes. AFRL encourages communication prior to proposal submission, especially to confirm government interest and funding availability for a contemplated approach.
Can AFRL personnel make funding commitments during discussions?
No. The BAA emphasizes that only a contracting officer can legally commit the government.
What kinds of deliverables are typically expected?
Deliverables are negotiated per CALL, and the BAA lists typical items such as program plans and updates, monthly status and financial reports, draft and final technical reports, presentation materials, patent reports, and in some cases Unique Identification Designator (UID) requirements.
Is there an ombudsman for concerns about solicitation fairness?
Yes. An AFRL ombudsman is identified to help address concerns related to the fairness of the solicitation process.
Where are the points of contact located?
The BAA states that points of contact are provided for technical and contracting matters at Kirtland AFB.
What is the posted timeline for this opportunity?
The posting indicates it was posted on January 30, 2009 and archived after a February 22, 2012 closing date in the Grants.gov record. The narrative also frames the BAA as a five-year vehicle reviewed annually and updated through amendments.
What is the practical takeaway for applicants?
Participation depends on responding to individual CALLs when they are released. Proposals should be tailored to the specific CALL topic, budget, instructions, and schedule, rather than treating the baseline BAA as a stand-alone application target.
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