Neutron Strategic Technology Advanced Research (Neutron-STAR) Advanced Research Announcement (ARA)
Solicitation from the Department of the Air Force. Due Oct 1, 2027, 12:00 AM (UTC-6), 348 days left.
| Solicitation number | FA9453-23-R-A004 |
|---|---|
| Agency | Department of the Air Force |
| Office | FA9453 Afrl Rvk |
| Notice type | Solicitation |
| Set-aside | None |
| Trade (NAICS) | Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715) |
| Product or service code | AC33 |
| Posted | Sep 9, 2026 |
| Response deadline | Oct 1, 2027, 12:00 AM (UTC-6) (348 days left) |
Official notice and attachments
Description
Amendment 4 - 09/25/2025: The above amendement changes/updates the following item: 1. Attach updated Neutron Star Industry guide dated 25 Sept 2025, due to issues with Microsoft permissions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amendment 3 - 09/09/2025: The above amendement changes/updates the following item: 1.
Updates the QR code in the Trifold Brochure ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amendment 2 - 09/03/2025: The above amendment changes/updates the following items: Extend date offers due Attach updated Neutron Star Industry User Guide v3 dated 10 Jun 2025 with specific instructions pertaining to ROM cost estimates, and White Paper Delivery Instructions.
Address Announcement Questions to the Neutron STAR Org Mailbox ([email protected]) attention of the Neutron-STAR Team. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amendment 1 - 8/15/2024 The above amendment changes/updates the following items: Extend date offers due Attach updated Neutron Star Industry User Guide v2 dated 14Aug24 with specific instruction pertaining to Topic 5 submissions Address Announcement Questions to the Neutron STAR Org Mailbox ([email protected]) attention of: from Primary: Ms. Ashley Patterson, AFRL/RVKB to Mr. Ever Orozco-Perea, AFRL/RVKB Alternate: Mr. Isaac Thorp, AFRL/RVKB and Ms. Regina Alflen, AFRL/RVKB ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAICS Code: The NAICS Code for this acquisition is 541715 for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology).
Federal Agency Name: Air Force Research Laboratory ARA Title: Neutron Strategic Technology Advanced Research (Neutron STAR) Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) ARA Type: This is an Open ARA; initial announcement SUBMISSION DATES ARE INDEFIINITE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE PROGRAM SUMMARY: This is an Open ARA announcement pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C. §4023 Procurement for Experimental Purposes.
AFRL is interested in receiving white papers regarding nuclear-related research and development, including, but not limited to modeling and simulation of re-entry environments, materials characterization, nuclear explosion monitoring, and design, fabrication and experimentation of nuclear delivery. Dialogue between prospective Offerors and Government representatives is strongly encouraged.
This solicitation intends to use the acquisition authority provided by 10 U.S.C. §4023. This authority applies to the acquisition of items related to “…ordnance, signal, chemical activity, transportation, energy, medical, spaceflight, and aeronautical supplies, including parts and accessories, and designs thereof, that are necessary for experimental or test purposes in the development of the best supplies that are needed for the national defense.”
Consequently, white papers and proposals should address how the proposed effort provides benefits to the national defense relative to the parameters of this authority, and a strategy for verifying those intended benefits. *Please see the attached Neutron Star Industry User Guide for guidance on definitions, processes, submission requirements and evaluation criteria.* BACKGROUND: AFRL’s Geo Space Division (RVBN) positions AFRL to steward, develop, and deliver leading technologies to the warfighter and the nuclear enterprise to ensure the National defense.
Thus, proposed solutions should be innovative and substantially improve national defense capabilities across the domains of national nuclear deterrence operations. While the Government describes discrete topic areas below, it also anticipates that certain comprehensive technology solutions and prototypes may require multidiscipline approaches that address two or more topic areas.
The topic areas covered under this announcement may be used in any combination. The Government reserves the right to add, delete or modify the topic areas as necessary. Industry-Government Communication: Dialogue between prospective Offerors and Government representatives is strongly encouraged throughout the life of this ARA.
However, communication shall be limited to the Contracting/Agreement Officer once full proposals are submitted for evaluation/review. Discussions should focus on understanding Government objectives and requirements, feasibility of prospective offeror approach, and prospective offeror prior similar efforts. Discussions shall not constitute a commitment by the Government to subsequently fund or award any proposed effort.
No guidance related to technical approach will be given. Offerors are advised that only Contracting or Agreement Officers are legally authorized to contractually bind or otherwise commit the Government. ANNOUNCEMENT DETAILS: This is a HYBRID ANNOUNCEMENT.
This announcement includes an open request for white papers as described below. Additionally, individual solicitations for white papers (Two-Step solicitation) and/or proposals (One-Step solicitation) related to discrete requirements may be issued. AFRL reserves the right to collapse a white paper (Two-Step solicitation) into a One-Step if the situation warrants and the white paper contains sufficient technical detail to do full technical proposal evaluation instead of white paper evaluation.
Open Announcement Request: AFRL/RVBN is soliciting white papers on the research effort described in the below topic areas pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C. §4023, Procurement for Ex
The description continues in the official notice.
About the buyer
The Department of the Air Force awarded $83.0 billion in contracts in the last 12 months; its biggest suppliers were The Boeing Company, The Boeing Company and Raytheon Company. See what Air Force is buying now.