STAR ARA Ancmnt Updated

ADVANCED RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT

FA9453-19-S-0002
Air Force Research Laboratory/Space Vehicle Directorate

ANNOUNCEMENT OVERVIEW

Updated

18 May 2026

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), and the small business size standard is 1,000 employees.
Federal Agency Name: Air Force Research Laboratory, Space Vehicles Directorate and Directed Energy, Phillips Research Site
ARA Title: Space Technology Advanced Research (STAR) Announcement, procurement for experimentation of space-flight and space-related signal, energy, and transportation technologies. ARA Type: This is an Open ARA; initial announcement
ARA Number: FA9453-19-S-0002

THIS WILL BE A TWO-STEP SOLICITATION:

Brief Program Summary:
This is an Open ARA pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 4023. AFRL/RV is interested in receiving white papers and proposals through Two-Step Process to perform research and development (R&D), modeling and simulation (M&S), fabrication, experimentation, characterization, testing, demonstration, prototyping, and analysis related to all aspects of space-flight systems, including space flight, on-orbit servicing, debris management, controlled reentry, associated ground systems, communications links, command and control, advanced spacecraft manufacturing technologies, and space system user equipment. Dialogue between prospective Offerors and Government representatives is strongly encouraged.
Communication Between Prospective Offerors and Government Representatives: Dialogue between prospective Offerors and Government representatives is strongly encouraged throughout the life of this ARA. However, communication will be limited once full-proposals are submitted during evaluation/review. Prospective Offerors are welcomed to request sit-downs and provide demonstrations of firm’s capabilities. 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. However, questions related to the objectives of the effort or prior similar efforts may be answered. Offerors are advised that only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to contractually bind or otherwise commit the Government. Potential Offerors are requested to advise the Contracting Officer if they intend to submit a whitepaper in response

to a topic area. Such notification is merely a courtesy and is not a commitment by the Offeror to