FOUNDATIONS OF TRUSTED SYSTEMS

Key Dates

Due Date

Posted Date

Agency & Value

Agency

FA8750 AFRL RIK

Contract Value

Not provided

Codes & Classification

Solicitation Number

FA875025S7001

NAICS

541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Classification Code

AC12

Additional Details

Set Aside

None

Place of Performance

—

SourceSAM

Documents4

The Department of the Air Force, through the Air Force Materiel Command’s AFRL Information Directorate (AFRL/RI) at the Rome Research Site, has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) titled "Foundations of Trusted Systems" (Procurement Identifier: FA875025S7001, BAA Number: FA8750-25-S-7001). This presolicitation notice seeks innovative research proposals aimed at establishing trusted foundations for hardware and software that underpin secure, resilient, and cost-effective Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) and Cyber technologies. The ultimate goal is to advance the state of the art in information processing systems critical to national defense. **Purpose and Scope** The BAA is designed to solicit cutting-edge research and development in technologies and techniques that enhance the trustworthiness of C4I and cyber systems. The focus is on foundational advances that enable secure and resilient information processing, supporting the Air Force’s mission to maintain technological superiority in the face of evolving cyber threats. This announcement is a follow-on to the previous BAA FA8750-20-S-7012, continuing the Department’s commitment to advancing trusted systems. **Key Requirements and Objectives** - **Research Focus:** Proposals should address innovative approaches to trusted hardware and software for C4I and cyber systems, emphasizing security, resilience, and affordability. - **Submission Process:** The BAA follows an open, two-step process. Initial submissions must be in the form of white papers; only those selected will be invited to submit full proposals. - **Award Structure:** Multiple awards are anticipated, with individual efforts typically not exceeding 36 months and funding per award generally ranging from $100,000 to $5 million. However, awards may be made up to the BAA’s total ceiling of approximately $99.9 million, subject to available funding. - **Instrument Types:** The government may issue FAR-based procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or Other Transactions (OTs) under relevant U.S. Code authorities, depending on the nature of the proposed work. Successful OT prototype projects may be eligible for follow-on production contracts or agreements. - **Financial Responsibility:** For FAR-based awards, offerors must demonstrate adequate financial resources, including submission of financial statements, disclosures, forecasts, and significant financial ratios as outlined in DFARS 232.072-2(b). - **Compliance:** Offerors must ensure compliance with the Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act (FASCSA) Orders, as applicable, by searching for relevant prohibitions in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) for covered articles or sources. - **Proposal Preparation:** Strict adherence to proposal formatting and submission instructions is required; failure to comply may result in lower evaluation ratings or rejection. **Contracting Entity and Contact Information** - **Contracting Entity:** FA8750 AFRL RIK, Department of the Air Force, Department of Defense - **Location:** AFRL/Information Directorate, 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome, NY 13441-4514; primary program management at 525 Brooks Rd, Rome, NY 13441-4505 - **NAICS Code:** 541715 – Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) - **Product Service Code:** AC12 **Points of Contact:** - **Program Manager:** Qasim Zafar, AFRL/RITA, 525 Brooks Rd, Rome, NY 13441-4505; Phone: (315) 330-2710; Email: [email protected] - **Contracting Officer:** Amber Buckley; Email: [email protected] **Procurement Type and Special Considerations** This is an open BAA, effective until December 4, 2028. While white papers are accepted at any time before the deadline, suggested submission dates are provided to align with projected fiscal year funding (e.g., FY25 by December 18, 2024; FY26 by September 1, 2025, etc.). There are no set-aside requirements specified in the notice. The BAA is open to a broad range of entities, including academic institutions, industry, and non-traditional defense contractors. The government reserves the right to make zero, one, or multiple awards, and there is no limit on the number of OTs that may be awarded to an individual offeror. **Additional Information** - Offerors are encouraged to monitor the SAM.gov website for amendments and updates. - Pre-proposal communications with government representatives are encouraged for both technical and contracting questions; however, only contracting officers are authorized to commit the government. - The BAA has undergone several amendments, including updates to program management contacts, financial resource requirements, FASCSA compliance language, and other administrative provisions. Offerors should review all attachments and amendments for the most current requirements. **Conclusion** This BAA represents a significant opportunity for organizations with expertise in trusted systems, hardware and software security, and advanced C4I/cyber technologies to contribute to the Air Force’s mission. The scope, funding, and flexible award instruments make it suitable for a wide range of research and development efforts. Interested parties should carefully review the full announcement and amendments, adhere to submission guidelines, and direct any questions to the designated contacts. For full details and attachments, visit the official SAM.gov opportunity page: [https://sam.gov/opp/66ef722a26be400b9de90d6fa79a538d/view](https://sam.gov/opp/66ef722a26be400b9de90d6fa79a538d/view).