AFRL/RD Tactical Broad Agency Announcement

AFRL/RD Tactical BAA

Funds directed energy development from early concept through advanced demonstration in defense applications.

The AFRL Directed Energy Directorate Tactical Broad Agency Announcement (FA9451-24-S-0001) is a FAR-based solicitation supporting basic through advanced technology development research — spanning 6.1 basic research through 6.4 advanced development — in directed energy. The ceiling amount is $499,000,000, and the solicitation remains open through 22 November 2028. This BAA runs in parallel with the DETER ARA (FA9451-21-S-0001), which uses Other Transaction authority; the Tactical BAA is the FAR-based complement for performers who require or prefer standard federal acquisition contract vehicles with conventional DFARS intellectual property terms.

Eligible performers include for-profit companies, universities, non-profit research organizations, and other research entities registered in SAM.gov. The directed energy scope encompasses high-energy lasers, high-power microwave systems, and related enabling technologies across the full development spectrum from scientific inquiry to advanced prototyping. Individual investigators without an institutional affiliation are not eligible to receive prime awards. Security classification requirements apply to most topics in directed energy, so applicants should confirm facility clearance before responding.

The five-year ceiling of $499 million reflects the directorate's sustained investment appetite in directed energy through the end of FY28. Organizations seeking FAR-based contracts — rather than OT instruments — for directed energy 6.1 through 6.4 work should obtain the full solicitation document from SAM.gov opportunity FA9451-24-S-0001, review the statement of work requirements for the specific technology area of interest, and engage AFRL/RD program officers through permitted pre-submission interactions before preparing a formal proposal.