c. OUSD (R&E) Critical Technology Areas FutureG; Trusted AI and Autonomy; Biotechnology; Advanced Computing and Software; Integrated Sensing and Cyber; Directed Energy (DE); Hypersonics; Microelectronics; Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems; Quantum Science; Space Technology; Renewable Energy Generation and Storage; Advanced Materials; Human-Machine Interfaces; Advanced Infrastructure & Advanced Manufacturing; Combat Casualty Care; Emerging Threat Reduction; Military Infectious Diseases; Military Operational Medicine; Mission Readiness & Disaster Preparedness; Nuclear; Sustainment & Logistics d. International Trafficking in Arms (ITAR) Notice Proposed technologies may be restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) which control Defense-related materials/services import/export, or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), controlling dual-use items. Applicants must review the U.S. munitions List, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-121, and provide a tentative determination regarding applicability to their proposed efforts. If determined applicable, a certified DD Form 2345, Military Critical Technology Agreement, must be submitted with the proposal. Information regarding the application process and instructions for form completion are found at https://www.dla.mil/HQ/LogisticsOperations/Services/JCP/DD2345Instructions/. Export control compliance statements are not all-inclusive and do not remove applicants' liability to comply with applicable ITAR/EAR export control restrictions or 2) inform the Government of potential export restrictions as efforts proceed. e. Topic Objective This is a Department of the Air Force (DAF) Open Topic in partnership with AFWERX. This topic is seeking technologies for transition into the United States Air Force. Primary objectives of this topic include exploring innovative technologies applicable to both defense and non-defense markets, scaling capability, and growing the industrial base for defense. This topic is intended to reach companies capable of completing a feasibility study and prototype-validated concepts under accelerated Phase I and II schedules. This topic is aimed at applied research and development efforts rather than "front-end" or basic R/R&D. This CSO seeks innovative, commercial technologies proposed to create new Air Force solutions or potential new capabilities fulfilling requirements, closing capability gaps, or providing potential technological advancements. The CSO is seeking varying technical/scientific approaches and/or varying and new technologies for transition into the United States Air Force. This CSO may result in the award of prototype projects, which include not only commercially available technologies fueled by commercial or strategic investment, but also concept demonstrations, pilots, and agile development activities improving commercial technologies, existing Government-owned capabilities, or concepts for broad Defense application(s). The Government reserves the right to award a contract or an Other Transaction for any purpose, to include a prototype, under this CSO. This program solicitation is intended for informational purposes and reflects current planning. If there is any inconsistency between the information contained herein and the terms of any resulting SBIR/STTR Funding Agreement, the terms of the Funding Agreement are controlling. The United States Department of the Air Force has identified 7 Operational Imperatives: Space Order of Battle; Operationally Focused Air Battle Management Systems (ABMS); Moving Target Engagement; Tactical Air Dominance; Resilient Basing; Global Strike; Readiness to Deploy and Fight. These Operational Imperatives are the critical operational capabilities and functions the Department of the Air Force must invest in to protect the United States' ability to deter conflict and project power against pacing challenges. NOTE: The possibility exists for a solution to provide a strategic capability in an area other than the above-referenced Operational Imperatives. Therefore, if the applicant believes the proposed solution does not fit within one of the listed Operational Imperatives, reference "BLUE SKY", including an explanation of the solution's ability to provide increased strategic capability within the context of AF, national, and global constraints. As applicable, the applicant should address the category(ies) to which the solution aligns in the Technical Volume. Department of the Air Force Operational Imperatives: https://www.af.mil/Portals/1/documents/2023SAF/OPERATIONAL_IMPARITIVES_INFOGRAPHIC.pdf Multiple procurements are planned and anticipated to be awarded as a result of the topic, each proposal is considered a separate procurement and will be evaluated on its own merit, and the Government may award all, some, or none of the proposals. Any per-award or per-topic funding caps are budgetary estimates only, and more or less funding may become available. Funding decisions are made with complete disregard to the other awards under the same topic. The DAF reserves the right to award to all proposals it receives, some of the proposals it receives, or none of the proposals it receives. The Federal Government is not responsible for any monies expended by the applicant before award. The SBIR/STTR Programs are not substitutes for existing unsolicited proposal mechanisms. Unsolicited proposals are not accepted under the AF SBIR/STTR Programs for Phases I or II. This solicitation is not an offer by the federal Government and does not obligate the Government to make any specific number of awards. Awards under the SBIR/STTR program are contingent upon the availability of funds. f. Topic Description The DAF is a large and complex organization consisting of many functions, a vast majority of which have similar counterparts in the commercial sector. It is important that potential solutions have a high probability of keeping pace with technological change. Thus, they should be closely tied to commercial technologies and solutions supporting the proposed development. This topic is meant for non-defense commercial solutions to be adapted to meet Air Force stakeholders' needs. Submissions should focus on the following characteristics: 1. The potential for Government or private sector commercialization and benefits expected to accrue from commercialization. The SBC's record of commercializing SBIR/STTR or other research, as indicated by pre-sales, pilots, sales, revenue, active users, subscriptions, downloads, and/or other forms of traction/adoption. The size of the market and potential for revenue. The clarity of the SBC's business plan. The Existence of Phase II follow-on commitments for the subject research, and funding commitments related to the subject effort, whether from Government sources, as documented in a DAF Customer Memorandum, or private sources, as documented through a letter of commitment, are evidence of commercialization potential. 2. The Defense Need being fulfilled and ability of the proposal to impact that Defense Need. The appropriateness, relevance, and specificity of an identified Defense Need. While not required, signed letters of support from other Government personnel may be indicators of the appropriateness, relevance, and specificity of an identified Defense Need. Adequacy of the proposed effort and its relationship to fulfilling the identified Defense Need. The level of defense mission impact and urgency of the Defense Need. The breadth of applicability of the solution. 3. The clarity of the problem statement, technical approach, soundness, technical merit, and innovation of the proposed technical approach, its differentiation from current customer alternatives. Includes the proposed Principal Investigator's/Project Managers', supporting staff, and consultants' qualifications to execute the proposed approach. This topic is truly open' (agnostic of industry, technology, and problem area), but proposals for the topic should demonstrate a high probability of identifying a product-market fit between an Air Force stakeholder and the proposed adaptation of the non-defense commercial solution. g. Phase I Determine, insofar as possible, the scientific and technical merit and feasibility of ideas thought to have potential to transition to Air Force applications. Additionally, validate the product-market fit between the proposed solution and a potential Air Force stakeholder. Define a clear, immediately actionable plan with the proposed solution and the Air Force customer and end-user. This feasibility study should: 1. Clearly identify the potential stakeholders of the adapted solution for solving the Air Force need(s). 2. Describe the pathway to integrating the Air Force operations, to include how the applicant plans to accomplish core technology development, navigate applicable regulatory processes, and integrate with other relevant Air Force systems and/or processes. Describe if and how the solution can be used by other DoD or Government customers. h. Phase II Proposals should include development, installation, integration, demonstration and/or test and evaluation of the proposed solution prototype system. These activities should focus specifically on: 1. Evaluating the adapted solution against the proposed objectives and measurable key results. 2. Describing in detail how the installed solution differs from the non-defense commercial offering to solve the Air Force need(s), as well as how it can be scaled for wide adoption, i.e., modified for scale. 3. Identifying the proposed solution's clear transition path, taking into account input from affected stakeholders, including but not limited to, end users, engineering, sustainment, contracting, finance, legal, and cyber security. 4. Specifying the solution's integration with other current and potential future solutions. 5. Describing the solution's sustainability, i.e., supportability. Identifying other specific DoD or Governmental customers for the solution i. Phase III Dual-Use Applications Some solutions may go straight from Phase I to Phase III as soon as the product-market fit is verified. The contractor will transition the adapted non-Defense commercial solution to provide expanded mission capability for a broad range of potential Governmental and civilian users and alternate mission applications. j. Topic Notes To answer questions about this topic, AFWERX will host webinars discussing this opportunity. Details about these events will be published on https://afwerx.com/events/. DAF SBIR/STTR Phase I awards are FAR-based firm-fixed-price purchase orders. k. References 1. FitzGerald, B., Sander, A., & Parziale, J. (2016). Future Foundry: A New Strategic Approach to Military- Technical Advantage. Retrieved 16 January 2024, https://www.cnas.org/publications/reports/future-foundry . ; 2. Blank, S. (2016). The Mission Model Canvas: An Adapted Business Model Canvas for Mission-Driven Organizations. Retrieved 12 June 2018, https://steveblank.com/2016/02/23/the-mission-model-canvas-an-adapted-business-model-canvas-for-mission-driven ; 3. DoD 2024 National Defense Strategy of the United States Summary, 11. Retrieved from https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/fy24_ndaa_conference_executive_summary1.pdf ; 4. Chaplain, C. T. (2016). Space Acquisitions: Challenges Facing DOD as it Changes Approaches to Space Acquisitions. US Government Accountability Office Washington United States. Space Capstone Publication, Spacepower (SCP). (2020). l. Keywords Open; Other; Disruptive; Radical; Dual-Use; Commercial
