Sources Sought - Organizations with University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) Capabilities for Electronic Warfare/Electromagnetic Spectrum (EW/EMS) Superiority Research and Development

Active

Contract Opportunity

OVERVIEW

AFLCMC/HBYA is conducting market research to identify potential sources capable of providing engineering, research, development, modeling and simulation analysis, and test and evaluation documentation in the area of Electronic Warfare/Electromagnetic Spectrum (EW/EMS) superiority within a capabilities-based system of systems context. The Government seeks organizations with capabilities similar to University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), specifically those with expertise comparable to the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL).

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY for market research and planning purposes. This is not a solicitation for proposals, quotes, or other offers. No contract will be awarded based on responses to this notice, and the Government will not pay for information provided in response to this sources sought notice.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The purpose of the anticipated acquisition is to obtain essential engineering, research, development, modeling and simulation analysis, and test and evaluation documentation in the area of EW/EMS superiority in a capabilities-based system of systems context. The Government requires independent analyses of next generation technology with insight into the full breadth of Navy, Air Force, and DoD investments in Electronic Warfare. Must have expertise in providing integrated analytical framework for building the next generation of electronic attack (EA) (both defensive and offensive EA) platforms and architectures.

These research products are vital to enabling U.S. dominance within electronic warfare (EW) through a full range of scenarios in which U.S. forces are expected to conduct operations. The continuation of this research capability is essential to maintaining U.S. EW/EMS superiority by providing the necessary unbiased and independent engineering, research, development, modeling and simulation analysis, and test and evaluation products.

CORE TECHNICAL FOCUS AREAS

Organizations responding to this sources sought should demonstrate expertise in all of the following EW/EMS-specific areas:

Electronic Warfare/Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations:

• Electronic Attack (EA – defensive and offensive) systems and architectures


• Electronic Protection (EP) technologies and methodologies


• Electronic Warfare Support (ES) capabilities


• Electromagnetic spectrum management and control


• Cognitive electronic warfare systems


• Multi-domain EW operations integration

Advanced EW Technologies:

• RF and microwave systems design and analysis


• Software-defined radio (SDR) and adaptive waveform technologies


• Machine learning and artificial intelligence applications in EW


• Advanced signal processing and exploitation


• Detection/identification/location of unintentional emissions


• Directed energy weapons integration with EW systems


• Quantum technologies for EW applications

System of Systems Integration:

• Platform-agnostic EW architectures


• Cross-domain solution integration


• Joint and coalition EW interoperability


• EW effects coordination across multiple platforms


• Network-centric EW operations


• EW integration with cyber and information operations

Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis:

• High-fidelity electromagnetic environment modeling


• EW effectiveness assessment methodologies


• Threat system modeling and simulation


• Campaign-level EW analysis


• Vulnerability and survivability assessments


• Cost-effectiveness analysis for EW investments

REQUIRED CAPABILITIES

Organizations responding to this sources sought should demonstrate all of the following capabilities:

Core Research & Development Capabilities:

• Independent and unbiased research analysis


• Systems engineering for complex EW systems


• Advanced prototyping and technology demonstration


• Modeling and simulation of electromagnetic environments


• Technology transition from research to operational deployment


• Test and evaluation methodologies for EW systems


• Technical advisory services to Navy and DoD agencies

Specialized EW Infrastructure and Facilities:

• Anechoic chambers and RF testing facilities


• Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing capabilities


• Software-defined radio development environments


• Secure facilities for classified EW research (up to TS/SCI)


• High-performance computing for large-scale electromagnetic simulations


• Over-the-air testing ranges and controlled electromagnetic environments


• Electronic warfare simulation and emulation capabilities

Personnel and Expertise:

• Ph.D.-level scientists and engineers with EW/RF specializations


• Cleared personnel capable of working on classified EW programs


• Multidisciplinary teams spanning electrical engineering, computer science, mathematics, and physics


• Experience with Navy and DoD EW program requirements


• Understanding of operational EW employment concepts and doctrine

Organizational Characteristics:

• Demonstrated independence and absence of conflicts of interest


• Non-profit or academic affiliation strongly preferred


• Proven ability to provide unbiased technical assessments


• Strong intellectual property management for sensitive EW technologies


• Compliance with federal research regulations and ITAR requirements


• Established relationships with Navy and DoD EW communities

BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Navy and DoD EW Investment Utilization:

• Experience leveraging existing Navy and DoD EW research investments


• Familiarity with current and planned EW systems and architectures


• Understanding of Navy Electronic Warfare Program requirements


• Knowledge of DoD EW strategy and implementation guidance


• Experience with Joint EW operations and requirements

Electronic Attack Platform Development:

• Next-generation EA platform architecture development


• Integration of EA capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains


• Advanced EA waveform development and optimization


• EA platform effectiveness assessment and optimization


• Collaborative engagement capability development

System of Systems Analysis:

• Capabilities-based assessment methodologies


• Joint force EW integration analysis


• Multi-platform EW coordination and control


• EW effects assessment across complex operational scenarios


• Interoperability analysis for coalition EW operations

INFORMATION REQUESTED

Interested organizations should provide the following information:

1. Organization Overview:

• Legal name, address, and organizational structure


• Tax-exempt status and university affiliations


• UARC designation or equivalent research center status


• Years of EW/EMS-related research experience


• Annual research volume in EW-related areas


• Security facility clearance level (FCL)

2. EW/EMS Technical Capabilities:

• Detailed description of EW/EMS research areas and expertise


• Specialized EW facility descriptions and capabilities


• Experience with Navy and DoD EW programs and investments


• Electronic attack platform development experience


• System of systems integration capabilities


• Modeling and simulation tools and methodologies for EW applications

3. Relevant Past Performance:

• Major Navy and DoD EW contracts or research agreements (last 5 years)


• Key agency customers in the EW community


• Examples of successful EW technology development and transition


• Independent analysis products delivered to Air Force/Navy/DoD EW programs


• Contributions to next-generation EA platform development


• Publications and patents in EW/EMS fields

4. Personnel and Resources:

• Number of Ph.D. scientists and engineers with EW/RF expertise


• Security cleared personnel statistics (Secret, TS, TS/SCI)


• Key personnel qualifications in EW-related fields


• Relationships with academic EW research community


• Access to Navy and DoD EW operational expertise

5. Independence and Objectivity:

• Organizational conflict of interest (OCI) policies and assessments


• Commercial EW industry relationships and potential conflicts


• Measures to ensure independence and objectivity in EW analysis


• Policies for managing proprietary and classified EW information


• Ethics and conflict of interest management procedures

6. Business Information:

• DUNS number and CAGE code


• SAM registration status and expiration date


• Socioeconomic status and certifications


• Facility Security Clearance (FSC) level and expiration


• ITAR registration and compliance procedures

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Response Deadline: 15 August 2025

Page Limit: Maximum 20 pages (excluding cover page and appendices)

Format: Electronic submission preferred via email to clinton.honkonen@us.af.mil

Subject Line: "Sources Sought Response - EW/EMS UARC Capabilities – AFLCMC/HBYA"

Security Classification: UNCLASSIFIED responses only

Contact Information: Primary Point of Contact: Clinton Honkonen, Contract Specialist

Email: clinton.honkonen@us.af.mil

Phone: 937-713-2661

Secondary Contact: James Bachinsky, james.bachinsky.1@us.af.mil

DISCLAIMER AND NOTES

• This sources sought does not constitute a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or award a contract


• The Government reserves the right to use information provided for market research purposes


• Responses may be used to develop acquisition strategies for EW/EMS research requirements


• Organizations may be contacted for follow-up discussions regarding EW capabilities


• Proprietary information should be clearly marked; however, the Government cannot guarantee protection of proprietary information


• Small businesses with relevant EW/EMS capabilities are encouraged to respond


• Responses will be evaluated for technical capability, independence, and ability to support Air Force/DoD EW superiority objectives

EVALUATION CONSIDERATIONS

The Government will consider the following factors when reviewing responses:

• Demonstrated expertise in EW/EMS research and development


• Ability to provide independent and unbiased analysis


• Experience with Navy and DoD EW programs and investments


• Capability to support next-generation EA platform development


• Facilities and personnel suitable for classified EW research


• Understanding of capabilities-based system of systems approaches


• Absence of organizational conflicts of interest in EW domain

FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS

Based on responses received, the Government may:

• Conduct follow-up discussions with selected organizations regarding EW capabilities


• Issue a formal solicitation for EW/EMS research services


• Explore partnership opportunities for EW research collaboration


• Utilize existing contract vehicles for EW-related requirements


• Request additional information or capability demonstrations

Respondents to this sources sought may receive notification of any resulting EW/EMS-related solicitation opportunities.

Posted Date: 01 August 2025

Response Deadline: 15 August 2025

Posted By: LAIRCM AFLCMC/HBYK

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