ONHS Report: FA2280-23-S-C001

AFWERX Challenge Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)

Solicitation ID: FA2280-23-S-C001

Agency: AFWERX

Type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation

Deadline: 2028-02-23T23:59:00 ET

Eligibility: Maybe (Topic Dependent)

Funding: N/A

Doc Type: CSO

Clearance: No

Program Manager: N/A

Last Updated: 2025-11-24 13:13

Analyzed File: 07.29.2025 Expedient Basing Challenge Part 2.pdf

Eligibility Reasoning

Offerors whose solution submission and oral demonstration are evaluated and determined to hold sufficient technical merit will be invited to submit a full written proposal. Instructions and evaluation criteria will be provided in the Spiral 3 Request for Commercial Solution Proposal.

Note: This is an AI-generated summary...

Summary

The United States Air Force (USAF), via this AFWERX Challenge Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO), seeks innovative solutions for "Expedient Basing" to support the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept. The goal is to rapidly establish and sustain distributed military operations in austere environments, reducing setup times from months to days. The challenge is divided into two primary focus areas: 1) Base Infrastructure, which includes modular and scalable electrical systems (power generation, storage, microgrids), mechanical systems (HVAC, water, fuel), advanced construction methods (3D printing, autonomous equipment), camouflage/concealment, and environmental protection; and 2) Integrated Base Security, Response & Recovery, which covers explosive hazard mitigation, airfield damage repair (ADR), rapid damage assessment, and base defense technologies like counter-UAS and secure mesh networking. The solicitation follows a three-spiral process: an initial written submission (Spiral 1), an oral demonstration for selected participants (Spiral 2), and a full proposal request (Spiral 3). The ultimate objective is to identify, fund, and rapidly prototype viable commercial technologies for potential operational use by the Department of Defense.

Overall Technical Areas

Mobile Power GenerationMicrogrid Energy DistributionWater and Waste Management SystemsAutonomous Construction and RepairAdvanced Construction MaterialsAI-driven Damage AssessmentMultispectral Concealment and DeceptionExpedient Asset HardeningRobotics for Hazard MitigationCounter-UAS and Directed EnergyDigital Twin for Asset ManagementSecure Mesh NetworkingAdvanced Surveillance SensorsAI and Edge Computing

Probable LBNL Areas

BSACSAEESAETALDPSA

Focus Areas

Example Priorities:

Efficient and reliable power generation and electrical distribution systems are essential in supporting operations in austere, remote and isolated locations.
HVAC systems, potable water storage and distribution, wastewater treatment and/or removal/disposal systems, and fuels storage/distribution systems are required for maintaining the operational capability and sustainability of bases in austere, remote and isolated environments.
In harsh environments and isolated locations, it is important to have adaptable and resilient construction methods that can quickly establish runways, roads, and facilities to support operations.
To enhance operational security and survivability, the USAF employs techniques that provide camouflage, concealment, deception, and hardening capabilities to confuse adversary tactics and protect against physical and digital/cyber-attacks for the protection of personnel, equipment, vehicles and aircraft.
Solutions that provide environmental protection in austere and isolated environments for humans, structures, equipment, vehicles, and aircraft ensuring the longevity and operational readiness of assets.

Specific Technical Skills:

Power Systems EngineeringRenewable Energy GenerationMicrogrid ManagementWater & Waste TreatmentAutonomous ConstructionRobotics3D PrintingAdvanced Materials ScienceSignature ReductionIoT Sensor Integration

Potential PIs for this Area:

Name	Score	Organization
Jennifer Stokes-Draut	0.71	ETA \| Energy Analysis & Environmental Impacts \| Sustainable Energy Dept
Mary Ann Piette	0.71	LD \| LD \| Energy Technologies
Douglas Black	0.71	ETA \| ESDR \| Energy Storage & Dist Dpt
David Blum	0.71	ETA \| Building Technology & Urban Systems \| Bldg Technologies Dept
Prakash Rao	0.71	ETA \| Building Technology & Urban Systems \| Bldg & Industrial App Dpt
Anand Krishnan Prakash	0.71	ETA \| Building Technology & Urban Systems \| Bldg Technologies Dept
Alex Newkirk	0.71	ETA \| Building Technology & Urban Systems \| Bldg & Industrial App Dpt
Unique Karki	0.71	ETA \| Building Technology & Urban Systems \| Bldg & Industrial App Dpt
Marco Pritoni	0.71	ETA \| Building Technology & Urban Systems \| Bldg Technologies Dept
Naïm Darghouth	0.71	ETA \| Energy Analysis & Environmental Impacts \| Energy Markets & Policy

Example Priorities:

Recovery efforts involve the remote mass mechanical clearance of ordnance, locating and accessing subsurface ordnance, and mitigation of explosive hazards so as to resume safe operations on the airfield.
The USAF prioritizes the rapid repair and restoration of critical facility and utility systems including power, water, and fuel systems.
Rapid assessment of airfield and air base infrastructure is essential to determine the extent of damage, in addition to identifying the minimum airfield operating strip (MAOS) required to restore operational capabilities.
When an airfield receives crater damages, rapid recovery efforts are required to return the airfield to operations.
The USAF employs measures to protect, secure, and defend the base. This includes countering small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS), ensuring shoreline security, and implementing physical security measures to safeguard personnel, assets, and operations.

Specific Technical Skills:

Robotics & sUAS OperationsAI/Machine LearningExplosive Hazard MitigationDigital Twin TechnologyAirfield Damage Repair (ADR)Counter-UAS SystemsResilient Mesh NetworkingCybersecurityDirected EnergyAutomated Logistics

Potential PIs for this Area:

Name	Score	Organization
Alex Newkirk	0.68	ETA \| Building Technology & Urban Systems \| Bldg & Industrial App Dpt
Emil Rofors	0.68	PSA \| NSD \| ANP
Shawn Tornga	0.67	LD \| LD \| ONHS
Anand Krishnan Prakash	0.67	ETA \| Building Technology & Urban Systems \| Bldg Technologies Dept
Donghun Kim	0.67	ETA \| Building Technology & Urban Systems \| Bldg Technologies Dept
Rohan Adwankar	0.67	BSA \| Biological Systems & Engineering \| Process Engr & Analytics
Andre Santos	0.67	EESA \| CESD \| Integrated Ecosystem Sciences
Cindy Zhu	0.67	ETA \| Building Technology & Urban Systems \| Whole Building Sys Dept
Oluwamayowa Amusat	0.67	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Applications
Jennifer Stokes-Draut	0.67	ETA \| Energy Analysis & Environmental Impacts \| Sustainable Energy Dept

Potential LBNL PIs (Overall)

Note on PI Matching: These suggestions are generated through an AI-driven semantic analysis of LBNL staff profiles.

Name	Score	Organization
Nicholas DeForest	0.77	ETA \| ESDR \| Energy Storage & Dist Dpt · Microgrid Energy Distribution
Franco Zunino	0.76	ESA \| MF \| MF NCEM Facility · Advanced Construction Materials
Daniel Arnold	0.75	ETA \| ESDR \| Energy Storage & Dist Dpt · Expedient Asset Hardening
Dipak Ghosal	0.75	CSA \| ESNET \| Tech Adv and Engagement · Secure Mesh Networking
Abigayle Hodson	0.75	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Systems & Energy Tech Analysis · Water and Waste Management Systems
Mamun Miah	0.74	EESA \| EG \| Geophysics Dept · AI-driven Damage Assessment
Victor Negut	0.74	PSA \| NSD \| ANP · Advanced Surveillance Sensors
Suren Byna	0.74	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Research · AI and Edge Computing
Samveg Saxena	0.73	ETA \| ESDR \| Energy Storage & Dist Dpt · Mobile Power Generation
Weiping Huang	0.73	ETA \| Building Tech. & Urban Sys. \| Bldg Technologies Dept · Digital Twin for Asset Management

Fundamental Research Exemption (FRE)

Not Mentioned