ONHS Report: FA8650-20-S-1119

Multi-Spectrum Defensive Electronic Warfare (MSDEW) Advanced Research Announcement (ARA)

Solicitation ID: FA8650-20-S-1119

Agency: AFRL/RYW

Type: Presolicitation

Deadline: 2027-07-13T17:00:00 ET

Eligibility: Maybe (Dual Approval Required)

Funding: Total estimated program value is $396,600,000, with multiple awards ranging from $20,000,000 to $100,000,000. Funding is to be determined per individual call.

Doc Type: BAA/IDIQ

Clearance: Top Secret

Program Manager: robert.desonia@us.af.mil

Last Updated: 2025-11-24 13:22

Analyzed File: 20S1119_MSDEW_ARA_Solicitation_Announcement_Updated_Apr2025.pdf

Eligibility Reasoning

The FFRDC’s sponsoring agency must first make a determination that the effort being proposed falls within the purpose, mission, general scope of effort, or special competency of the FFRDC... In addition, AFRL must make a determination that the work proposed would not place the FFRDC in direct competition with domestic private industry.

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

Summary

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has issued the Multi-Spectrum Defensive Electronic Warfare (MSDEW) Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) (FA8650-20-S-1119), which will solicit proposals through individual "Calls" until July 13, 2027. The program, with a total estimated value of $396.6M, aims to advance the Air Force's electronic warfare capabilities by developing, integrating, and demonstrating multi-spectrum sensors, systems, and technologies for threat warning and countermeasures in contested environments. The technical scope focuses on leveraging signal sensor technologies across the radio-frequency and electro-optical spectrums. Key technical areas of interest include: Electro-Optic/Multi-Spectrum Countermeasures, Counter-Directed Energy Weapon sensors, Counter-Missile Threat Warning sensors, and Cyber Secure/Open EW Systems. Activities will encompass design, modeling, simulation, integration, testing (laboratory, field, and flight), and software development. Multiple awards are anticipated, with potential contract types including Cost-Reimbursement, IDIQ, and Other Transactions. Most awards are expected to require Top Secret security classification.

Overall Technical Areas

Electronic Warfare SystemsMulti-Spectrum Sensor FusionSignal Sensing and TrackingElectro-Optical CountermeasuresDirected Energy Weapon DefenseMissile Warning SystemsModeling and Simulation (M&S)Open Systems ArchitectureCyber-Secure System DesignSensor System IntegrationSignal Processing AlgorithmsSystem Testing and EvaluationFederated EW Bus TechnologyModels-Based Systems Engineering

Probable LBNL Areas

BSACSAEESAETALDPSA

Focus Areas

Example Priorities:

Focuses on the development of threat knowledge, threat assessment and real-time threat detection through signal sensing and tracking technology for CM-response engagements.
Design improved EO/MS CM response technologies and techniques including expendables, directed laser, and effectiveness assessments to support future Air Force requirements.
Focuses on design and development of laser warning, resiliency system integration, multi-spectrum threat simulation, multiple threat simulation, as well as enhanced testing and evaluation techniques.
Focuses on design, development and demonstration of prototype advanced integrated missile warning systems while also advancing electro-optic test and developmental risk reduction methodologies.
Transition effective EW techniques, systems and countermeasures for current and future threats including those utilizing multi-spectrum sensor fusion.

Specific Technical Skills:

Electro-Optical (EO) SensingSignal Sensing & TrackingElectronic Warfare (EW)Countermeasure DevelopmentDirected Energy Weapons (DEW)Laser Warning SystemsMissile Warning SystemsThreat AssessmentReal-time Threat DetectionSensor Fusion

Potential PIs for this Area:

Name	Score	Organization
Shawn Tornga	0.71	LD \| LD \| ONHS
Marco Salathe	0.69	PSA \| NSD \| ANP
Qiang Du	0.69	PSA \| Engineering \| Electronic Engineering
Linqing Luo	0.68	EESA \| EG \| Geophysics Dept
Reynold Cooper	0.68	PSA \| NSD \| ANP
Jayson Vavrek	0.68	PSA \| NSD \| ANP
Zhao Hao	0.68	EESA \| EG \| Geochemistry Dept
Nicolas Abgrall	0.68	PSA \| NSD \| ANP
Andre Santos	0.68	EESA \| CESD \| Integrated Ecosystem Sciences
Alexander Sim	0.68	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Research

Example Priorities:

Focuses on the design and development of EW systems that are cyber secure and trusted with emphasis on open systems to improve ease of integration of multiple sensor systems.
Research and refine integrated sensor systems architecture, including open architecture, adaptable interfaces, and system component technologies to determine the optimal architecture for systems of sensor systems.
Develop and assess both software and hardware interfaces for sensor systems and find new ways to integrate internal and external to aircraft using podded and non-traditional solutions.
Research and perform experiments on integration methodologies involved with systems of sensor systems technologies to garner a better understanding on best practices and evaluation of performance profiles.

Specific Technical Skills:

Systems ArchitectureOpen Systems ArchitectureCybersecurityHardware/Software InterfacesSensor IntegrationSystems of Systems EngineeringPodded Systems IntegrationModels-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)Adaptable InterfacesDigital Thread

Potential PIs for this Area:

Name	Score	Organization
Mary Ann Piette	0.69	LD \| LD \| Energy Technologies
Stefan Lasiewski	0.69	CSA \| NERSC \| HPC Technology Department
Michael Wetter	0.69	ETA \| Building Technology & Urban Systems \| Bldg Technologies Dept
Jessica Granderson	0.69	ETA \| Building Technology & Urban Systems
Jennifer Stokes-Draut	0.69	ETA \| Energy Analysis & Environmental Impacts \| Sustainable Energy Dept
Tae Hwan Lim	0.69	ETA \| Energy Analysis & Environmental Impacts \| Sustainable Energy Dept
Shawn Tornga	0.69	LD \| LD \| ONHS
David Blum	0.69	ETA \| Building Technology & Urban Systems \| Bldg Technologies Dept
Marco Pritoni	0.68	ETA \| Building Technology & Urban Systems \| Bldg Technologies Dept
Samuel Williams	0.68	CSA \| AMCR \| Computer Science

Example Priorities:

Demonstrate and assess integrated EW, threat warning and countermeasures signal sensor systems in operationally relevant environments, both through laboratory simulation and real-world flight and/or field testing.
Model, simulate and analyze to facilitate the above.
The contractor shall capture technology/test requirements for laboratory and ground demonstrations, tests, or exercises.
The contractor shall coordinate flight and/or field operations and specific test approvals with proper officials.
Enhance testing and evaluation techniques to support systems engineering design for developmental testing and facilitation of transition to operational use.

Specific Technical Skills:

Modeling, Simulation & Analysis (MS&A)Test & Evaluation (T&E)Laboratory TestingFlight TestingField TestingSystem Integration Laboratory (SIL)Test PlanningAirworthiness CertificationData Collection & AnalysisOperational Environment Simulation

Potential PIs for this Area:

Name	Score	Organization
Shawn Tornga	0.68	LD \| LD \| ONHS
Brennan Less	0.68	ETA \| Building Technology & Urban Systems \| Whole Building Sys Dept
Ana Comesana	0.68	ETA \| Building Technology & Urban Systems \| Bldg & Industrial App Dpt
Alexandre Moreira da Silva	0.68	ETA \| ESDR \| Energy Storage & Dist Dpt
Marco Pritoni	0.67	ETA \| Building Technology & Urban Systems \| Bldg Technologies Dept
Gregory Lemieux	0.67	EESA \| CESD \| Earth System Sciences
Travis Walter	0.67	ETA \| Building Technology & Urban Systems \| Whole Building Sys Dept
Mary Ann Piette	0.67	LD \| LD \| Energy Technologies
Peng Peng	0.67	ETA \| Energy Analysis & Environmental Impacts \| Sustainable Energy Dept
Michael Sohn	0.67	ETA \| Energy Analysis & Environmental Impacts \| Sustainable Energy Dept

Example Priorities:

Develop optimized processing for sensor systems and algorithms.
Software development may include (but is not limited to) software of image & signal processing algorithms, software interfaces, data processing, modeling and simulation.
Integrate multiple combinations of advanced signal sensors, processing, and exploitation capabilities focused on electronic warfare (EW), threat warning and countermeasures onto various weapon systems.
Perform system maturation and transition activities to include developing software updates and maintenance for integration into operational systems.

Specific Technical Skills:

Signal Processing AlgorithmsImage Processing AlgorithmsAlgorithm DevelopmentSensor FusionSoftware DevelopmentReal-time ProcessingData Processing & ExploitationAlgorithm OptimizationFirmware DevelopmentSystem Maturation & Transition

Potential PIs for this Area:

Name	Score	Organization
Nicola Falco	0.69	EESA \| CESD \| Integrated Ecosystem Sciences
Shawn Tornga	0.69	LD \| LD \| ONHS
Daniela Ushizima	0.68	CSA \| AMCR \| Applied Math & Computational Sciences Div Office
John Wu	0.68	CSA \| Scientific Networking (ESNET) \| Tech Adv and Engagement
Zhe Bai	0.68	CSA \| AMCR \| Computer Science
Hasita Veluri	0.68	CSA \| AMCR \| Computer Science
Jean Luca Bez	0.68	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Research
Gazi Mahmud	0.68	BSA \| Environmental Genomics & Systems Biology \| Molecular Ecosystems Bio
Gregory Lemieux	0.68	EESA \| CESD \| Earth System Sciences
Marco Salathe	0.68	PSA \| NSD \| ANP

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
Victor Negut	0.74	PSA \| NSD \| ANP · Multi-Spectrum Sensor Fusion
Tiffany Connors	0.74	CSA \| NERSC \| Data Center Department · Cyber-Secure System Design
Koushik Sen	0.74	CSA \| AMCR \| Computer Science · System Testing and Evaluation
Cory Snavely	0.74	CSA \| NERSC \| HPC Technology Department · Open Systems Architecture
Alexandre Bayen	0.74	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Systems & Energy Tech Analysis · Electronic Warfare Systems
Zachary Needell	0.73	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Systems & Energy Tech Analysis · Modeling and Simulation (M&S)
Bruce Nordman	0.73	ETA \| Building Tech. & Urban Sys. \| Bldg Technologies Dept · Federated EW Bus Technology
Russell Wilcox	0.72	PSA \| Engineering \| Electronic Engineering · Directed Energy Weapon Defense
Prabal Dutta	0.72	ETA \| Building Tech. & Urban Sys. \| Bldg Technologies Dept · Signal Sensing and Tracking
Gregory Lemieux	0.72	EESA \| CESD \| Earth System Sciences · Models-Based Systems Engineering

Fundamental Research Exemption (FRE)

d. Export Control: Information involved in this effort may be subject to Export Control (International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) 22 CFR 120-131, or Export Administration Regulations (EAR) 15 CFR 710-774). If effort is subject to export control, then a Certified DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement, will be required to be submitted with proposal. b. Export Control: This acquisition may involve data that is subject to export control laws and regulations. This determination will be made on a case-by-case basis and identified in each call. If the data is determined to be subject to export control laws, only contractors who are registered and certified with the Defense Logistics Services Center (DLSC) and have a legitimate business purpose may participate in this solicitation. Contact the Defense Logistics Services Center, 74 Washington Avenue N., Battle Creek, Michigan 40917- 3084 (1-800-352-3572) for further information on the certification process. You must submit a copy of your approved DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement, with your proposal, if applicable.