# Novel Approaches & Research for Warfighting That Hastens Artificial Learning (NARWHAL) RED Canonical: https://abierto.us/opportunities/rfirikd26rb001 - Solicitation number: RFI-RIKD-26-R-B001 - Notice type: Sources sought - Status: Closed. Deadline was September 18, 2025 at 12:00 PM EDT - Department: Department of the Air Force - Agency: Department of the Air Force - Contracting office: FA8750 AFRL Rik (FA8750) - NAICS: 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) - Product or service code: AC13 National Defense R&D Services; Department Of Defense - Military; Experimental Development - First posted: August 28, 2025 - Last posted: September 8, 2025 - SAM.gov: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/32b5a1e0e8914a949eaa69cbaeca699b/view ## Description AFRL/RIKD is conducting market research for a potential requirement. Please note this Request for Information (RFI) is for planning purposes only. The information obtained from responses to this notice may be used to form a future acquisition strategy and solicitation, should one be issued. The general scope for this potential effort is to develop, improve, and advance radio frequency (RF) spectral characterization and automated machine-to-machine signal processing capabilities for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) tactical and strategic warfighting forces. Please refer to the Special Notice, Attachment No. 2, Draft Statement of Work (SOW), for additional information. To fulfill this requirement, Contractor employees will need to obtain Common Access Cards (CACs), perform on Government facilities in the United States and other locations, and access up to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI). It is anticipated that only United States (US) citizens may perform under this effort. The Government is considering establishing one or more contracts / task orders / other transactions with an overall performance period of 5-7 years. Anticipated contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF). Anticipated funding types are Research Development Test & Evaluation, Procurement, and Operations & Maintenance. Please note that the contract type and duration are subject to change as the acquisition strategy is developed. All Responses shall be submitted via email to jacquelyn.cavano@us.af.mil and shelley.dormio@us.af.mil by 12PM (EST) THUR 18 Sep 2025. For submission of classified documents, please contact Jacquelyn Cavano, jacquelyn.cavano@us.af.mil. FOREIGN PARTICIPATION EXCLUDED. Foreign participation is excluded at the prime contractor level. OMBUDSMAN. In accordance with DAFFARS 5301.91, an Ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerers, potential offerers, and others for this acquisition. Before consulting with an Ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the Contracting Officer, Shelley Dormio, (315) 330-(2116), Shelley.Dormio@us.af.mil, for resolution. DAFFARS Clause 5352.201-9101 Ombudsman, will be incorporated into the resultant contract. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The existence of the Ombudsman does not affect the authority of the program manager, contracting officer, or source selection official. Further, the Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes. The Ombudsman may refer the party to another official who can resolve the concern. Consulting an Ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines for any other processes (e.g., agency level bid protests, GAO bid protests, requests for debriefings, employee-employer actions, contests of 0MB Circular A-76 competition performance decisions). If resolution cannot be made by the Contracting Officer, concerned parties may contact the following AFRL Ombudsman: AFRL/PK Technical Director; **Alternate Ombudsman:** AFRL/PK Deputy Director 1864 4th Street, WPAFB OH 45433; FAX (937) 656-7321; COM (937) 904-9700, afrl.pk.workflow@us.af.mil. Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the AFRL level, may be brought by the concerned party for further consideration to the Air Force Ombudsman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Contracting), SAF/AQC, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1060, phone number (571) 256-2395, facsimile number (571) 256-2431. The Ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency. Do not contact the Ombudsman to request copies of the solicitation, verify offer due date, or clarify technical requirements. Such inquiries shall be directed to the Contracting Officer. FOR FULL ANNOUNCEMENT DETAILS PLEASE SEE ATTACHMENTS. It is important to note that this Request for Information is not a Request for Proposal. No solicitation is being issued at this time. This notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. Any information provided to the Government as a result of this Request for Information is voluntary. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses or the Government’s use of such information. (END) ## Publications - August 28, 2025: Sources sought, due September 18, 2025 at 12:00 PM EDT. Notice 74a33d69c6994f70b3b4d8c749790910. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/74a33d69c6994f70b3b4d8c749790910/view - August 28, 2025: Sources sought, due September 18, 2025 at 12:00 PM EDT. Notice cfbfa413c9b84ad5837c1a25122f75dd. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/cfbfa413c9b84ad5837c1a25122f75dd/view - August 28, 2025: Sources sought, due September 18, 2025 at 12:00 PM EDT. Notice d86c8ac9fb734effb235bd62b1485b17. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/d86c8ac9fb734effb235bd62b1485b17/view - September 2, 2025: Sources sought, due September 18, 2025 at 12:00 PM EDT. Notice 710637f47916457280ca93dbb73c2b41. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/710637f47916457280ca93dbb73c2b41/view - September 8, 2025: Sources sought, due September 18, 2025 at 12:00 PM EDT. Notice 32b5a1e0e8914a949eaa69cbaeca699b. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/32b5a1e0e8914a949eaa69cbaeca699b/view ## Points of contact - jacquelyn cavano, jacquelyn.cavano@us.af.mil, 3153302185 - SHELLEY DORMIO, shelley.dormio@us.af.mil, 315-330-2116 --- Source: SAM.gov Contract Opportunities bulk extract. Confirm deadlines on SAM.gov before responding. Cite https://abierto.us/opportunities/rfirikd26rb001.