Multi-Spectral Sensing Technologies Research and Development (MUSTER)

Federal · Air Force Research Laboratory, Sensors Directorate, Optical and Radio Frequency and Detection Division (AFRL/RYM)Due Wednesday, January 20, 2027

Client: Air Force Research Laboratory, Sensors Directorate, Optical and Radio Frequency and Detection Division (AFRL/RYM)
Solicitation No.: —
Posted: 5/21/2026
Category: Data Research and Analytics
Budget: Looking for Proposal
NAICS: 541715
Set-aside: —
Contact: Jamie Jones-Brooks
Email: jamie.jones-brooks@us.af.mil

Description

AI Generated

The government authority in Ohio is seeking research and development services focused on multi-spectral sensing technologies. The agency requires expertise in multiband multifunction radio frequency sensing, laser radar technology, and passive radio frequency sensing. The project also covers distributed radio frequency sensing and electro-optical target detection and surveillance. Eligibility is restricted to onshore entities located within the United States. The agency requires all work performance to occur onsite at the designated government location. The authority is requesting proposals to determine the budget and cost structure for these services. Bidders must submit their responses digitally via email or through the specified online portal. No specific deadline or evaluation weights are provided in the current notice.

Key solicitation details

AI-extracted from MuSTeR_BAA+Solicitation+2-Step+Amendment+5.pdf, MuSTeR_BAA Solicitation 2-Step Amendment 5.pdf, Attachment+11+-+SOW-Supplemental+Requirements_20+May+2026.pdf. Confirm against the original documents before bidding.

The Air Force Research Laboratory is soliciting white papers and proposals for basic and applied research, advanced technology development, and test and evaluation of aerospace electro-optical and radio frequency sensor technologies. The overall effort has a total program value of $250,000,000 with multiple awards anticipated ranging from $100,000 to $10,000,000. Participation is open to onshore US entities and small business concerns.

Issued by: Air Force Research Laboratory, Sensors Directorate, Optical and Radio Frequency and Detection Division (AFRL/RYM)
White Paper Due Date: 20 January 2027 by 1700 Wright-Patterson AFB, OH local time
Proposal Due Date: To be provided in the Requests for Proposals sent to offerors that submit White Papers considered to meet the needs of the Air Force
How to submit: Electronic via Email or Online, or hard copy
Submission details: White papers are limited to 6 double-spaced pages in Microsoft Word format, 10-point Arial font, and submitted to the Contracting POC. Hard copy proposals require 1 original, 3 copies, and 2 identical CDs.
Contract term: 12-48 month Period of Performance per individual award; 60 months Period of Performance for overall effort
Estimated value: $250,000,000 total program value, with multiple awards ranging from $100,000 to $10,000,000
Place of performance: AFRL facilities at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), OH or at appropriate contractor facilities
Funding: CFDA 12.800 AIR FORCE DEFENSE RESEARCH SCIENCES PROGRAM

How proposals are evaluated

Technical Aspect	First order of priority
Cost/Price	Substantial factor, ranked second

Scope of work

Multiband Multifunction Array Development
Fully Adaptive Radar
Advanced Digital Multifunction Arrays
Laser Radar Imaging, Systems, Components, and Applications
Passive Radio Frequency Sensing
Waveform Phenomenology, Design and Applications
Sensor Information Processing and Integration
Passive Electro-optic and Infrared Sensor Technology

Minimum qualifications

Accounting system considered adequate for tracking costs for cost reimbursement contracts
SECRET facility clearance and SECRET safeguarding capability if required by DD254
Certified DD Form 2345 Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement for export-controlled work
Active registration in System for Award Management (SAM.gov)
Contractor personnel requiring base and network access must be U.S. citizens

Documents to include with the bid

White Paper
Technical/Management Proposal
Cost/Business Proposal
Statement of Work (SOW)
Certifications and Representations (Section K)
DFARS 252.215-7009 Proposal Adequacy Checklist
Certified DD Form 2345
Small Business Subcontracting Plan for large businesses
Three years of TCIR/DART data and OSHA Form 300A
SF 424 (R&R) for assistance instrument proposals

Official SAM.gov notice

Solicitation number: FA8650-21-S-1180
Agency: Department of Defense
Buying office: Dept of the AIR Force › FA8650 Usaf Afmc Afrl PZL Afrl/PZL
Notice type: Solicitation
Responses due: Jan 20, 2027, 5:00 PM ET
Posted on SAM.gov: May 20, 2026
NAICS: 541715 · Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/service code: AC12
Contracting contact: Jamie Jones-Brooks
jamie.jones-brooks@us.af.mil
385-634-5319
Additional contact: Travis White
travis.white.17@us.af.mil
385-636-2352

Read the official notice description

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Multispectral Sensing and Detection Division (RYM) in the Sensors Directorate conducts basic and applied research, advanced technology development, as well as test and evaluation to meet U.S. Air Force (USAF) aerospace electro-optical (EO) and radio frequency (RF) sensor needs for air, space and C2 sensor systems. AFRL/RYM conducts programs in modeling, simulation, research, design, test and evaluation of RF and EO subsystems and sensors for use in offensive, defensive and integrated offensive/defensive systems. AFRL/RYM ensures unequaled persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; time sensitive targeting; and battlespace access capabilities for America’s air and space forces by developing, demonstrating and transitioning advanced RF and EO sensors. AFRL/RYM is soliciting innovative research proposals in the following Thirteen (13) research areas. Amendment 2 - Updates the Technical and Contracting Points of Contact Amendment 3 - Updates the Technical and Contracting Points of Contact Attachment 4 - Updates Contract Information and URLs and Contracting Points of Contact

Source: SAM.gov contract opportunities data (U.S. federal public data).

Incumbent

Likely prior awards for this requirement

Likely match

Awarded by the same buying office (FA8650) with descriptions matching "multi spectral". The notice does not name its current contract, so confirm before relying on it.

Vendor and award	Value	Ends
MATRIX RESEARCH INCFA865023C1067 · MULTI-SPECTRAL SENSING TECHNOLOGIES RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT 3-IN-1	$11.6M	Nov 23, 2026
NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONFA865021C1161 · MULTI-SPECTRAL LASER DEVELOPMENT	$6.7M	Dec 31, 2025
CACI INC - FEDERALFA865021C1160 · MULTI-SPECTRAL LASER DEVELOPMENT	$5.6M	Apr 15, 2025

Market context

Awards in the same category (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)). This is not this requirement's award history.

Top vendors in this category: Department of Defense, NAICS 541715, since Oct 1, 2023

28,732 contract awards in this NAICS over the period.

1. LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION$7.1B
2. FLUOR MARINE PROPULSION, LLC$5.8B
3. LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP$5.7B
4. THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC$4.0B
5. THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION$3.3B

Source: USAspending.gov federal award data (U.S. federal public data). A contract is called the incumbent only when the notice or its documents cite it by number.

Verify important details

Document check

Confirm submission instructions and amendments with the issuing agency before responding.

31 available filesDocuments checked May 22, 2026

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