AFWERX Challenge Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)

The AFWERX Challenge Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) establishes a framework for engaging commercial developers and researchers in the Defense Department’s pursuit of advanced defense technologies. It serves as the foundational solicitation under which individual challenge calls are issued, outlining the expectations, procurement procedures, and contractual conditions that will apply to all subsequent calls. The CSO invites contributions across a spectrum of research and development initiatives that align with the Department of Defense and Air Force Research Laboratory’s priorities.

Specific challenges issued under the CSO include the Super Goggles Challenge, which seeks mixed‑reality eye‑worn solutions for aircraft crew; the Air to Air Refueling Mechanism (A2RM) Digital Design Challenge, which requires innovative digital design approaches for next‑generation refueling systems; the Expedient Basing and Expedient Basing Part 2 Challenges, focused on rapid deployment and infrastructure solutions for aircraft operations; the UAS Power Generation Challenge, which calls for effective power solutions for unmanned aircraft; and the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) Aviation Support Equipment Challenge, aimed at enhancing operational support equipment for agile combat employment missions. Each challenge is presented with detailed submission and evaluation criteria, ensuring that participants adhere to the specified technical and operational parameters.

All calls supersede earlier versions and reflect the latest updates to submission deadlines, non‑government personnel requirements, and the removal of Spiral 1 networking opportunities, where applicable. The deliverables must meet AFWERX Challenge evaluation criteria and comply with all relevant Department of Defense procurement regulations.

Contract Opportunity Type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (k)

Product Service Code: AC22-NATIONAL DEFENSE R&D SERVICES; ATOMIC ENERGY DEFENSE ACTIVITIES; APPLIED RESEARCH
NAICS Code:
541715-Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

This CSO is for the AFWERX Challenge Program.  Individual Calls against the CSO will be posted under this notice, as well as afwerxchallenge.com.

05/01/2024:  Updated Attachment for FA2280-23-S-C001 006 Super Goggles Challenge

• Updated Attachment "05.01.2024 Super Goggles Challenge" supersedes previously posted attachment.  This document updates the non-Government personnel and removes Spiral 1 Networking Opportunities.

03/12/2024:  FA2280-23-S-C001-006 Super Goggles Challenge

• This Call is issued under the CSO.  
• All details regarding submission and evaluation criterion are provided in the attached document titled "03.15.2024 Super Goggles Challenge"
• https://afwerxchallenge.com/emergingtechnology/mixed-reality-xr-super-goggle-challenge/overview

01/24/2024:  Updated Attachment for FA2280-23-S-C001 005 A2RM Design Challenge

• Updated Attachment "01.24.2024 A2RM Design Challenge Update" supersedes previously posted attachment.  Updates to the non-Government personnel provided in this update. 

11/29/2023:  Updated Attachment for FA2280-23-S-C001 005 A2RM Design Challenge

• Updated attachment "11.29.2023 A2RM Design Challenge Update 3" supersedes previously posted attachment titled “11-20-2023 A2RM Design Challenge Update.”  Please note the due date is extended to 01.04.2023.

11/21/2023:  Updated Attachments for FA2280-23-S-C001 005 A2RM Design Challenge

• Updated attachment “11-20-2023 A2RM Design Challenge Update2” supersedes previously posted attachments titled "11.06.2023 A2RM Design Challenge Update" and "10.23.2023 A2RM Design Challenge."

11/06/2023:  Updated Attachments for  FA2280-23-S-C001 005 A2RM Design Challenge

• Updated attachment "11.06.2023 A2RM Design Challenge Update" supersedes previously posted attachment titled "10.23.2023 A2RM Design Challenge." 

10/23/2023:   FA2280-23-S-C001-005  Air to Air Refueling Mechanism (A2RM) Digital Design Challenge

• This Call is issued under the CSO.  
• All details regarding submission and evaluation criterion are provided in the attached document titled "10.23.2023 A2RM Design Challenge"
• https://afwerxchallenge.com/air-to-airrefueling/air-to-air-refueling-mechanism-a2rm-digital-design-challenge/overview

07/20/2023:  Updated Attachment for FA2280-23-S-C001 002 Expedient Basing Challenge

• Updated attachment "07.20.2023 Expedient Basing Challenge" supersedes previously posted attachment titled "06.22.2023 Expedient Basing Challenge."  Updates in document contained in Government Contracting Terms and Conditions.  

07/19/2023:  Updated Attachments for FA2280-23-S-C001 CSO and FA2280-23-S-C001 003 UAS Power Generation Challenge

• Updated attachment "AFWERX Challenges CSO FINAL 07.19.2023" supersedes previously posted attachment titled "AFWERX Challenges CSO FINAL 02.24.2023."  Updates in document contained in Sections 5.5.5.1 and 5.8.
• Updated attachment "07.19.2023 UAS Power Generation Challenge" supersedes previously posted attachment titled "06.01.2023 UAS Power Generation Challenge."  Updates in document contained in Government Contracting Terms and Conditions.  

07/11/2023:  FA2280-23-S-C001-004  Expedient Basing Part 2 Challenge

• This Call is issued under the CSO.  
• All details regarding submission and evaluation criterion are provided in the attached document titled "07.11.2023 Expedient Basing Challenge Part 2"
• https://afwerxchallenge.com/expedientbasing/expedient-basing-challenge-focus-areas-4-5/overview

06/22/2023:  Updated attachment for FA2280-23-S-C001 002 Expedient Basing Challenge

• Updated attachment "06.22.2023 Expedient Basing Challenge" supersedes previously posted attachment titled  "05.30.2023 Expedient Basing Challenge" in order to update and extend the Spiral 1 submission due date.  

06/01/2023:  Updated attachment for FA2280-23-S-C001-003  UAS Power Generation Challenge

• Updated attachment "06.01.2023 UAS Power Generation Challenge" supersedes previously posted attachment titled "05.31.2023 UAS Power Generation Challenge."
• Website link updated to:  https://afwerxchallenge.com/uaspower/uas-power-challenge_265/overview

05/31/2023:  FA2280-23-S-C001-003  UAS Power Generation Challenge

• This Call is issued under the CSO.  
• All details regarding submission and evaluation criterion are provided in the attached document titled "05.31.2023 UAS Power Generation Challenge"
• http://www.afwerxchallenge.com/uaspower/uas-power-challenge/overview

05/30/2023:  Updated attachment provided for FA2280-23-S-C001-002  Expedient Basing Challenge

• Updated attachment document titled "05.30.2023 Expedient Basing Challenge.pdf" supersedes previously posted attachment titled "05.25.2023 Expedient Basing Challenge.pdf"

05/25/2023:  FA2280-23-S-C001-002  Expedient Basing Challenge

• This Call is issued under the CSO.  
• All details regarding submission and evaluation criterion are provided in the attached document titled "05.25.2023 Expedient Basing Challenge.pdf"
• https://afwerxchallenge.com/expedientbasing/expedient-basing-challenge/overview

02/27/2023:  FA2280-23-S-C001-001  Agile Combat Employment (ACE) Aviation Support Equipment Challenge

• This Call is issued under the CSO.  
• All details regarding submission and evaluation criterion are provided in the attached document titled "02.27.2023 ACE Common Aviation Support Equipment Challenge.pdf"
• https://afwerxchallenge.com/operationaleffectiveness/ace-common-aviation-support-challenge 

  

Notice ID: FA2280-23-S-C001

Additional buyer information

Department/Ind. Agency: DEPT OF DEFENSE
Sub-tier: DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE
Major Command: AIR FORCE MATERIEL COMMAND
Sub Command: AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY
Office: FA2280 AFRL RGK