AFRL to host hybrid Briefing For Industry day
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFRL) – The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, Directed Energy Directorate will host a hybrid Briefing for Industry, or BFI, for the Directed Energy Technology Experimentation Research, or DETER, and TACTICAL acquisition contracts Oct. 19, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.
“The overarching goal [of this industry day] is to increase communication with our partners in industry and academia,” said Bill Sherrod, AFRL contracting officer. “We want to increase understanding both ways. On the government side we want to know what the capabilities are, what are the challenges and hurdles are that our partners are seeing. We also want to relay to them where our strategic direction is going.”
Since the inception of BFI in 2021, this industry day was offered online in a virtual capacity only. This year, participants have the option to come to Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, to experience the briefing in person. The first half of the day will cover the DETER program and TACTICAL will be covered in the afternoon. TACTICAL is a new Broad Agency Announcement that will provide innovative solutions and research and development for Directed Energy laser sources, Aero-effects and Beam Control, laser system technologies, integration and demonstration, laser system modeling and simulation, laser interaction testing and modeling and laser vulnerability assessments. TACTICAL also provides solutions for space domain awareness, High Power Electro Magnetics/Microwaves (HPEM) modeling and effects, HPEM sources and components and applications and wargaming efforts.
“It’s very different when we’re able to be more agile and try to get contracts awarded faster to help with what we need in our research and development,” said Marcella Cantu, DETER program manager. “We’re able to be flexible and award different types of contracts for unique situations.”
To date, the DETER program has awarded approximately $250 million to various partners who have helped accelerate warfighter capabilities with next-generation technologies, innovative solutions and advanced research development concepts for directed energy investments.
Visit this link for more information and to register by Oct. 6, 2023: https://sam.gov/opp/b0e5d83eb829416da68a57329cf8f5f0/view
About AFRL
The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 12,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit www.afresearchlab.com.