# Neutron Strategic Technology Advanced Research (Neutron-STAR) Advanced Research Announcement (ARA)

Notice a8d15fd672a143fe872cd0852e349709 (solicitation FA9453-23-R-A004) from DEPT OF DEFENSE, FA9453  AFRL RJZ, posted 2023-05-10, responses due 2023-10-01T06:00:00.000Z. Status: open.

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Notice ID | a8d15fd672a143fe872cd0852e349709 |
| Solicitation number | FA9453-23-R-A004 |
| Type | Solicitation |
| Agency | DEPT OF DEFENSE |
| Sub-tier | DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE |
| Office | FA9453  AFRL RJZ |
| Posted | 2023-05-10T18:00:05.000Z |
| Response deadline (UTC) | 2023-10-01T06:00:00.000Z |
| Set-aside | - |
| NAICS | 541715 |
| PSC | AC33 |
| Place of performance | USA |
| Award | - |

## Description

NAICS Code: The NAICS Code for this acquisition is 541715 for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology). Federal Agency Name: Air Force Research Laboratory ARA Title: Neutron Strategic Technology Advanced Research (Neutron STAR) Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) ARA Type: This is an Open ARA; initial announcement SUBMISSION DATES ARE INDEFIINITE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE PROGRAM SUMMARY: This is an Open ARA announcement pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C. §4023 Procurement for Experimental Purposes. AFRL is interested in receiving white papers regarding nuclear-related research and development, including, but not limited to modeling and simulation of re-entry environments, materials characterization, nuclear explosion monitoring, and design, fabrication and experimentation of nuclear delivery. Dialogue between prospective Offerors and Government representatives is strongly encouraged. This solicitation intends to use the acquisition authority provided by 10 U.S.C. §4023. This authority applies to the acquisition of items related to “…ordnance, signal, chemical activity, transportation, energy, medical, spaceflight, and aeronautical supplies, including parts and accessories, and designs thereof, that are necessary for experimental or test purposes in the development of the best supplies that are needed for the national defense.” Consequently, white papers and proposals should address how the proposed effort provides benefits to the national defense relative to the parameters of this authority, and a strategy for verifying those intended benefits. *Please see the attached Neutron Star Industry User Guide for guidance on definitions, processes, submission requirements and evaluation criteria.* BACKGROUND: AFRL’s Geo Space Division (RVBN) positions AFRL to steward, develop, and deliver leading technologies to the warfighter and the nuclear enterprise to ensure the National defense. Thus, proposed solutions should be innovative and substantially improve national defense capabilities across the domains of national nuclear deterrence operations. While the Government describes discrete topic areas below, it also anticipates that certain comprehensive technology solutions and prototypes may require multidiscipline approaches that address two or more topic areas. The topic areas covered under this announcement may be used in any combination. The Government reserves the right to add, delete or modify the topic areas as necessary. Industry-Government Communication: Dialogue between prospective Offerors and Government representatives is strongly encouraged throughout the life of this ARA. However, communication shall be limited to the Contracting/Agreement Officer once full proposals are submitted for evaluation/review. Discussions should focus on understanding Government objectives and requirements, feasibility of prospective offeror approach, and prospective offeror prior similar efforts. Discussions shall not constitute a commitment by the Government to subsequently fund or award any proposed effort. No guidance related to technical approach will be given. Offerors are advised that only Contracting or Agreement Officers are legally authorized to contractually bind or otherwise commit the Government. ANNOUNCEMENT DETAILS: This is a HYBRID ANNOUNCEMENT. This announcement includes an open request for white papers as described below. Additionally, individual solicitations for white papers (Two-Step solicitation) and/or proposals (One-Step solicitation) related to discrete requirements may be issued. AFRL reserves the right to collapse a white paper (Two-Step solicitation) into a One-Step if the situation warrants and the white paper contains sufficient technical detail to do full technical proposal evaluation instead of white paper evaluation. Open Announcement Request: AFRL/RVBN is soliciting white papers on the research effort described in the below topic areas pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C. §4023, Procurement for Experimental Purposes. White papers submitted pursuant to the open announcement request follow the two-step procedures described below. White papers submitted under the open announcement request may be retained for 12 months. Open Announcement Submission: Unclassified White papers must be submitted to the Neutron Star Org Box at afrl.rvkb.afrlneutronstardms@us.af.mil. DO NOT DELIVER any classified portion of the white paper to this address. If it is determined that a classified white paper is required, please contact the Neutron STAR Org Mailbox for specific delivery instructions. Additional instructions for white paper submissions can be found in the Neutron STAR Industry User Guide attached to this announcement. Individual Solicitation Request: Individual Solicitations, except for Limited Solicitations, for white papers and proposals will be issued under this announcement via the Government Point of Entry (GPE) at https://sam.gov. Notification of Individual Solicitations may be announced on other platforms (i.e. www.grants.gov) and will direct Offerors to the GPE for full solicitation details. Individual Solicitation Submissions: Submission requirements for Individual Solicitations will be specified in the solicitation details of each Individual Solicitation. Individual Solicitation Variations: Variations of the ARA Individual Solicitation process are available for use. The following types are commonly used but are not considered all inclusive. One-Step: The one-step process is used to request full technical and cost proposals from each Offeror. The proposals are reviewed in accordance with the solicitation criteria and typically all, part, or none of a proposal may be selected for award. Two-Step: The two-step process is used to request white papers and Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) costs. The Individual Solicitation must state whether an unfavorable white paper review will bar the Offeror from further co

## Sources

- View on SAM.gov: https://sam.gov/opp/a8d15fd672a143fe872cd0852e349709/view
- Data as of 2026-11-14. Source: https://sam.gov/data-services/Contract%20Opportunities/datagov

## Cite this

"Neutron Strategic Technology Advanced Research (Neutron-STAR) Advanced Research Announcement (ARA), SAM.gov contract opportunity a8d15fd672a143fe872cd0852e349709." samgovapi.io, https://samgovapi.io/opportunity/a8d15fd672a143fe872cd0852e349709, data as of 2026-11-14. Primary record: https://sam.gov/opp/a8d15fd672a143fe872cd0852e349709/view

## API and MCP

- REST: GET https://samgovapi.io/api/v1/opportunities/a8d15fd672a143fe872cd0852e349709
- MCP tool: get_opportunity

Independent. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by GSA, SAM.gov or any U.S. government agency. Registering in SAM.gov is free at sam.gov.

Get a free API key: https://samgovapi.io/sign-up?ref=ai-claudebot