STAR-FISH CALL 017 - Secure By Design
Air Force and Space Force · FA9453 AFRL RVK
Capture briefs (a one-page, shareable copy of this page) are part of Pro. The CSV here holds the notice, its timeline and past awards.
Where this opportunity stands
Every notice posted under solicitation FA945326XA001 in this department, oldest first.
Next steps for this stage
Standard steps for the notice type; not advice about this buyer.
- Decide bid or no bid before the response deadline.
- Look at the past winners for likely competitors and teaming partners.
- Follow the opportunity to hear about amendments and the award.
What the notice says
FA9453-21-S-0001 Air Force Research Laboratory/Space Vehicle Directorate ANNOUNCEMENT OVERVIEW CALL 017, Topic Area 1. Space Technology Advanced Research - Fast-tracking Innovative Software and Hardware (STAR-FISH) DATE: 26 August 2026 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), and the small business size standard is 1,000 employees. Federal Agency Name: Air Force Research Laboratory, Space Vehicles Directorate, Phillips Research Site ARA Title: Secure by Desig… (show all)
n Space Vehicle (STAR-FISH), Announcement, procurement for experimentation of spaceflight and space-related signal, energy, and transportation technologies. ARA Number: FA9453-21-S-0001 CALL Type: Two-Step Process, initial announcement CALL Title: Secure by Design Space Vehicle CALL Number: 017 White Papers and/or Proposal Due Date and Time: The Government is requesting White Papers at this time for the Topic Area identified above. White Papers addressing any other technology area identified in the basic Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) will not be accepted at this time unless a CALL for that specific area is posted. White Papers or proposals received after the due dates and times shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215- 1(c)(3). It should be noted that this installation observes strict security procedures to enter the facility. These security procedures are NOT considered an interruption of normal Government processes, and white papers or proposals received after the stated date and time in the CALL as a result of security delays will be considered �late.� Furthermore, if offerors utilize commercial carriers in the delivery of white papers or proposals, they may not honor time-of-day delivery guarantees on military installations. Early submission is encouraged. Brief CALL Summary: See Attachment 3, Statement of Objective (SOO) Submission: Two-Step Process First Step: The due date and time for White Papers submitted in response to this CALL is no later than (NLT) 13 Nov 2026, 1600 (Mountain Standard Time (MST). Question & Answer Session Online � 0900 AM, 22 October 2026 White Papers must be prepared using the provided Template, saved as a PDF and submitted via DoD Safe, (https://safe.apps.mil/) NLT 13 November 2026, 1600 (Mountain Standard Time (MST). In order to submit the White Papers, please contact the Contracting Officer, Mr. Gabriel Salazar, email: gabriel.salazar.3@spaceforce.mil, Ms. Heather Miller, email: heather.miller.16@spaceforce.mil, or Ms. Erika Trujillo; email: erika.trujillo.2@spaceforce.mil ; no later than three (3) workdays prior to the submission deadline to receive a DoD Safe drop-off request. A drop-off request is valid for 14 days. Offerors will receive an automated email containing the instructions for uploading the file(s). If you do not receive an automated e-mail message for your drop-off request within 3 business days, please contact the Contracting Officer. See Attachment 2 (STAR-FISH White Paper Template) for White Paper Template. No classified white paper submission will be accepted. The Template can be accessed and downloaded from the following link: https://valideval.com/star_documents/ (please download a new copy of the template prior to submitting your white paper to ensure that you have the most current version). Each White Paper submitted needs to include the company�s Unique Entity ID (UEI) per System for Award Management (SAM) with the DUNS Number. No classified white paper submissions will be accepted. Second Step: Proposal Due Date and Time � To be provided in �Requests for Proposals (RFP)� sent to offerors whose white papers are selected. Announcement Request: Air Force Research Laboratory, Space Vehicles Directorate Phillips Research Site is soliciting white papers on the research effort described in Attachment 2 Statement of Objectives pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C 4023, Procurement for Experimental Purposes. Announcement Modifications: Reference ARA with CALLS, FA9453-21-S-0001, Announcement Overview and Full Text. Type of Contract/Instrument: The Space Force anticipates awarding Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts that will have a base period and two options �Government has the right not to exercise the option� as a result of this CALL, but also reserves the right to award the instrument best suited to the nature of research proposed. Please note, the offeror shall have an approved Accounting System in accordance with FAR 16.301-3, Limitations, and other approved Business Systems. Anticipated Number of Awards: The Air Force anticipates awarding multiple contracts. However, the Air Force does reserve the right to make one award, more than one award, or no awards pursuant to this CALL. System for Award Management (SAM) Registration: Reference ARA with CALLS, FA9453- 21-S-0001, Announcement Overview. Points of Contact: Technical Manager (Primary): Mr. Joseph �Dan� Trujillo, AFRL/RJSW, joseph.trujillo.4@spaceforce.mil Program Manager (Alternate): Mr. Manual Gonzales, AFRL/RVFC, manuel.gonzales.9@spaceforce.mil Contracting Officer (Primary): Mr. Gabriel Salazar, gabriel.salazar.3@spaceforce.mil Contracting Officer / Specialist: Heather Miller, heather.miller.16@spaceforce.mil Contracting Specialist: Ms. Erika Trujillo; email: erika.trujillo.2@spaceforce.mil ADVANCED RESEARCH ANNOUNCMENT WITH CALLS FA9453-21-S-0001 Air Force Research Laboratory/Space Vehicle Directorate FULL TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT CALL 017 as of 29 June 2026 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), and the small business size standard is 1,000 employees. Federal Agency Name: Air Force Research Laboratory, Space Vehicles Directorate, Phillips Research Site ARA Title: Space Technology Advanced Research - Fast-tracking Innovative Software and Hardware (STAR-FISH), Announcement, procurement for experimentation of space-flight and space-related signal, energy, and transportation technologies ARA Number: FA9453-21-S-0001 CALL Type: Two-Step Process, initial announcement CALL Title: Secure by Design Space Vehicle CALL Number: 017 White Paper and/or Proposal Due Date and Time: The Government is requesting White Papers at this time for the Topic Area identified above. White Papers addressing any other technology area identified in the basic Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) will not be accepted at this time unless a CALL for that specific area is posted. White Papers or proposals received after the due dates and times shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215- 1(c)(3). It should be noted that this installation observes strict security procedures to enter the facility. These security procedures are NOT considered an interruption of normal Government processes, and white papers or proposals received after the stated date and time in the CALL as a result of security delays will be considered �late.� Furthermore, if offerors utilize commercial carriers in the delivery of white papers or proposals, they may not honor time-of-day delivery guarantees on military installations. Early submission is encouraged. Submission: Two-Step Process First Step: The due date and time for White Papers submitted in response to this CALL is no later than (NLT) 13 Nov 2026, 1600 (Mountain Standard Time (MST). Question and Answer Session Online - 09:00 AM on 22 October 2026 White Papers must be prepared using the provided Template, saved as a PDF and submitted via DoD Safe, (https://safe.apps.mil/) NLT 13 Nov 2026, 1600 (Mountain Standard Time (MST). In order to submit the White Papers, please contact the Contracting Officer, Mr. Gabriel Salazar, email: gabriel.salazar.3@spaceforce.mil, Ms. Heather Miller, email: heather.miller.16@spaceforce.mil, or Ms. Erika Trujillo; email: erika.trujillo.2@spaceforce.mil no later than thre
Who won similar work
113 award notices on SAM.gov in the last 24 months. Matched by: Same agency (Air Force and Space Force), same NAICS 541715.
Single-winner award sizes (113): middle half $2.3M to $30.5M, median $7.3M; range $35K to $33.2B.
| Winner | Awards | Value | Last |
|---|---|---|---|
| BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC · $BAH · $10.7B | 5 | $46.6M | Sep 24, 2025 |
| LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP · $LMT · $67.6B | 5 | $40.1M | Jan 8, 2026 |
| RAYTHEON COMPANY · $RTX · $68.9B | 4 | $39.5M | Aug 5, 2026 |
| SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH LLC | 4 | $18.3M | Sep 29, 2025 |
| DCS Corporation | 3 | $33.3B | Feb 23, 2026 |
| SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP · $SPCX | 3 | $49.4M | Mar 6, 2026 |
| MODERN TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC. | 2 | $33.2B | Mar 26, 2025 |
| MATRIX RESEARCH INC | 2 | $109.9M | Jan 20, 2026 |
| NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION | 2 | $31.8M | Jul 21, 2026 |
| SAAB, INC | 2 | $8.5M | Jul 23, 2025 |
Value counts single-winner awards. "Shared" awards are multiple-award contracts that list every winner with the same total ceiling; that ceiling is not one company's win, so it is not added in. Revenue next to a ticker is the company's last annual revenue from its 10-K.
- $BAH reported $10.7B revenue in FY2026. The median single-winner award in these 113 past awards, $7.3M, is under 0.1% of that. 10-K
- $LMT reported $67.6B revenue in FY2025. The median single-winner award in these 113 past awards, $7.3M, is under 0.1% of that. 10-K
- $RTX reported $68.9B revenue in FY2025. The median single-winner award in these 113 past awards, $7.3M, is under 0.1% of that. 10-K
One award's total value against one year of revenue; many awards are paid over several years.
- Oct 6, 2026DRS NETWORK & IMAGING SYSTEMS LLC$2.2MMulti-Spectral Sensing Technologies Research and Development (MUSTER)Materiality: 0.08% of $DRS revenue (Low) SEC
- Oct 1, 2026DEFENSE ENGINEERING CORP$37.6MMulti-Spectral Sensing Technologies Research and Development (MUSTER)No listed company matched (Materiality N/A)
- Sep 30, 2026INVISIBLE PACK INC$225K316 SFS Ghoul Attachable ToolNo listed company matched (Materiality N/A)
- Aug 5, 2026RAYTHEON COMPANY$8.0MCombat Identification Automated Target Recognition Technology (CATCH) Call 05Materiality: 0.01% of $RTX revenue (Low) SEC
- Aug 3, 2026Arete Associates Niwot CO 80503 USA$1.5MMulti-Spectral Sensing Technologies Research and Development (MUSTER)No listed company matched (Materiality N/A)
- Jul 28, 2026SAAZ MICRO, INC.$1.9MMulti-Spectral Sensing Technologies Research and Development (MUSTER)No listed company matched (Materiality N/A)
- Jul 21, 2026NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION$14.8MCombat Identification Automated Target Recognition Technology (CATCH) Call 06Materiality: 0.04% of $NOC revenue (Low) SEC
- Jul 20, 2026RADIAL RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT LTD$6.0MMulti-Spectral Sensing Technologies Research and Development (MUSTER)No listed company matched (Materiality N/A)
- Jul 15, 2026RIVERSIDE RESEARCH INSTITUTE Fairfax VA 22033 USA$3.8MCOSMOS BridgeNo listed company matched (Materiality N/A)
- Jul 15, 2026VANTAGE ANALYTICAL LLC$499.0MNew Award- Space Systems and Hardware Integration for Novel Experiments (SSHINE)No listed company matched (Materiality N/A)
Materiality: one award's value as a share of the winner's revenue over the latest 12 months in its SEC filings (or its last fiscal year, as noted when you point at it). Low under 1%, Medium 1 to 5%, High 5% or more. Many awards are paid over several years, so this overstates a single year's share.
Competitive landscape
For the 8 most frequent past winners above. Lobbying is matched by the company's exact name or exact ticker; agencies are as named on the filings.
- 1 of these past winners lobbied Air Force, Dept of since 2024 (8 filings)
- 0 of their lobbyists list a past Air Force, Dept of job
- $780K from their corporate PACs since 2024 to members of House Committee on Appropriations, House Committee on Armed Services, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senate Committee on Armed Services
- 1 foreign-agent (FARA) registrations
Policy around it
Bills the past winners named while lobbying this agency's issues, rules from the department, and executive orders that name the agency, last 12 months.
- 8 bills named on the past winners' lobbying filings
- 32 rules from the department in the last 12 months
- 0 executive orders naming the agency in the last 12 months
Market
For past winners matched exactly to a listed company. Insider trades are open-market buys and sells (Form 4) in the last 90 days, shown as facts; our own study found insiders do not reliably buy ahead of awards. A sale marked 10b5-1 was made under a trading plan set up in advance.
- 4 of the past winners are listed companies
- 0 insider buys and 6 insider sells at them in the last 90 days
Sources: SAM.gov notices and award notices; Senate LDA lobbying filings; FEC filings; FARA; Federal Register; congress.gov; SEC Form 4. Every row above links to its record.
Companies are matched to tickers by exact name only. A company we could not match shows no market rows; that is a miss, not a finding.