HERMES BAA CALL: Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine-Combined Cycle (RDRE-CC) Flight Demonstration

roduct Service Code (PSC): AC11 � National Defense R&D Services; Department of Defense; Basic Research Response Date (Step 1 - White Papers): [16 NOV 2026] at 1600 PST Set-Aside: Full and Open Competition (under RFO 35.102) 1. Program Description The Air Force Research Laboratory, Rocket Propulsion Division (AFRL/RJP), located at Edwards AFB, CA, is issuing a formal Two-Step Call for Proposals under the overarching HERMES Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA9300-20-S-0001. This Call follows the market research previously conducted and publicized under RFI Notice ID RFIFA930026R0001. AFRL/RJP seeks innovative research and development approaches to mature advanced Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine-Combined Cycle (RDRE-CC) propulsion systems from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 to TRL 6. This research effort is intended to culminate in a ground-launched, sounding-rocket-boosted flight demonstration to validate the system's operational viability for future High-Speed Affordable Mass Munitions (HAMM). The scope encompasses: Maturation and demonstration of RDRE-CC propulsion technology through RDRE development and test, integrated RDRE-CC direct-connect and freejet testing, vehicle development, and flight demonstration.The anticipated Period of Performance (PoP) for resultant award(s) is 36 to 48 months. 2. Acquisition Structure (Two-Step BAA Process) In accordance with RFO 35.102 and Section IV of the Hermes Master BAA, this Call utilizes a Two-Step solicitation process: Step 1: White Paper Submission Interested offerors are invited to submit a concise White Paper outlining their proposed technical architecture, compliance with the seven Specific Test Objectives (STOs), schedule milestones, and a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost. No contract awards will be made based solely upon Step 1 White Paper submissions. Step 2: Request for Proposals (RFP) The Government will evaluate White Papers using a Peer/Scientific Review process based on the criteria published in the Call. Only those offerors whose White Papers are evaluated as having high technical merit, relevance to HAMM objectives, and for which funding is available, will be formally invited to submit a full, high-fidelity Technical and Cost Proposal. The Government anticipates completing its Step 1 White Paper evaluations and issuing notifications within approximately six (6) to eight (8) weeks following the submission closing date. 3. Submission Guidelines & Page Limits Format: Submissions must be in Adobe PDF format, standard business font (10-point minimum), double-spaced, with 1-inch margins. Page Limitations: Core White Paper: Strictly limited to ten (10) pages (excluding the single, self-explanatory Title Page). Technical Appendix (Optional): Offerors may include an optional appendix of up to five (5) pages, strictly restricted to engineering drawings, CAD schematics, aerothermal performance curves, test data summaries, and modeling results. (Narrative marketing or promotional text is prohibited in the appendix). Enforcement: Pages exceeding the stated 10+5 limits will be removed prior to evaluation and will not be reviewed. 4. Security & Access to Controlled Call Document (Distribution Statement C) The detailed technical requirements, vehicle constraints, and Specific Test Objectives (STOs) for this Call are contained within the formal Call Document, which contains militarily critical technology and has been designated: DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT C: Distribution authorized to U.S. Government Agencies and their contractors; Critical Technology, Export Controlled; 14 September 2026. Other requests shall be referred to AFRL/RJP, 5 Pollux Drive, Edwards AFB, CA 93524-7048. To safeguard this Controlled Technical Information (CTI) in accordance with DoDI 5230.24 and DoDD 5230.25, the document is hosted on SAM.gov as a Controlled Attachment: Eligibility: Access is restricted to certified U.S. defense contractors possessing an active DD Form 2345 (Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement) registered under the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Joint Certification Program (JCP). Requesting Access via SAM.gov: Prospective offerors must click the "Request Access" button next to the controlled attachment on this notice. In the justification text box, the requester must input their active Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code and their JCP Certification Number. Verification & Approval: Upon validation of the contractor's JCP standing by the Contracting Officer, explicit access will be approved directly in SAM.gov, allowing the authorized Data Custodian to download the document. Facility Clearance Note: The performing entity must have and maintain safeguarding capability for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Secret-level data. A draft DD Form 254 will be issued to selected offerors in Step 2. 5. Submission Inquiries & Points of Contact All Step 1 White Papers must be submitted electronically to the AFRL/AFTC White Paper Workflow Inbox no later than the date and time specified in this notice: Official White Paper Submission Inbox: AFTC.PZRA.BAAs@us.af.mil (All submissions must state FA9300-20-S-0001-CALL-RDRE-CC White Paper Submission in the subject line). Primary Contracting Officer (PZR - Administrative/Contracting Inquiries): Alessandra Barzaghi-Martin, CIV, DAF Email: alessandra.barzaghi-martin@us.af.mil AFRL Rocket Propulsion Division (AFTC/PZR) Edwards AFB, CA Contracting Officer (PZR - Administrative/Contracting Inquiries): Mathew Pierson, CIV, DAF Email: mathew.pierson@us.af.mil AFRL Rocket Propulsion Division (AFTC/PZR) Edwards AFB, CA Contracting Officer (PZR - Administrative/Contracting Inquiries): Kameelah Purdom, CIV, DAF Email: kameelah.purdom@us.af.mil AFRL Rocket Propulsion Division (AFTC/PZR) Edwards AFB, CA