All Qualified
Award Decision
What Is the AFRL MAC IDIQ?
The Air Force Research Laboratory Multiple Award Contract (also called AMAC) is an 8-year, $10 billion IDIQ vehicle for science and technology research support. Unlike competitive IDIQs with limited awards, AFRL AMAC awards contracts to ALL offerors who meet the qualification threshold — making the evaluation a qualification exercise rather than a competitive selection. This fundamentally changes how you approach the competition: the focus is on documenting and verifying your capability, not outcompeting peers.
"AFRL AMAC is the rare IDIQ where getting an award isn't about beating competitors — it's about meeting the qualification bar. That changes everything about your proposal strategy."
The Four Technical Domains
AFRL AMAC covers four distinct science and technology technical domains. Register for every domain where you have qualifying R&D experience and technical capability:
Air Domain Technologies
Propulsion systems, structures, aerodynamics, sensors, and air vehicle technologies for Air Force platforms.
Space Domain Technologies
Spacecraft systems, launch vehicles, orbital mechanics, space propulsion, and space-based sensor technologies.
Cyberspace/Electronic Warfare Domain
Cybersecurity, electronic warfare systems, command & control, network defense, and cyber R&D support.
Cross-Cutting Domain Technologies
Artificial intelligence, machine learning, advanced manufacturing, materials science, and foundational technologies applicable across domains.
Services Covered Under AFRL AMAC
AFRL AMAC task orders span the full spectrum of research and technology development:
- Basic Research: Fundamental scientific inquiry without immediate application.
- Applied Research: Directed research with near-term application to Air Force problems.
- Advanced Technology Development: Converting research into prototypes and experimental systems.
- Engineering & Manufacturing Development: Design, engineering, and prototype fabrication.
- Technology Transition: Moving mature technologies into operational Air Force systems.
- Data Science & Analytics: Analysis, modeling, simulation, and data science support for R&D programs.
- Testing & Evaluation: Test design, execution, data analysis, and T&E reporting for new technologies.
Key Feature: Award to All Qualifying Offerors
This is the critical difference between AFRL AMAC and most other IDIQs. Instead of evaluating offers competitively and selecting the best few, AFRL evaluates every submission against a qualification threshold. If you meet the threshold and comply with solicitation requirements, you receive a contract award. This means:
- You're not competing against other offerors for a limited number of awards
- Your success is determined by your own qualifications, not relative to peers
- The evaluation team can only reject you if you fail to meet the threshold or have compliance issues
- Once awarded, ALL contract holders compete equally for task orders
The AFRL AMAC Evaluation Model
AFRL AMAC uses a self-assessment and verification model:
- Your Role: You self-assess and document your technical qualifications, R&D experience, past performance, and team expertise.
- Government Role: AFRL evaluates your submission, verifies your claims, and determines whether you meet the qualification threshold.
- No Competitive Comparison: Unlike traditional RFPs where offers are scored relatively, AFRL evaluates your qualifications in absolute terms against the threshold.
- Award or Reject: You either meet the threshold (award) or don't (rejection). There's no graduated scoring or ranking.
Security Clearances and AFRL AMAC
Many AFRL programs involve classified or sensitive technologies. Having personnel with active security clearances (Secret to TS/SCI depending on program) is a significant advantage for task order competitions, even if not required for base contract award. If your team includes cleared personnel, emphasize this in your submission — it positions you for high-value, sensitive task orders.
How FedBiz Solutions Helps You Win AFRL AMAC
FedBiz Solutions brings deep experience with Air Force R&D procurement and the AFRL community. Our approach:
- Technical Domain Assessment: We review your firm's R&D experience, publications, patents, and technical capabilities to identify which AFRL domains you can credibly compete in.
- Qualification Threshold Analysis: We identify what AFRL expects for the qualification bar in each domain and assess your likelihood of clearing it.
- Past Performance Documentation: We help you document and present your R&D performance in AFRL-relevant language and framework — emphasizing technical impact and mission alignment.
- Team & Personnel Strategy: We help you identify and position key technical personnel, cleared team members, and academic/industry partnerships that strengthen your R&D profile.
- Submission Support: We provide full proposal support to ensure your AFRL AMAC submission is clear, compliant, and compelling.
Learn more about our capture management services, proposal development support, and business development strategy.
Task Order Competition on AFRL AMAC
Once you hold an AFRL AMAC contract, the real value comes from winning task order competitions. AFRL program offices issue RFPs for specific R&D tasks to all contract holders in applicable domains. You compete by submitting a technical approach, team qualifications, schedule, and price. Technical merit typically dominates evaluation at the task order level. FedBiz Solutions provides proposal support for AFRL task order competitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does everyone who submits win an AFRL MAC contract?
Not exactly. All offerors who meet or exceed the qualification threshold and comply with solicitation requirements receive an award. If your self-assessment meets the threshold and is verifiable by the government, you win a contract position. The threshold ensures a quality floor.
What are the AFRL AMAC technical domains?
Air Domain Technologies (propulsion, structures, sensors), Space Domain Technologies (spacecraft systems, launch), Cyberspace/Electronic Warfare Domain (cybersecurity, EW systems, C2), and Cross-Cutting Domain Technologies (AI/ML, advanced manufacturing, materials). Offerors submit for applicable domains.
What type of work can be ordered under AFRL MAC IDIQ?
Basic research, applied research, advanced technology development, engineering and manufacturing development, and technology transition. The vehicle supports the full AFRL science & technology lifecycle — from fundamental discovery through prototype development.
Do I need an active security clearance to compete?
AFRL work involves sensitive technologies and many task orders will require personnel with active clearances (Secret to TS/SCI depending on the program). Having a cleared workforce is a competitive advantage for task order competitions even if not required for the base award.
Is AFRL AMAC open to small businesses?
Yes. The solicitation includes provisions for small business participation and task order set-asides. Small businesses without deep R&D history can often qualify by documenting academic partnerships, commercialized technologies, and relevant government-funded research.
What is the minimum order value for AFRL MAC contracts?
Each awardee is guaranteed a minimum order of $500 during the contract term. This is a nominal guaranteed minimum — the real value comes from competing for and winning substantive task orders from AFRL programs.
How does task order competition work under AFRL MAC?
Once you hold the contract, AFRL program offices issue RFPs for specific R&D task orders to contract holders in applicable domains. You compete by submitting a technical approach, team qualifications, and price. Technical merit dominates evaluation at the task order level.
How can FedBiz Solutions help with AFRL AMAC?
We support AFRL AMAC with technical domain qualification assessment, past performance documentation for R&D and S&T work, proposal strategy for task order competitions, and team partner identification.
Contact us to discuss your firm's AFRL positioning.
Ready to Compete for AFRL AMAC?
AFRL AMAC is the vehicle for Air Force R&D and technology development. Let FedBiz Solutions help you clear the qualification bar and position for high-value task orders.
Schedule Your Technical Assessment