AFVentures launches 2024 STRATFI/TACFI Notice of Opportunity Published Aug. 11, 2023 By Tim Tresslar AFWERX WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFRL) -- AFVentures, the commercial investment arm of AFWERX and the Department of the Air Force, or DAF, on Aug. 10, 2023, issued a notice of opportunity for its Strategic Funding Increase and Tactical Funding Increase, or STRATFI/TACFI, programs. The notice marks the availability of the application documents and guidance for the STRATFI/TACFI’s 2024 program year. For the first time, STRATFI and TACFI submission windows will be offset. For STRATFI, the deadline for submitting capability package submissions is noon on Sept. 27, 2023, with the TACFI submission window to follow. STRATFI/TACFI is open to Phase II companies with the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer, or SBIR/STTR, programs. The small business must either have a current Phase II contract or have completed one within two years of submitting a capability package. “One of the major changes this cycle is in the submission process,” said Carl Parker, AFWERX senior operations research analyst for the STRATFI/TACFI portfolio. “Unlike previous years, this time the government champion will submit all documentation as opposed to the Small Business Concern, or SBC.” Completing and submitting a successful capability package will still require teamwork between the government champion and the SBC. “We’re excited about the level of engagement we’re already seeing from our government and industry partners, and we’ll be mirroring all submission documents and guidance on our website and on the Microsoft Teams platform to ensure full access,” said Parker. STRATFI/TACFI are designed to bridge the “Valley of Death” between SBIR/STTR Phase II efforts and Phase III scaling efforts, facilitating delivery of strategic capabilities for the DAF. The program initiates relationships between the U.S. Air Force and Space Force end-users and acquisition professionals, private-sector innovators, and investors. The two programs differ based on award sizes, matching fund requirements and performance periods. STRATFI contracts range from $3 million to $15 million over 48 months, while TACFI awards range between $375,000 and $1.9 million over 24 months. The 2022 notice of opportunity drew 147 capability packages, of which officials deemed 125 eligible. Of those eligible, 22 STRATFI and 67 TACFI contracts were awarded during that program year. STRATFI and TACFI require various levels of matching funding and avenues for defense and/or industry matching, depending on the program sought. Air Force acquisition officials first introduced AFVentures and the STRATFI program in March 2020 during a virtual Pitch Bowl and Spark Collider. The TACFI program was introduced the following year. There will only be a small window of time to submit a proposal. Prepare now and learn more about the program here: https://afwerx.com/stratfi-tacfi/ About AFRL The Air Force Research Laboratory 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 11,500 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. About AFWERX The innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory brings cutting edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. Employs approximately 325 military, civilian and contractor personnel at six hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4B budget. Since 2019, has executed 4,671 contracts worth more than $2B to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: www.afwerx.com.