ASTROS II_Series 3_Industry Day.pdf

Air Force Test Center / Aerospace Systems Support Branch Edwards AFB, CA

Request For Information (RFI)- Series 03 Industry Day/Site Visit Notice

For

“Aerospace System’s Technical Research and Operation Services (ASTROS) II”

Date: 17 Jun 2026

This document including the cover page consists of 8 pages.

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Table of Contents

General Information…………………………………………………………... 3 Non-Solicitation Statement………………………………………………..….. 3 Industry Day/Site Visit Notice………………………………………………... 4 Location and Directions………………………………………………………. 4 Facility Access and Security Protocol..……………………………………….. 5 Attendee Limitations and Eligibility…………..……………………………… 5 Required Personnel Vetting Data……………………………………………… 5 Site Access Enforcement…….………………………………………………... 6 Post-Event Resources ………………………………..……………………….. 6 Tactical Tour Procedures and Security Guidelines……………………………. 6 Additional Information…………………………...…………………………... 7 Question And Feedback Submission Protocol………………………………… 7 Points Of Contact (POC)……………………………………………………… 8

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ASTROS II RFI – Series Three (3) Industry Day/Site Visit

GENERAL INFORMATION:

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Rocket Lab at Edwards AFB, CA is conducting market research to define the acquisition strategy for the Aerospace System’s Technical Research and Operation Services (ASTROS) II contract. This is the follow-on effort to the current ASTROS contract (FA9300-16-C-0001). A Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) for ASTROS II is provided as Attachment 01. It details the revised and expanded scope of work for this effort.

NOTE: Potential program name change is being contemplated.

The Government is considering all contracting strategies and types, including the potential for a 100% small business set-aside. The anticipated North American Industry Classification (NAICS) code for this procurement is 541330 - Engineering Services. The corresponding small business size standard is $47 million, with Exception 1 - Military and Aerospace Equipment and Military Weapons.

The Government anticipates that the successful offeror will be required to maintain a comprehensive security program in accordance with (IAW) the draft Department of War Contract Security Classification Specification, DD Form 254 (provided as Attachment 05 of RFI #1). At a minimum, all contractor personnel supporting this effort must possess a favorable National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI). Respondents should note that performance may require personnel to obtain and maintain Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearances during the contract lifecycle. Additionally, to comply with R-DFARS 252.204-7021 and 252.204-7025, the Government expects that both the prime contractor and any subcontractors will be required to achieve and maintain the appropriate Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). General information regarding this CMMC requirement is outlined in Attachment 07 of RFI #1.

The anticipated period of performance is 10 years, which may include performance incentives. The target date for contract award is Apr 2027, with transition scheduled Jun 2027 and performance scheduled to begin in Sep 2027.

THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AT THIS TIME:

This posting is exclusively a Request for Information (RFI) issued for the purpose of conducting market research, and it does not constitute a Request for Proposals (RFP) or a commitment by the Government to award a contract. Participation is strictly voluntary, and the Government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred by respondents. Furthermore, the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of submissions or provide feedback to industry partners. Please note that telephone inquiries will not be accepted. The Government reserves the right to revise or cancel this RFI at any time, and all information provided herein is preliminary and subject to change prior to the release of any formal solicitation.

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INDUSTRY DAY/SITE VISIT NOTICE:

The purpose of this Industry Day and Site Visit at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), CA, is to provide interested contractors with comprehensive insight into the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Rocket Lab’s unique technical mission requirements, specialized infrastructure, remote operational environment, and ASTROS II security protocols. Additionally, this event will facilitate direct industry engagement to support the Government's ongoing market research.

The agenda will feature a formal Government briefing followed by a guided tactical tour of select AFRL facilities. Based on industry interest, the Government may also host 30-minute one-on-one (1:1) breakout sessions. These sessions will allow individual companies to discuss their specific capabilities and assets relevant to the ASTROS II requirement, as well as address targeted topic areas of interest to the Government.

Event Logistics:

Detail Information Date 23 Jul 2026 Time Check-In: 0800 - 0830 PST

Industry Networking: 0830 – 0850 PST Briefing and Tour: 0900 – 1300 PST One-on-One: 1330 – TBD

Location Air Force Research Laboratory, Edwards AFB, CA Attendance Format In-person only (No virtual options will be available)

LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS:

Navigating to the AFRL Rocket Lab requires careful planning, as the facility is not located on the main Edwards AFB installation. It is a remote site situated approximately 30 to 45 minutes east of the primary base. To ensure a successful arrival, travelers must avoid any highway exits labeled "Edwards AFB" off Highways 14 or 58, as these lead only to the main base and do not provide access to the AFRL Rocket Lab.

Furthermore, while some navigation systems may suggest using Mercury Boulevard from the Lancaster or Palmdale areas, this route is frequently subject to closure on short notice and is not recommended by the Government.

To assist with GPS routing, attendees may reference the 'AFRL Propulsion Directorate' landmark within Google Maps as a supplemental navigation tool.

Recommended Approach via Highway 58

The most reliable approach is via Highway 58. For those traveling from Mojave (West), take Exit 194 for Gephart Road. After a short drive, turn left at 20 Mule Team Road, then right onto Rocket Site Road.

For those approaching from Barstow (East), utilize Exit 196 for Borax Road. Turn left onto Borax Road, then right onto 20 Mule Team Road before making a final left onto Rocket Site Road.

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Final Check-In Procedures

Once on Rocket Site Road, you will travel approximately six miles to the intersection of Mercury Boulevard. A left turn will lead you uphill for 2.5 miles toward the AFRL Rocket Lab gate.

To maintain the event schedule, all participants must arrive at the Visitor Parking area—located just outside the main gate—between 0800 and 0830 PST. Upon parking, attendees must proceed on foot to the guard shack, where a Government representative will meet the group outside.

Please note that individuals must not enter the guard shack independently, as an official Government escort is strictly required to enter the security facility and receive a visitor badge. To complete the check-in process, each attendee must present a valid State-issued driver's license or a U.S. Passport to the security personnel at the guard shack.

Once badged, participants will drive through the main gate and park their personal vehicles in the large parking lot located immediately to the left (note: the designated parking location may be adjusted on the day of the event based on lot availability). From this lot, Government-provided shuttles (buses and/or vans) will transport all attendees directly to the briefing location.

FACILITY ACCESS AND SECURITY PROTOCOLS:

Access to the AFRL Rocket Lab is strictly restricted to authorized personnel. To secure entry, prospective attendees must carefully review all installation access instructions, submit the required security documentation, and complete and return the AFRL Visitor Access List (VAL) Request (Attachment 2) to the designated Points of Contacts (POCs).

ATTENDEE LIMITATIONS AND ELIGIBILITY:

To maintain operational security and ensure a focused environment, participation is strictly limited to a maximum of three (3) primary attendees per company. Recognizing that personnel availability may shift, the Government will permit companies to submit up to three (3) designated alternates.

All primary and alternate attendees must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and all visitors must successfully complete a mandatory background check prior to entry. The complete roster of up to six (6) individuals must be submitted by the established deadline to allow sufficient time for security processing.

REQUIRED PERSONNEL VETTING DATA:

Entry to the AFRL Rocket Lab requires the submission of the specific vetting data outlined in Attachment 2 for every individual on your roster. All information provided must be entirely accurate and must exactly match the physical identification presented to security personnel at the gate.

Information Category Requirement Details Full Legal Name Last Name, First Name DoW ID (If Applicable) Full DoW ID number

Primary Identification Valid U.S. Government-issued Photo ID or Driver's License number, including the issuing state

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Date and Place of Birth Date of Birth (Day, Month, Year) and Place of Birth (City, State, Country)

Social Security Number (SSN) Last four (4) digits of the SSN only

Corporate Affiliation The full, legal name of the company the individual is representing

SITE ACCESS ENFORCEMENT:

Access to the AFRL Rocket Lab facility is strictly controlled. Entry will be denied to any individual who is not listed as a pre-approved primary or alternate attendee on the final, cleared roster. Upon arrival, all participants must physically carry and present their valid, physical U.S. Government-issued photo identification to security personnel to be granted access to the installation.

POST-EVENT RESOURCES:

To support mission transparency and facilitate future partnerships, the Government will publish post-event resources on SAM.gov. These materials will be made available once they have cleared mandatory security and administrative reviews.

Additionally, to foster collaboration, the Government will publish a comprehensive Participant Roster. This list is intended to assist potential prime contractors in identifying subcontracting opportunities with small businesses and specialized vendors.

The following table outlines the availability and release timeline for all Industry Day resources:

Resource Type Description Disclosure Timeline

Briefing Slides Vetted, public-release version of the presentation materials utilized during the Industry Day briefing.

Within one (1) week after the question submission deadline (On or before 06 Aug 2026)

Participant Roster

A comprehensive list of attendees, including names, corporate affiliations, and contact information (emails and phone numbers)

NLT 30 Jul 2026

Tactical Tour Materials

The detailed itinerary of visited locations and narrative instructional scripts used during the guided bus tour.

Will Not Be Provided (Distribution Restricted)

Industry Q&A Responses

Formal Government responses to all questions raised during Industry Day, as well as those submitted to the Contracting POCs by the 30 Jul 2026.

Within one (1) week after the question submission deadline (On or before 06 Aug 2026)

TACTICAL TOUR PROCEDURES AND SECURITY GUIDELINES:

The on-site portion of the event includes a guided bus tour of critical AFRL facilities. To maintain operational security and ensure a consistent technical overview, the following procedures are in effect:

• On-Site Information Release: Detailed information regarding the tour stops and narrative scripts for each location will be distributed to participants immediately prior to boarding the transport.

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• Standardized Briefings: At each designated stop, a formal, pre-vetted script will be read to provide a consistent, concise, and technically accurate description of the infrastructure and its mission relevance.

• Pre-Event Restrictions: In compliance with operational security (OPSEC) protocols, neither the facility itinerary nor the tour scripts will be released to any party prior to the site visit. This restriction ensures all participants receive a synchronized, vetted, and equal briefing in the appropriate context.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Remote Location & Lack of Amenities

The AFRL Rocket Lab is situated in a remote, specialized operational environment. There are no commercial amenities, dining facilities, or refueling stations available on the installation. The nearest town offering fuel and dining options is Boron, CA, located approximately 15 miles from the AFRL Rocket Lab main gate.

Attendees are strongly encouraged to refuel their vehicles and secure necessary meals and hydration prior to arrival. While the Government is attempting to secure a local food truck for the event, its availability is not guaranteed; participants must plan for alternative lunch options.

Cellular Connectivity Limits Due to the facility's geography and mission profile, cellular connectivity is extremely limited and cannot be guaranteed. While Verizon Wireless typically provides the most reliable local coverage, users of other carriers should expect a complete loss of signal. Participants must plan for extended periods of communication unavailability and should notify their respective organizations of this limitation prior to arrival.

Photography & Electronic Device Restrictions To safeguard the security of the AFRL infrastructure and the integrity of the ASTROS II mission, photography, video recording, and audio recording are strictly prohibited at all times while on the installation. This restriction applies to all personal electronic devices, including smartphones, tablets, cameras, and wearable technology (such as smartwatches and fitness trackers).

Attendees must remain highly vigilant regarding these security protocols. If you have any questions or security concerns during the visit, please coordinate immediately with a Government team member to ensure compliance.

QUESTION AND FEEDBACK SUBMISSION PROTOCOL:

To ensure all inquiries are formally addressed while minimizing administrative burden on industry, designated Government personnel will document and publish all questions raised and answered during the live Industry Day event. Industry partners do not need to resubmit these previously addressed questions. However, regarding any questions that remain unanswered during the event, or for any new inquiries generated post-event, partners must formally submit them using the Industry Question and Answer (Q&A) Matrix (Attachment 3).

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Completed matrices must be submitted to the designated Points of Contact by the firm deadline of 1600 PST on 30 Jul 2026. Inquiries submitted in any other format or received after this deadline will not be reviewed. Following the deadline, the Government will consolidate all questions into a master Industry Q&A Matrix and publish the formal, final responses on SAM.gov within approximately one

(1) week (NLT 06 Aug 2026).

POINTS OF CONTACT (POC):

Please direct all event coordination, registration, and acquisition-related inquiries to the primary Government Points of Contact (POCs) listed below. To register and formalize your intent to attend, you must submit the completed vetting information (Attachment 2) directly to these designated Government POCs.

Additionally, companies wishing to participate in a 30-minute one-on-one (1:1) breakout session must explicitly request a session at the time of registration to allow for proper scheduling. Individual 1:1 agendas and time slots will be coordinated and confirmed directly with registered participants.

The Government will issue a Microsoft Teams calendar placeholder invite to the company representative who submitted the registration. The recipient may then forward this calendar invite to their approved on-site attendees.

To ensure a standardized and documented exchange of information, the Government requires that all correspondence be submitted exclusively in writing via email. Please note that adherence to the established suspense is critical for security processing; therefore, all submissions must be received no later than 1600 PST on 08 Jul 2026 with subject line “Response to ASTROS II Industry Day – Insert Company Name.”

Name Title Email Mathew Pierson Contracting Officer mathew.pierson@us.af.mil Lauren Petrey Contract Specialist lauren.petrey@us.af.mil Valerie Malcom Contract Specialist valerie.malcom.1@us.af.mil Cinthia Arias Contract Specialist cinthia.arias@us.af.mil

ASTROS II RFI #3_Industry Day Notice Page 8 of 8 https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fsam.gov mailto:mathew.pierson@us.af.mil mailto:lauren.petrey@us.af.mil mailto:valerie.malcom.1@us.af.mil mailto:cinthia.arias@us.af.mil