E-7 Capability Assessment

Request for Information (RFI)

19 Aug 2026

Prepared By: Laura Pineda, Capt, USAF

Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, PAE Training Directorate (AFLCMC/WN)

Simulators Division (AFLCMC/WNS)/Air Combat (AFLCMC/WNS)

2300 D Street, Building 32

Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433

1. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) FOR PLANNING PURPOSES

This RFI/Capability Assessment is in accordance with (IAW) Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul (RFO) 15.101(c) – Request for Information (April 17, 2026). Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.

The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and Proposal costs, of the RFO. Companies responding to this RFI/Capability Assessment are advised that participation does not ensure involvement in future solicitations or contract awards. The Government will not reimburse any company or individual for any expenses associated with preparation or participation in this RFI.

The acquisition strategy has not yet been determined. The Government is assessing the capability of companies that may possess the expertise to competently and competitively respond to the following requirements for the E-7 Wedgetail Training Devices to provide:

Program Management

Systems Engineering

Upgrades and Modifications (e.g., Concurrency Upgrades, Training Enhancements, etc.)

Training Systems Support (e.g., Contractor Logistics Support [CLS], Training System Support Center [TSSC], etc.)

Instructional Services

Products

Design Concept and Flight Dynamics Modeling

Interoperability

Qualification and Test

Although “proposal” and “offeror” are used in this RFI, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal.

2. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

With anticipation of the new E-7 Wedgetail aircraft, the Department of the Air Force is seeking information for the development and delivery of one Operational Flight Training (OFT) Device, two Virtual Maintenance Trainers (VMT) for hands-on training and a Training System Support Center. The E-7 Wedgetail aircraft, set to replace the E-3 in future operations, is based on a commercial Boeing 737 airframe. Device development is estimated to initiate in 2027/2028.

Maintenance and training system support is anticipated to extend beyond initial delivery.

It is the Government’s intention to acquire full motion fidelity devices that comply with CFR Part 60 and Air Force Air Combat and Air Warfare Simulation Qualification (ARASQ) standards.

For planning purposes, industry is requested to list all data/documentation required to accomplish this effort, to include flight test data.

Information gathered from this effort will be used in the Market Research portion of the program to identify potential sources and companies that may possess the expertise and capabilities needed to provide all services listed.

2.1 E-7 Training Devices

The purpose of the E-7 Training Program is to provide the highest hands-on training experience for the E-7 flight crew and maintenance crew, to minimize aircraft training time. For the E-7 Training Program, Industry will describe the capability to develop and deliver one OFT, two VMTs, and a Training System Support Center (TSSC) for upcoming E-7 Wedgetail aircraft NLT

FY32.

2.1.1 Program Description

E-7 Wedgetail Training Program consists of the following devices anticipated to be located at Tinker AFB, OK. The OFT and TSSC will be placed in the Consolidated Simulator Building (CSB), while the 2 VMTs will be placed in a maintenance facility that will be named in a later date.

Device Current Location

Description

Operational Flight Trainer (OFT) 1 Tinker AFB, OK

Level D equivalent training system Supports and maintains the daily training of the E-7 Flight Crew

Virtual Maintenance Trainers (VMT) 2 Tinker AFB, OK

− Supports and maintains the daily training of the maintenance crew, minimizing real aircraft time

Training System Support Center

(TSSC)

1 Tinker AFB, OK

− All Software tools required to maintain and update device source code.

All tools required to develop and maintain training scenarios included simulated device environment for testing scenarios.

2.1.2 Capability Required

A full set of system requirements for this program has not yet been developed. Captured below are critical operational requirements that have a significant impact on system development. A full set of requirements will be developed as the program matures, and these operational requirements will be traced into a future specification. Industry can assume that all traditional standard training system requirements will be included in the final specification.

2.1.2.1 OFT Requirements

The OFT must meet full Level D equivalent specifications and support Ready Aircrew Program, Initial Qualification Training, and Mission Qualification Training. It must also include modeling and simulation scenario generating and control capabilities. The OFT must be compliant with Universal A/C inflight Refueling Receptacle Installation Compatible boom refueling receptacle.

For training, the OFT must be a Flight Crew Level 4 Device and include modeling and simulation scenarios generating and control capabilities. The OFT will also include a debriefing room capable of replaying past flight performance. Lastly, Type 1 and 3 training and materials for flight crew must be provided.

2.1.2.2 VMT Requirements

The VMTs must replicate hardware removal, replacement capabilities, and basic system familiarization. It will use an interactive 3D representation of the E-7 aircraft and be capable of replicating aircraft maintenance tasks. Examples of maintenance tasks that are required for the VMT to perform are:

• Airplane Jacking/Leveling/Weighing maintenance practices

• Towing, Taxiing, and Parking the Airplane

• Servicing Airplane on Fueling, Oil, potable water system and Hydraulic

Reservoir

• Repair and Replacement, Inspection Check

VMTs will be used for instructor-level maintenance training. Type 1 and 3 training and materials for maintenance personnel must be provided.

Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) and Spares. The Government intends to contract device production for a three-year production window proceeded by three (3) one-year option periods of maintenance and logistics. Planning for spares and obsolesces should be included.

Training System Support Center (TSSC). The contractor will be required to operate and maintain the TSSC at Tinker AFB.

Data Requirements. The contractor will be required to deliver all data, including source code.

Associate Contractor Agreements (ACAs). The contractor will potentially be required to have an ACA in place with the E-7 OEM by Jan 2027. The contract will require ACAs directed by the Government or deemed appropriate to meet the requirements of this acquisition.

Establish Concurrency Process. The contractor will be required to establish a process to integrate all technical disciplines (including engineering, configuration management, logistics, and test) to upgrade the training system, spares, and support equipment to ensure training is available to support these changes in the aircraft.

Engineering Change Proposal Modifications and Upgrades. The contractor will be required to accomplish minor/major concurrency and core trainer unique modifications/upgrades to the E-7 TS. These training system modifications and upgrade efforts may be executed through contract engineering change proposals (ECPs) and utilize an integrated aircraft and trainer development process to ensure the maximum commonality.

Contractor Facility Requirements. The contractor will be expected to maintain responsibility for the security and storage of the System Integration Lab (SIL) and accompany TSSC through the life of development and production.

Security Requirements. Personnel performing tasks for the E-7 Wedgetail Training System will be required to have access to information contained in technical data, films, specifications, and/or related equipment. The contractors are requested to provide the security level their facilities can develop, test and produce data. Due to the final location of the trainer, personnel will be required to hold/obtain an SCI clearance. Therefore, the selected contractor will be responsible for obtaining and maintaining the proper clearances. The contractor personnel assigned will be required to have a current background investigation and compatible level of access eligibility. The contractor personnel must possess clearance and site access prior to arrival on site. The contractor will be required to adhere to the principles of OPSEC as described in AFI 10-701 to reduce program vulnerability from successful adversary collection and exploitation of Critical Information (CI). The contractor review/comply with E-7 platform and simulator Security Classification Guides (SCG(s)), and Program Protection Plans (PPP (s)) as required.

Contract Specifications. The contract will commence on or about the 3rd Quarter of CY27. The Government anticipates contract period of performance to be a three-year device production window proceeded by three (3) one-year CLS option periods. The Government anticipates the use of:

• Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs): CLS and TSSC work, contract transition, and minor modifications/upgrades.

• Fixed Price Incentive Firm (FPIF) CLINs: Major modifications/upgrades and development efforts (e.g., new trainers).

• Cost Plus Fixed Fee and/or Cost Plus Incentive Fee – Device Development and Production.

• Cost Reimbursable CLINs: Travel and studies/analysis tasks.

2.2 Capability Assessment/RFI Response

The Government is assessing industry to determine whether these efforts will be set aside. It is advised that your company provide a sufficient response to all capability questions to allow the Government to appropriately assess your company’s capabilities.

2.3 General Information

In your response, please provide the following general information for your company/institution and for any teaming partners:

1. Company/Institute Name, Address, Point of Contact, Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code, Phone Number, E-mail address and Web Page URL.

2. Please provide the following cross-program and training system specific capability information for your company and for any teaming partners. If a responding company is capable of some, but not all, of the consolidated requirements stated, please provide a response that explains the requirements for which you are capable.

3. Please summarize how Subject Matter Experts for all critical areas of simulation development and testing will be utilized. Additionally, how industry would plan, design, develop/build, test, deploy and sustain all system products and conduct activities in accordance with Federal, Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS), Department of Defense (DoD), and Air Force (AF) Cybersecurity policy, guidance, and standards.

Provide a technical summary that meets the requirements listed within this RFI, capture the assumptions, and a ROM (Rough order of Magnitude) that includes cost and schedule.

4. If subcontracts or teaming are anticipated to be used, provide a reasonable expectation for both small and other than small business utilization as a percent of total task order value. Provide specific details on how your company will comply with RFO clause 52.219-14, Limitations to Subcontracting. Delineate the small business utilization percentage and provide rationale for the recommended percentage. Teaming and/or subcontracting arrangements should be clearly stated, and previous experience in teaming must be provided.

5. Please list what data do you require from the Government to assemble a proposal for this effort?

6. Describe your capability to adhere to the security requirements stated in paragraph 2.1.1 (Security Requirements).

7. Describe the major risks you foresee in executing an effort of this scope. What steps will you likely take to mitigate these risks?

8. Does your company require GFE/GFP/GFI in order to deliver your Trainer Device? If so, what format, packages, and timelines for delivery to reduce schedule risk?

9. Describe your company’s experience relevant to the development, production and sustainment of simulators and maintaining concurrency with multiple aircraft modernization efforts during development and production. Provide recent and/or current contract numbers for related to this experience.

10. Describe your company’s experience preparing for and supporting the Air Force Simulator Certification (SIMCERT) process for Level-D equivalent devices.

All programmatic questions will be addressed to the Government PCO, and there will be an Industry Day scheduled for a near future date.

2.4 Submittal Instructions

Direct and concise responses are preferred. Marketing material is considered an insufficient response to this Capability Assessment/RFI. Please use the following file-naming convention:

<<Company Name>> <<Program Name>> RFI Response. Limit responses to electronic submissions no more than twenty (20) 8.5”x11” pages for all programs in total, using Word or PDF format. This includes all graphs and charts. A point of contact that can represent your company should be identified to answer further Government inquiries and provide explanations that might be needed with regard to the information provided. Respondents should indicate which portions, if any, of their response are proprietary and should mark them accordingly.

Formal responses should be submitted via electronic submission through to the following individuals:

Primary Contracting Officer Mr. Ryan Masin at ryan.masin.1@us.af.mil Contracting Officer 1st Lt Nikita Smith at nikita.smith.3@us.af.mil Contracts Manager Mr. Ryan Engelman at ryan.engelman@us.af.mil

Further questions may be e-mailed to Ryan.Masin.1@us.af.mil and Laura.Pineda.1@us.af.mil.

Responses are due NLT 11:59 PM Dayton, Ohio time, 26 August 2026. The Government may converse with respondents regarding this RFI. Such conversations are intended to clarify potential capability to perform the requirements.

mailto:ryan.masin.1@us.af.mil mailto:nikita.smith.3@us.af.mil mailto:ryan.engelman@us.af.mil