Sources Sought Magazine.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

AIR FORCE LIFE CYCLE MANAGEMENT CENTER

HILL AIR FORCE BASE UTAH

9 February 2026

Tracking No. FA8205-26-R-B002

MEMORANDUM FOR: All Qualified Vendors with SAM.gov Access

FROM: AFLCMC/WAU

5648 Foulois Rd, Bldg 688 Hill AFB, Utah 84056

SUBJECT: Request for Information (RFI) Countermeasure Magazines

1. This Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS)/Request for Information (RFI) is issued for informational purposes and market research only; it does not constitute a solicitation. The Government will not reimburse any company or individual for any expenses associated with preparing/submitting information in response to this posting. The information provided may be used by the Government in developing its acquisition strategy, statement of work/statement of objectives, and/or performance specifications. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained within their response as instructed later in this posting.

2. BACKGROUND AND SCOPE

The United States (US) Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Fighters and Advanced Aircraft F-22 Program Office (AFLCMC/WAU) is conducting market research to identify production of countermeasure flare magazines.

3. CAPABILITY GAP

Current magazines do not allow for the new inventory of flares, required to be carried during flight in combat. Additionally, rapid changes in capabilities and slow production timelines for magazines are hampering the ability for the aircraft to employ all required defensive countermeasures. The requested solution must carry the new flares in the required timeline.

a. System Requirements:

- The magazine shall be able to carry the MJU-68/B flare and interface with the AN/ALE-52 Dispensing System

- Quantity required: 846 magazines

- The magazine shall be qualified to airworthiness requirements IAW the F-22 Environmental

Control Document for certification purposes (including, but not limited to: salt-fog, vibration, gunfire, temperature extremes tests)

- Due to the time constraints, must be able to commence manufacturing by Oct 2026

- Must have a high quality CPAR Rating

4. INSTRUCTION TO POTENTIAL RESPONDENTS

Interested parties who desire to participate in this SSS/RFI are encouraged to submit responses that demonstrate they presently have the technology and qualifications to provide the system described above. Qualifications to be considered must also include the following information:

a. Respondent Data:

Company/Institute Name Address Point of Contact (to include phone number and email address) CAGE Code Web Page URL

Pursuant to NAICS Code 335910, Battery Manufacturing, state whether the company is:

Small Business (Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified Women-Owned Small Business Economically Disadvantaged Women-

(Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified

Owned Small Business (Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified HUBZone Certified (Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified Veteran Owned Small Business Service-Disabled Veteran Owned

(Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified

Small Business (Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified 8(a) Certified (Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified SBA Certification Date: SBA Graduation Date:

State whether the company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign, indicate the country of ownership).

State whether the respondent is interested in being a prime or subcontractor for this requirement.

b. Responses may include but are not limited to:

1) Pictures

2) Drawings

3) Associations or connectivity with other end items/systems

4) Test results to support meeting threshold and objective requirements

5) Ability to commence delivered magazines within 6 months after receipt of order

c. Rough cost estimate (i.e. rough order of magnitude (ROM)) based on an optimum or varied pricing quantities (this is for Government budget planning purposes and will not be considered a bid or binding in any manner).

d. Indicate whether the company is currently performing this type of work/whether the capability can be obtained under an existing Government contract. Provide the contract number(s) and Government points of contact accordingly.

e. Indicate whether the company currently provides this type of work as a commercial solution.

In this instance, “commercial item” means an item that is of a type customarily used by the general public or non-Governmental entities for purposes other than Governmental purposes.

Please indicate if this item has been sold, leased, or licensed to the general public; or has been offered for sale, lease, or license to the general public. Indicate whether all materials used are compliant with the Buy American Act or Berry Amendment (10 U.S.C. 2533a), as applicable.

f. Please include product warranty terms as applicable, along with any warranty limitations. If product warranty terms are not applicable, please include N/A.

g. Include any spare parts that would potentially be included.

h. Provide the details of New Equipment Training, including process and cost.

i. Describe any possible product improvements that could be made or are planned for the future for the solution.

j. Describe any risks associated with the fulfillment of this projected requirement. This can include technical or schedule risks associated with development, key performance parameters, etc.

k. Please provide specific details and rationale as to how compliance with FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, and FAR 52.219-33, Non-Manufacturer Rule, would be achieved in the event the Government sets this requirement aside for small business. Include specific details regarding teaming arrangements, etc. If subcontracts are to be used, provide the anticipated percentage of effort to be subcontracted and whether small or large businesses, including foreign, will be used. If this effort is not set-aside for small business, small business utilization will be considered. Large and small businesses should provide a reasonable expectation for small business utilization as a percentage of total contract value as well as supporting rationale for the recommended percentage.

5. RESPONSES, COMMUNICATIONS, AND ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS:

a. The Government may contact respondents to obtain additional information or clarification in order to fully understand a company's response. This may include discussions, site visits, demonstrations, etc. to further the Government's understanding of a proposed solution, as well as a company's understanding of the Government's requirements.

b. Responses shall not exceed 20 pages (including cover page). Include technical and descriptive text and photographs/illustrations to provide sufficient detail. The submitted documentation becomes the property of the United States Government and will not be returned.

c. Respondents shall clearly mark proprietary data with the appropriate markings. Any proprietary information received in response to this request will be properly protected from any unauthorized disclosure. Any material that is not marked will be considered publicly releasable.

d. Government-contracted contractor support personnel may handle proprietary data submitted in response to this RFI. These support personnel will have signed the same Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) as government personnel.

e. If you are currently providing your proposed capability on an existing government contract, please identify the contract and a government POC.

f. Broad industry participation for this RFI is encouraged. U.S. and non-U.S. firms are permitted to respond.

g. Please note that prospective contractors must be registered in the System for Award

Management (SAM) database to be awarded a DOD contract; the NAICS code for this requirement, if applicable to the company’s capabilities, should be included in the company’s NAICS code listing in SAM. To learn more about this SAM requirement and how to register, please visit the SAM website at: https://www.sam.gov/portal/SAM

h. Responses are due electronically by 12:00PM Eastern time on 9 March 2026 via email to:

Contracting Officer Program Manager Engineer

Heike Bell Justin Hall Joseph Horrocks

AFLCMC/WAUK AFLCMC/WAU AFLCMC/WAU

Heike.bell.1@us.af.mil Justin.hall.45@us.af.mil Joseph.horrocks@us.af.mil

i. This notice may be updated as additional information becomes available. Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by email to the Contracting Officer identified above, with the other individuals identified above copied as courtesy.

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only to identify potential sources for the solution. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Government has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as creating such a commitment or as an authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought.

https://www.sam.gov/portal/SAM mailto:Heike.bell.1@us.af.mil mailto:Justin.hall.45@us.af.mil