RFI MFAT Drifire 06.25.26.pdf

Request For Information (RFI) Guide For FAR 6.302-1 Acquisition Efforts

25 June 2026

Advanced Technology Anti-Gravity Suit (ATAGS) Material Obsolescence Effort - First Article Testing (FAT)

CAUTION:

The Government is conducting market research to identify potential sources that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements for the First Article Testing (FAT) for the Material Obsolescence Effort of the Advanced Technology Anti Gravity Suit, also known as (ATAGS) and Legacy G-Suits formally known as (CUS-13 B/P). The formal and technical name for ATAGS are the CSU-22/P and CSU-23/P suits. Contractors/Institutions responding to this market research are placed on notice that participation in this survey may not ensure participation in future solicitations or contract awards. The government will not reimburse participants for any expenses associated with their participation in this survey. The level of security clearance and amount of foreign participation in this requirement has not been determined.

Contractor shall furnish all material, support equipment, tools, test equipment, and services. The contractor is responsible for providing, maintaining, and calibrating all support equipment required at their facility or a subcontractor’s facility. Contractor furnished material or parts used for

1. Below is a document containing a description of the G-Suit assembly requirements and a

Contractor Capability Survey, which allows you to provide your company’s capability.

2. The Government has detailed drawings, models, associated lists, specifications, standards, quality assurance provisions, performance specifications standards, or software documentations for the modified ATAGS items listed in Section B of this document. 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Vinyl Technology LLC. is the only USAF engineering source approved manufacturer IAW AFMC Form 761, 20060602, V1. AMC/AMSC Screen Analysis Worksheet (SAW) for the ATAGS and the Legacy Anti-G Suit. The SAW states, "The critical application of ATAGS & Legacy G-Suits requires pre-qualifications of any perspective supplier by the cognizant government engineering activity. Solicitation must be approved sources only. Action taken/being taken to improve competitive status pre-qualifications will be necessary for sources other than those already approved." Pre-qualifications requirements have been established for sources wishing to qualify IAW (1) MSF880/5-ATP-GEN-0 REV B and (2) DoDM 4120.24 (SD-6), Defense Standardization Program. Specifically, facility/manufacturing qualifications for the SAW are met by the completion and approval of DoDM 4120.24 (SD-6), Defense Standardization Program. In addition, ATAGS qualifications are met IAW MSF880/5-ATP-GEN-0 REV B. This modification will drive a new Part number, National Stock Number (NSN), and SAW updates. Legacy qualifications are outlined in ATP - MIL-DTL-83406E (USAF.) Requirements for this SPEC MIL-DTL-83406E (USAF) The Government owns the legacy G-Suit Technical Data Package (TDP) and Vinyl Technologies LLC. is also an Engineering Source Approved (ESA) for this system. Vinyl Technologies LLC. has met all qualification requirements IAW (1) MSF880/5-ATP-GEN-0 REV B and (2) DoDM 4120.24 (SD-6), Defense Standardization Program. Specifically, facility/ manufacturing qualifications for the SAW are met by the successful completion and approval of DoDM 4120.24 (SD-6), Defense Standardization Program. The G-suit/s production/First Article Testing (FAT) qualifications are met by the successful completion and approval of the ESA. As implemented by FAR 9.202(e): The contracting officer need not delay a proposed award in order to provide a potential offeror with an opportunity to demonstrate its ability to meet the standards specified for qualification. In addition, when approved by the head of an agency or designee, a procurement need not be delayed in order to comply with paragraph (a) of this section.

3. If after reviewing these documents, you desire to participate in the Sources Sought, you should provide documentation that supports your company’s capability in meeting these requirements.

Failure to provide documentation may result in the government being unable to adequately assess your capabilities. If you lack sufficient experience in a particular area, please provide details explaining how you would overcome the lack of experience/capabilities in order to perform that portion of the requirement (i.e., teaming, subcontracting, etc.)

a. Identify any areas of work that your organization believes should be broken out exclusively for Small Business.

b. No set aside decision has been made; however, the Government will determine the final strategy after thorough analysis of the small business responses and other market research available, considering the demonstrated interest and capability. Please ensure that you provide a thorough response to each question. If your company does not currently possess the full capability required to fulfill the entire requirement, what teaming/partnership/joint venture/subcontracting arrangement do you have in place to fulfill the government needs? Providing evidence of this arrangement, e.g. emails, letter, etc. that demonstrates a united response to this RFI is highly encouraged, but not required. The evidence should state the type of arrangement and the role each member will fulfill. If you are only interested in being a subcontractor to the future awardee, state the portion of the work that your organization has capability of fulfilling.

4. Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this Market Research. Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are encouraged.

5. Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to:

Gail Bembry, email: gail.bembry.1@us.af.mil, phone number: 478-222-7406, Audra Brown, email: audra.brown@us.af.mil, phone number 478-926-8209, and Alexis Davis, email: alexis.davis.13@us.af.mil, phone number 478-222-1351.

6. Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to PCO:

Alexis Davis, email: alexis.davis.13@us.af.mil, phone number 478-222-1351, and Audra Brown, email: audra.brown@us.af.mil, phone number 478-926-8209

INSTRUCTIONS:

Anti-Gravity Suits

PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION

The government is conducting market research to identify potential sources to meet a modification capability for modified ATAGS CSU-22/P (NSN 8475-01-695-4642 8475-01-695-4640, and 8475-01-695-4644) assemblies (trousers and bladder assembly - Table 1) and Legacy G-Suit CSU13 B/P NSN 8475-00-545-8211, 8475-00-550-7394, and 8475-00-545-8248 assemblies (trousers and bladder assembly - Table 2.) The critical application of ATAGS requires pre-qualification of any perspective supplier by the cognizant government engineering activity.

Solicitation must be approved sources only. As specified by the procuring agency, Pre-qualification requirements have been established for sources wishing to qualify IAW (1) MSF880/5-ATP-GEN-0 REV B and (2) Facility/manufacturing qualifications are met by the completion and approval of DoDM 4120.24 (SD-6), Defense Standardization Program. The government’s anticipated strategy is to successfully construct and complete Twelve (12) CSU-22/P ATAGS and Twelve (12) CSU-13 B/P Legacy G-Suits for First Article Testing (FAT) and create a final Scientific/Technical results reports. Specifications for the anti -gravity suits testing/s, materials, and shipping are outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW).

The proposed acquisition strategy is a one-time buy in fiscal year 2026. The anticipated North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) for this requirement is 315210 & 315990.

This Market Research is requesting responses to the following criteria from businesses that can provide the required services under the NAICS Codes.

This effort seeks to modify existing sustainment equipment integrity and maintain mission capability as related to anti-gravity suits. The Contractor shall submit First Article Testing (FAT) samples to be submitted for approval prior to the start of manufacture of production quantities. All samples shall be representative of the materials, the components, the construction and the workmanship that would be intended for use in production items In Accordance With (IAW) pre-qualifications requirement (1) MSF880/5-ATP-GEN-0 REV B, and (2) ATP - MIL-

DTL-83406E (USAF.)

There are no samples available for potential suppliers to evaluate. If necessary, potential contractors shall furnish all material, support equipment, tools, test equipment, and services needed to fill this order. The contractor is responsible for providing, maintaining, and calibrating all support equipment required at their facility or a subcontractor’s facility.

This effort is for the procurement of the (1) Advanced Technology Anti-Gravity Suit (ATAGS), which is a full coverage garment with bladders designed to counter G forces (or G-loc) experienced during maneuvers in high performance aircraft. (2) Legacy G-Suit CSU-13 B/P, which is a cutaway garment with bladders designed to counter G forces (or G-loc). Modified ATAGS mitigates fitting challenges, Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS), obsolescence and equipment degradation.

The Contractor shall manufacture the Modified ATAGS and Legacy G-Suits (CSU-13 B/P) for this Material Obsolescence Effort using the new Thinknsa DriFire Fortext 650 and Evaluate Textiles W5955 materials. All Modified ATAGS and CSU-13 B/P G-Suits will have a duplicate suit that has undergone the basic qualification testing which must follow MSF880/5-ATP-GEN-0 REV B where endurance testing is performed per ATP/ATAGS, and ATP - MIL-DTL-83406E (USAF) where endurance testing is performed per ATP/CSU-13 B/P.

TI.14-1:ENDURANCE TEST. The anticipated performance outcome of services rendered by the contractor will be the on-time delivery (to the Government) of each asset meeting the requirements and quality standards and in serviceable condition. The manufacturer shall develop/ produce/maintain and deliver the CSU-22/P ATAGS, and CSU 13 B/P In Accordance With (IAW) the Government's Technical Data Packages (TDP/s) that accurately depicts each final product/s.

NOUN NSN P/N NSN P/N

Trousers, Anti-G 8475-01-695-4631 CSU22P-20 8475-01-695-2500 CSU23P-20

Trousers, Anti-G 8475-01-695-4635 CSU22P-21 8475-01-695-2501 CSU23P-21 Trousers, Anti-G 8475-01-695-4636 CSU22P-22 8475-01-695-2505 CSU23P-22 Trousers, Anti-G 8475-01-695-4638 CSU22P-23 8475-01-695-2506 CSU23P-23 Trousers, Anti-G 8475-01-695-4639 CSU22P-24 8475-01-695-2507 CSU23P-24 Trousers, Anti-G 8475-01-695-4640 CSU22P-25 8475-01-695-2509 CSU23P-25 Trousers, Anti-G 8475-01-695-4642 CSU22P-26 8475-01-695-2508 CSU23P-26 Trousers, Anti-G 8475-01-695-4643 CSU22P-27 8475-01-695-2510 CSU23P-27 Trousers, Anti-G 8475-01-695-4644 CSU22P-28 8475-01-695-2512 CSU23P-28 Trousers, Anti-G 8475-01-695-4645 CSU22P-29 8475-01-695-2515 CSU23P-29 Trousers, Anti-G 8475-01-695-4646 CSU22P-30 8475-01-695-2513 CSU23P-30 Synergy Material FAB-0192 Non Recurring Engineering

Drawings/ Technical Data Package (TDP)

Table 2. Legacy G-Suits (CSU-13 B/P) Sizing Charts

Table 1. ATAGS Sizing Charts

Advanced Technology Anti-Gravity Suit (ATAGS) Part I. Business Information Please provide the following business information for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners:

• Company/Institute Name:

• Address:

• Point of Contact:

• CAGE Code:

• Phone Number:

• E-mail Address:

• Web Page URL:

• Government Proposed North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code:

541715 and 315990 Based on the Government proposed NAICS Code, state whether your company is:

• Small Business (Yes / No)

• Woman Owned Small Business (Yes / No)

• Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes / No)

• 8(a) Certified (Yes / No)

• HUBZone Certified (Yes / No)

• Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes / No)

• Service Disabled Veteran Small Business (Yes / No)

• System for Award Management (SAM) (Yes / No)

• A statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership).

Responses to the Capability Survey Part I and Part II must be received no later than close of business 12 Jun 26. Please ensure data is in a readable electronic format that can be received through a firewall. Attachments shall not to exceed 10 MB per email. Multiple emails are acceptable.

Responses must be sent via email to the following:

Please email your response to:

PCO: Alexis Davis, email: alexis.davis.13@us.af.mil, phone number 478-222-1351, Buyer: Audra Brown, email: audra.brown@us.af.mil, phone number 478-926-8209.

PM: Gail Bembry, email: gail.bembry.1@us.af.mil, phone number 478-222-7406.

Questions relative to this market research should be addressed to:

PCO: Alexis Davis, email: alexis.davis.13@us.af.mil, phone number 478-222-1351.

PM: Gail Bembry, email: gail.bembry.1@us.af.mil, phone number 478-222-7406.

(Yes / No) (Yes / No) (Yes / No) (Yes / No) (Yes / No) (Yes / No) (Yes / No) (Yes / No)

541715 315990

1392065551C Cross-Out

Part II. Capability Survey Questions

A. General Capability Questions:

1. Describe briefly the capabilities of your facility and nature of the goods and/or services you provide. Include a description of your staff composition and management structure.

2. Describe your company's past experience on previous projects similar in complexity with ATAGS and critical flight safety aircrew equipment for this requirement. Include contract numbers, a brief description of the work performed, period of performance, agency/organization supported, and individual point of contact (Contracting Officer or Program Manager). Has your company done any work specific to the ATAGS item currently in use, if so, please provide a general description of the completed work and results?

3. Describe your company's capabilities and experience in generating technical data, engineering drawings and manuals. Identify what software programs are utilized to generate these data products and what formats are available for delivered items.

4. What is your company’s current maximum capacity per month for this particular type of requirement? Provide information on any facility reserves you may possess to increase capacity in the event of an immediate need do to critical operational mission requirements.

What is the estimated repair time it may take your company to troubleshoot problems or issues with g-suits of different conditions resulting from the detailed Acceptance Test Procedures and requirements in acceptance criteria for Qualification Test, FAT, and Production Performance Test.

5. What quality assurance processes and test qualification practices does your company employ? Provide a description of your quality program (ISO 9001, AS9100, etc.).

6. Provide a detailed quality plan implementing ISO 9001 (or equivalent).

7. Describe if your personnel and facilities are able to handle Secret level clearance required for discussions with the Government about items being modified. Provide a description of on-site secure building areas to accomplish modifications (storage of assets) and if access to an on-site Special Access Program Facility (SAPF) is possible.

8. Describe your company’s analysis, design, and manufacturing (including tooling) on site capabilities and their relationship to your core business practices.

9. Describe your company’s ability to re-manufacturer parts during this modification that are found to be defective but have no current source of supply. This may include designing replacement parts and manufacturing them in house or designing the parts and creating tooling to manufacture them. Note: Substitute parts must go through first article inspection or test (FAI or FAT) and received approval for use by AFLCMC/ROUS Engineering prior to use on repaired items.

10. Describe your company’s good standing with records of past performance on United States Government (USG) contracts for items of similar or related nature.

B. Engineering Services Questions:

1. Describe your services capabilities and experience with regard to the requirements of this effort. How would you address endurance test failures?

2. Describe your capabilities and experience in developing/modifying procedures. Include associated upgrade of technical orders and preparation of new technical orders, drawings and a technical data package.

3. Demonstrate your ability and experience for the same or similar services, which are currently provided in the military environment by providing the following information on the same or similar items:

a) Contract Number

b) Procuring Agency

c) Contract Value

d) Services Provider

4. Describe your capabilities and experience in any required test, evaluation, and repair processes/procedures with regard to the required items. Do you have the capability in-house to do any of the following types of testing: endurance testing, leak testing, low pressure leakage testing, secondary restraint testing, and hose bladder strength testing?

5. Describe how you/your organization would handle repairing an item that comes in with one defect but in fact has several other defects discovered during disassembly.

6. Describe how you/your organization will identify and resolve parts obsolescence and diminishing manufacturing sources problems?

7. Does you/your organization have the ability to design tooling (if needed) in house to manufacture obsolete parts that are needed to repair if provided basic drawings from the Government?

8. Discuss your process for addressing any form, fit, and function issues that may arise out of the requirements of this effort.

9. Describe your process for maintaining inventory records and reporting hand/work-in-process balance and modification status to your customer as required.

10. How do you track status of items through your organization and what artifacts or summary sheets (or test reports) are provided to customers once items are within standards?

11. How will your organization address the absence of drawings, specifications, technical data, test procedures, etc.

12. Are you familiar with the deficiency reporting system several Department of Defense (DoD) branches use Joint Deficiency Reporting System (JDRS) and how deficiencies are reported and addressed if they occur following repair of items?