KC-46ATS Request for Information_15 Jan 26.pdf

Training Systems Acquisition (TSA) IV

Capability Assessment

KC-46 Aircrew Training Systems (ATS) Request for

Information (RFI)

15 January 2026

Prepared By:

Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, PEO Training Directorate (AFLCMC/WN) Simulators Division (AFLCMC/WNS)

1.0 INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE

This Request for Information (RFI)/Capability Assessment is issued by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Simulators Division (WNS), in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.215-3. It is for planning and market research purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. The Government does not intend to award a contract based on responses to this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information solicited.

This RFI is being conducted to assess industry's capability to provide full contract support for the KC- 46 Aircrew Training System (ATS) for up to a 16-month interim period, beginning 1 January 2027.

This effort is intended to serve as a bridge between the expiration of the current contract and the competitive award of a longer, more extensive follow-on contract.

2.0 BACKGROUND

The KC-46 ATS provides initial, upgrade, and continuation training for pilots and boom operators.

The system is comprised of high-fidelity training devices, including the Weapon System Trainer (WST), Boom Operator Trainer (BOT), Fuselage Trainer (FuT), and various part-task trainers, located across multiple operating bases. The scope of support includes, but is not limited to, Contractor Logistics Support (CLS), instructional services, cybersecurity, and the operation of a Training System Support Center (TSSC) to manage program data and maintain concurrency with the KC-46 aircraft.

The Government is currently planning for a full and open competition for the follow-on contract for KC-46 ATS and Maintenance Training System (MTS) support. This RFI is solely to investigate the viability of the industrial base to support an up to a 16-month interim period between the end of the current contract and the start of the new competitively awarded contract.

Vendors should be aware of the following program status and conditions:

Incomplete Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD): The KC-46 program remains in EMD, with incomplete requirements. At present, there are 526 open Requirements Traceability Verification Matrix (RTVM) requirements across the program.

Lack of a Formal Software Baseline: A definitive software baseline for the training systems has not been formally established.

Incomplete Technical Data Package (TDP): The Government possesses an incomplete TDP.

Furthermore, a significant portion of the existing data is proprietary and may be un-releasable due to data rights limitations. Respondents must formulate their capabilities and plans based on the assumption that a complete, Government-owned TDP will not be available.

3.0 SCOPE OF REQUIREMENT

The Government is seeking information on industry's ability to assume full responsibility for the KC- 46 ATS Operations, Maintenance, and Sustainment (OM&S) contract requirements currently in place.

The period of performance for this effort will begin on 1 January 2027 for a duration of up to 16 months.

The primary objective is to ensure a seamless continuation of all training operations without any degradation of support, availability, or instructional fidelity during the transition and subsequent period of performance.

Key required support functions include, but are not limited to:

Full Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) for all training devices and support equipment to a 98% availability standard.

Operation and full staffing of the TSSC at Altus AFB and the Engineering Support Center (ESC) at McConnell AFB.

Management of all system and courseware concurrency with the aircraft.

Provision of instructional services and scheduling to meet student throughput requirements.

Sustainment of all cybersecurity requirements and maintenance of existing Authorizations to

Operate (ATO).

Management of Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) and obsolescence issues.

4.0 INFORMATION REQUESTED

Please provide detailed responses to the following questions. Your responses should be specific and demonstrate a clear understanding of the challenges and a viable approach to execution.

4.1. Transition and Stand-Up Capability

Describe your detailed plan and timeline to achieve full performance capability by 1 January 2027, assuming a contract award 90 days prior. The plan must ensure no disruption to student training or device availability.

Detail your approach to staffing, including recruitment, training, and certification of all required personnel (technicians, instructors, cybersecurity staff, etc.) to ensure all sites are fully supported on day one.

Describe the process for assuming responsibility for all Government Furnished Property (GFP) and program data from the incumbent contractor in a compressed timeframe.

4.2. Technical Performance and Data Rights Mitigation

Describe your plan to interface and collaborate with the incumbent contractor. This plan must detail how you will accommodate the incumbent's work to complete the final EMD configuration roll-out across all devices. Specifically, address how you will manage scheduling, de-conflict resources, and maintain all sustainment requirements, including the 98% device availability standard, during this period of concurrent activity.

Given the incomplete and potentially proprietary nature of the TDP, describe your specific strategy for executing the full scope of OM&S. How will you perform troubleshooting, modifications, and concurrency updates without complete technical documentation?

Detail your company’s approach to securing the necessary technical information or developing alternative solutions to maintain the training system. Address how you would collaborate with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and data rights holders (e.g., Boeing, Flight Safety International) to resolve technical issues.

4.3. Program and Schedule Management

Provide a high-level Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) for your proposed period of performance (not to exceed 16 months). The schedule should detail major activities for the initial transition and subsequent sustainment operations.

Describe in detail how your company will ensure schedule control and mitigate the risk of performance degradation while operating under the significant technical data constraints described in Section 2.0.

Based on the required scope, provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimate for your proposed period of performance.

4.4. Risk Assessment

Identify the top three program risks (cost, schedule, or performance) your company associates with this specific, up to 16-month effort.

For each risk identified, describe its potential impact on training operations and provide a detailed mitigation strategy.

5.0 RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS

Responses should be submitted in Microsoft Word or PDF format and are limited to 15 pages.

Mark any proprietary information clearly.

Please submit responses electronically to dasia.johnson@us.af.mil, corey.rucker@us.af.mil, and william.durocher.1@us.af.mil no later than 1200 EST on Friday, 23 Jan 26.