Final - BoD and Roadmap RFI - CAO 20241202.pdf

(U) Air Force PEO Propulsion, Propulsion Acquisition Division

(U) 1st Request for Information (RFI 1) Agency: Department of the Air Force Office: Air Force Material Command

Location: AFLCMC-Air Force Life Cycle Management Center mailto:patrick.conrad.5@us.af.mil mailto:patrick.conrad.5@us.af.mil mailto:elena.james.3@us.af.mil mailto:elena.james.3@us.af.mil https://safe.apps.mil/

(U) Purpose

(U) THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY.

(U) The United States Air Force Program Executive Office (PEO) Propulsion is seeking input from industry partners on how the Department of Defense (DoD) can effectively align its support with your business processes and internal investments to accelerate the development of advanced propulsion systems.

(U) This RFI is issued solely for informational and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future.

This request for information does not commit the USG to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the US Air Force is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the USG will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense.

Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if issued.

If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Sam.gov website. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

(U) Instructions

(U) Please provide written answers to the following questions. Answers to these questions may be proprietary, and if so, should be marked as such to keep this information controlled unclassified information with distribution authorized to DoD Components only (Distribution Statement E). Responses may also be submitted at multiple caveats and must be properly marked.

(U) Written responses shall be limited to no more than twenty (20) 8.5X11-inch pages, 1-inch margins, Times New Roman 12-point font. (*Data assertions list will not be counted against the twenty-page limit).

(U) Written responses (electronic or hard copy) must be received no later than 6:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on 15 January 2025.

(U) UNCLASSIFIED//CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION (CUI) responses must be electronically submitted to the Government’s Procurement Contracting Officers (PCOs) through DoD SAFE (https://safe.apps.mil/) by requesting a drop-off to devon.banks@us.af.mil AND tanner.alley@us.af.mil.

(U) Parties providing CLASSIFIED responses to this RFI MUST first send an UNCLASSIFIED email to devon.banks@us.af.mil AND tanner.alley@us.af.mil to request information for submission on classified information systems.

(U) Executive Summary

(U) The United States Air Force PEO Propulsion is seeking input from industry partners on how the DoD can effectively align its support with your business processes and internal investments to accelerate the development of advanced propulsion systems.

The DoD recognizes the importance of a collaborative approach to meeting both current and future propulsion needs. As such, we are committed to fostering an environment that enables industry innovation, reduces barriers, and promotes sustainable development practices in propulsion technologies.

(U) Your insights will help shape strategies, policies, and initiatives aimed at creating a supportive framework for propulsion advancements. We are particularly interested in understanding specific areas where government processes and investments could be better aligned with your research and development (R&D) timelines, risk management considerations, and commercialization pathways.

(U) This RFI focuses on how the Propulsion Enterprise can collectively overcome blind spots and efficiently request pertinent information necessary to achieve Air Force objectives and advancements in technology.

(U) To facilitate your feedback, we ask that you respond to the following questions:

1. What specific areas of government policy or process could be adjusted to better align with your business cycle and R&D timelines in propulsion development?

a. PEO Propulsion seeks to better synchronize its propulsion acquisition, funding, and development processes with industry schedules to reduce gaps and minimize delays. Understanding where current policies may impose limitations on your timelines will help us streamline interactions and better support program success.

2. How can PEO Propulsion enhance its investment strategies to complement your internal R&D and long-term strategic goals?

a. We recognize that significant internal investment from industry is critical to advancing propulsion technology. We want to ensure our funding initiatives and project priorities can complement rather than duplicate or diverge from your own R&D efforts. Insights into your strategic goals and how government investments could amplify your work are essential to structuring our programs effectively.

3. What types of risk-sharing mechanisms or funding structures would make collaboration more feasible and sustainable?

a. Developing advanced propulsion technologies often requires significant up-front investments with long timelines and complex risks. PEO Propulsion is interested in exploring risk-sharing models and innovative funding structures that align with industry’s risk tolerance and support co-investment. Feedback on effective mechanisms from your perspective will assist us in designing support programs that are mutually beneficial.

4. Are there specific regulatory or compliance challenges that hinder collaboration or delay development timelines?

a. Regulatory and compliance requirements are essential for security and quality, but we recognize they can create burdens if not aligned with industry processes. Understanding which areas present the most significant challenges allows us to explore potential process improvements or exemptions that could streamline collaboration without compromising standards.

5. How can PEO Propulsion best engage with you during early development stages to ensure alignment with your technical and business objectives?

a. Engaging with industry early in the development process helps both parties set realistic goals, align expectations, and clarify technical requirements. Feedback on preferred methods for early-stage collaborations, including types of engagements or communication structures that have proven effective, will be invaluable in shaping our interaction model.

6. What advancements, efficiencies or approaches would you suggest accelerating needle-moving propulsion in new and legacy fleets?

a. PEO Propulsion recognizes that industry expertise and insights are a part of a critical collaboration to identifying technologies, methods, and solutions to propel propulsion systems to further the gap with near peer adversaries. We invite you to provide up to three brief summaries of proposed solutions with an overview of forecasted, measurable benefits and potential application in new and/or legacy fleets. Topics may include, but are not limited to, improved fuel efficiency, increased power density, reduced weight, advanced materials or modification, ideas to lower production and/or sustainment expenses and/or speed up timelines.

Selected respondents may be invited to discuss their ideas in further detail with DoD representatives at a future industry engagement event.

Please provide your responses by 6:00 PM EDT on 15 January 2025 to allow us time to review and incorporate your feedback into upcoming planning cycles. We appreciate your participation in this RFI and your ongoing commitment to supporting the Air Force’s propulsion needs. Your insights will be invaluable as we work to enhance our support structures and ensure alignment with the industry’s critical role in achieving our propulsion objectives.