Solicitation N0042126R1007 RFIs - 10 June 2026.pdf

10 June 2026

Solicitation N0042126R1007 RFIs

1. What is the minimum small business participation commitment? 10% or 15?

Sections L and M have conflicting percentages.

a. Amendment 0001 to the solicitation updated Section L to correct the small business participation commitment to 15%.

2. Can "cabin / onboard aircraft," related to a manned aircraft, be synonymous with a Ground Control Station (GCS) for an unmanned aircraft?

a. The Government does not intend to provide advanced determinations regarding the acceptability, equivalency, or suitability of specific technical approaches, platforms configurations, or operational concepts in response to this inquiry. Offeror’s are responsible for proposing a solution that satisfies all solicitation requirements and for clearly demonstrating within their proposal how the proposed approach complies with the Performance Work Statement (PWS) and all applicable operational, safety, and performance requirements. Proposals will be evaluated on their own merits in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth in Sections L and M of this solicitation. The Government’s evaluation will consider the extent to which the Offeror demonstrates an understanding of, and capability to satisfy, the stated mission requirements.

3. Can contractor assume that safety equipment in regards to personnel onboard, is referring to applicable equipment in the Ground Control Station of the unmanned aircraft?

a. The Government does not intend to provide advanced determinations regarding the acceptability, equivalency, or suitability of specific technical approaches, platforms configurations, or operational concepts in response to this inquiry. Offeror’s are responsible for proposing a solution that satisfies all solicitation requirements and for clearly demonstrating within their proposal how the proposed approach complies with the Performance Work Statement (PWS) and all applicable operational, safety, and performance requirements. Proposals will be evaluated on their own merits in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth in Sections L and M of this solicitation. The Government’s evaluation will consider the extent to which the Offeror demonstrates an understanding of, and capability to satisfy, the stated mission requirements.

4. Would Government consider broadening the basing distance requirement if offeror could demonstrate substantial cost savings?

a. No, the basing distance requirement will not be changed.

5. To ensure accurate pricing, what is the estimated date of award or Period of Performance for this contract?

a. The resulting contract will be a 4-year, 365 day IDIQ from the date of award with a capability stand up period not to exceed 12 months. Flight performance will begin after capability stand up requirements are met, but an award date cannot be estimated due to uncertainties in the source selection process.

6. Is the airspeed envelope found in PWS Section 3.1.d. a range or are they minimum and maximum speeds the aircraft must be able to operate?

a. The airspeed envelope is a range based on sonobuoy launch altitude envelope requirements. Operation at airspeeds within that range is acceptable.

7. Which of the following (if any) will be required as part of offerors’ proposals submitted by the 22 June 2026 proposal deadline?

- Offeror registration in the SPRS system?

- Completion of CMMC 2.0 self-assessment in the SPRS system?

- Submission of a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) addressing any identified deficiencies resulting from the CMMC 2.0 self-assessment in the SPRS system?

- Meeting or exceeding the requirements of CMMC Level 2?

a. Offerors should indicate status of CMMC certification in Table CA-1 (Offeror

Business Systems Status) as part of their proposal (Ref: Section L). Appropriate CMMC certification is required at time of award (Ref: DFARS 204.7502). See 32 CFR 170.16 for CMMC Level 2 self-assessment and affirmation requirements.

8. Does “entire period of performance” described mean the deadline for meeting or exceeding CMMC Level 2 requirements is the expected award date of 17 Aug 2026 (ref. Solicitation, item LTXT.2159503), or is there a different deadline/date offerors should use?

a. Appropriate CMMC certification is required at time of award (Ref: DFARS 204.7502). See 32 CFR 170.16 for CMMC Level 2 self-assessment and affirmation requirements.

9. RFP Section L Page 3 states "The Offeror shall number all pages with volume, paragraph, and page numbers." We plan to number the pages using the format Volume-Page. So, Volume 2 Page 14 would be numbered as 2-14. Can the government clarify how it expects paragraph numbers to be included in the numbering of pages?

a. Paragraph numbering should be up to the offeror. Paragraph 3 of the RFP states:

“The Offeror shall present its proposal information in a manner that facilitates a one-for-one comparison between the information presented and these proposal instructions. Offerors shall structure proposal information such that the proposal paragraph numbers/letters correspond to the proposal instructions paragraph numbers/letters, although the Offeror may add lower tier sub paragraphs.”

10. RFP Section L Page 10 Section 2.1 Aircraft Performance Requirements seems to direct the offeror to address the requirements of PWS 3.1. There seems to be no specific instruction to address. PWS 3.2 Missions within Section L, except for the brief mention in the CRM table on Page 9. Please clarify if/where the Government expects the offeror to address PWS 3.2.

a. Only PWS 3.1 needs to be addressed. PWS 3.2 is the general description of mission profiles and the performance requirements are outlined in 3.1. Appendix E references this and is stated in the RFP: “For each T/M/S aircraft and sonobuoy launch system proposed for use on this contract, the Offeror shall substantiate how the aircraft and launch system will meet or exceed the performance requirements (including the listed equipment) described in PWS Section 3.0 and PWS Appendix E.”

11. Requesting technical data including dimensions, SLC connections, and compressed air launch limitations for Sonobuoy Launch Containers and Sonobuoys to be tested.

This is being requested to ensure sonobuoy launch system in development will meet technical, safety, and certification requirements.

a. In Amendment 0003 of the solicitation, Attachment (8) SLC Drawings (CUI) was added to Section J. Please refer to this version of the SAM.gov posting for instructions on how to receive CUI documents (https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/3f04e9a67d044551ab35724797144c9b/v iew)

12. Will the Sonobuoy Launch Containers (SLCs) referenced in the Solicitation function from the SLT depicted in the drawing?

a. The technical drawings were provided to show dimensions of the bare SLC for incorporation into the offeror’s proposed pneumatic launcher. The dimension drawings within the attachment show how the standard SLC interfaces with the breech ends of the various SLT’s or launch methods.

13. Is the store depicted in the drawing the same as the pneumatically-launched stores referenced in the Solicitation or is there a different drawing package that more accurately depicts the pneumatically-launched stores referenced in the Solicitation?

a. The drawing shows the dimensions of a bare SLC that can be used for determining the proper dimensions of the offeror’s proposed SLT. A pneumatic SLT is required.

14. Can you please provide the following for the SLT depicted in the drawing?

- part numbers of the SLT and its components

- illustrated Parts Breakdown (IPB)

- data including acceptable materials comprising the parts of the SLT depicted in the drawing

a. The SLT is to be proposed/provided by the offeror. The Government cannot provide details related to potential solutions.

15. Will the Government accept a Letter of Intent (LOI) to demonstrate the offeror’s intent to purchase the offered aircraft?

a. Per Section L, Part B “The Offeror shall provide proof of ownership for at least one (1) proposed aircraft by Type/Model/Series (T/M/S) and serial number for this solicitation. Alternatively, the Offeror may submit a signed lease agreement along with lease expiration date for at least one (1) aircraft by T/M/S and serial number to comply with this prerequisite. If the Offeror is leasing the aircraft, the Offeror shall further demonstrate that the lease allows the Offeror to modify the https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/3f04e9a67d044551ab35724797144c9b/view https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/3f04e9a67d044551ab35724797144c9b/view leased aircraft to comply with the PWS requirements.” An LOI would not satisfy that requirement.

16. Does the Government require Commercial Airlift Review Board (CARB) approval in order to transport DoD passengers and cargo in accordance with FAR Part 135?

DODI 4500.53 is referenced in the Appendix A – Applicable Documents. Does this mean that CARB is a requirement for this effort?

a. No, CARB approval is not a requirement for this effort. While DoDI 4500.53 is referenced as an applicable document, this contract is classified as Operational Support Services (rather than Air Transportation Services) because it involves Public Aircraft Operations (PAO) utilizing mission equipment (sonobuoys) with no passenger transport. In accordance with DoDI 4500.53 and 32 CFR § 861.3, commercial operators providing only operational support services do not require advance CARB approval. The contractor must, however, maintain the baseline FAA certifications (Part 91 or Part 135) and safety standards specified in the Performance Work Statement (PWS), and will be subject to safety oversight by the sponsoring Government component.

17. Because of the complexity of this requirement, will the Government please consider extending the proposal submission deadline by one week?

a. The Government does not intend on extending the proposal submission deadline.