RFI_AWWP_20May26.pdf

AWWP FA8628-27-C-B001 Page 1 of 6

Request for Information (RFI) For

B-52 Advanced Wing Weapons Pylon (AWWP)

FA8628-27-C-B001

20 May 2026

1.0 Description

The Government is conducting market research to identify companies that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements of a contract supporting the United States Air Force. Physical work locations may vary, and interested parties must be willing and able to travel. The market research from this RFI will help in determining the Government's Acquisition Strategy. Small businesses are highly encouraged to participate in this RFI.

The B-52 program is conducting market research to identify potential providers capable of delivering accelerated pylon designs and modifying current carriage equipment.

The Government currently estimates a timeframe of 36 months resulting in a design that meets customer approval at Critical Design Review (CDR) for a replacement weapons release pylon (incorporating heavy weapon 1760E series capability) ready to integrate onto the aircraft with required support equipment. However, the Government requests industry feedback on the feasibility of this timeline. Following completion, the AWWP must enter production with an initial requirement of 20-24 pylons, with a minimum of 12 to be delivered within the first year of production, and an anticipated long-term requirement for approximately 130 pylons.

2.0 Background

The current Improved Common Pylon (ICP) provides conventional and 1760E weapons carry and release capabilities for the B-52H weapons. The ICP was designed in 1959 and has been in service since the 1960s. When it was introduced, there wasn't a requirement, nor did anyone foresee a need to carry weapons heavier than 5,000 lbs. It was modified in the late 1990s to incorporate MIL-STD-1760E technology into the current ICP configuration and has performed exceptionally well. Although it has met all expectations to this point, it has limitations regarding heavy weight capacity, including questionable structural integrity under modern loads. With current heavy weapons exceeding 5,000 lbs., there is a new requirement for a replacement external carriage pylon assembly to facilitate these and other emerging needs.

3.0 Company Information and Business Capabilities

Item # Information Requested

3.1 Company

Identification

Provide Company Name, CAGE Code/DUNS, Address, Web Page URL, and Point of Contact details (Name, Phone, Email).

3.2 Socioeconomic Status

Identify business size pursuant to NAICS 336411 (size standard 1,500 employees). Note if your company is a Small Business, WOSB, EDWOSB, SDB, 8(a), HUBZone, VOSB, or SDVOSB.

AWWP FA8628-27-C-B001 Page 2 of 6

3.3 Ownership &

Teaming

State if your company is domestically or foreign-owned/controlled (identify country if foreign). Indicate if you intend to submit as the Project Level Performer (PLP) or a subcontractor (identify the PLP if subcontracting).

3.4 Quality &

Compliance

Describe QA system compliance with ANSI/ASQ Q9001 and SAE AS9100.

Confirm compliance with the Arms Export Control Act (Title 22, U.S.C., Sec 2751).

3.5 Pricing &

Warranties

Describe your ability to utilize variable pricing/quantity discounts. State if you offer standard warranties (covering parts, labor, tech support) and the standard duration.

3.6 Tradeoffs &

Risk

Provide comments on opportunities for technical/cost tradeoffs. Identify any areas in these specifications presenting excessive cost, schedule, or performance risks, and suggest mitigations.

3.7 Past

Performance

Provide examples of past performance on contracts with similar scope, size, and complexity. Include references if available.

4.0 AWWP Capabilities

4.1 Mass Properties and Carriage Configurations

4.1.1 Gross Weight

Limit

Interested parties must demonstrate the capability to design an external pylon such that the combined pylon and stores overall weight does not exceed the 28,000 lb. wing hardpoint limit.

4.1.2 Carriage

Loadouts

The pylon must be capable of carriage and employment of the following store configurations:

(a) Eight 2,600 lb. class munitions;

(b) Six 3,400 lb. class munitions;

(c) Four 5,000 lb. class munitions;

(d) Three 7,500 lb. class munitions;

(e) Two 11,000 lb. class munitions; OR

(f) A single 20,000 lb. class munition.

4.1.3 Small/Medium Store Interface

For configurations 4.1.2(a) through (c), describe your approach to utilizing the current MAU-12 Bomb Ejector Rack already qualified for existing stores.

4.1.4 Heavy Store

Interface

For configuration 4.1.2(d) through (f), identify your proposed solution (e.g., development of a new rack or utilization of an existing heavy rack) capable of carriage and employment up to 20,000 lb. class munition with the new pylon.

4.1.5 Dual Capability Pylon must be conventional & nuclear certified.

AWWP FA8628-27-C-B001 Page 3 of 6

4.2 Electrical Integration and Interface Requirements

4.2.1 Interference & Hardening

Pylon and stores must not cause physical or electromagnetic interference with aircraft Line Replaceable Units (LRUs), structures, engines, or control surfaces. Describe your approach to meeting electrical hardening and shielding requirements.

4.2.2 Power

Distribution

Discuss the capability of the proposed pylon to provide regulated store power to all stations in each respective mission configuration as outlined in 4.1.2.

4.2.3 Interface Expertise

Demonstrate a technical understanding of the electronics used to communicate with MIL-STD-1760E weapons, including aircraft electrical power, data buses, GPS RF signals, EMI, lightning, and grounding/bonding.

4.3 Testing and Certification

4.3.1 Qualification Standards

Demonstrate capability to qualify the pylon/release equipment to B- 52 environmental and flight requirements following:

a) MIL-STD-8591,

b) MIL-STD-810,

c) MIL-HDBK-1763,

d) MIL-STD-1289, and

e) MIL-STD-2088.

4.3.2 Aircraft

Impact Assessments

Describe capability to conduct assessments ensuring no detrimental impacts to B-52 weight and balance, flutter, stability/control, and structural stress/loads.

4.3.3 Test

Experience & Airworthiness

Detail relevant ground/flight test experience to include supporting B- 52 airworthiness certification as cited in MIL-HDBK-516C.

4.3.4 Platform

Experience

Describe experience collaborating with industry partners who are integrating on the B-52 platform.

4.3.5 Digital

Engineering & Pubs

Describe digital engineering practices (e.g., 3-D modeling traceability, common drawing trees). Detail experience developing technical orders, schematic packages, and Operations & Maintenance manuals.

4.4 Production and Installation

4.4.1 Production

Capacity

Demonstrate the supplier base capability to assemble and fabricate the equipment required for an initial 20-24 pylons and subsequent production runs.

AWWP FA8628-27-C-B001 Page 4 of 6

4.4.2 Ground

Support Equipment

Discuss the capability to design and produce ground support equipment required to load, unload, and enable carriage of the pylon on the B-52, which must take into account the mobility of the ground support equipment itself.

4.4.3 Mechanical Interface

Confirm ability to design for the specific B-52 current wing attachment point configuration.

5.0 Program Management

Interested parties must provide evidence of Program Management and Systems Engineering Management support activities, including:

5.1 Program

Controls & EVM

Detail your Earned Value Management (EVM) capability. Describe your capability to create, manage, and maintain an Integrated Master Plan and Schedule (IMP/IMS) for complex aerospace projects.

5.2 Configuration

Management

Describe your capability to execute configuration and data management, including the generation and storage of unclassified Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) and Data Accession List (DAL) items.

5.3 Counterfeit

Prevention

Confirm you possess and utilize a Counterfeit Prevention Plan (CPP) compliant with SAE AS5553.

5.4 Obsolescence

& Support

Detail your proactive Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) management program. Describe experience forecasting usage rates and providing Interim Contractor Support (ICS).

6.0 Technical Data

Interested parties must provide a detailed response to the following technical data inquiries to assist the Government in developing an effective acquisition and sustainment strategy:

6.1 Expected Rights

Levels

Describe the level of data rights (e.g., Unlimited, Government Purpose, Limited) your company would expect to provide for the schematics, engineering drawings, and technical data resulting from this effort.

6.2 Proprietary

Identification

Identify any pre-existing proprietary technology, components, or schematics that would be integrated into this solution and would likely be delivered with less than Unlimited Rights.

6.3 Sustainment

Approach

Discuss your approach to providing the Government with sufficient Technical Data to support organic (in-house) or third-party sustainment, maintenance, and repair of the end product.

6.4 Negotiated

Licenses

If the proposed solution relies on privately developed technology (Limited Rights), indicate if the Government is able to purchase specifically negotiated license rights for the schematics.

AWWP FA8628-27-C-B001 Page 5 of 6

6.5 Cost Impact Provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost impact for the purchase of any specifically negotiated license and data rights mentioned in item 6.4.

7.0 Security and Cybersecurity

The Government requires the proposed solution and the interested party to meet specific security standards to protect mission-critical information and ensure system resilience.

Interested parties must address the following:

7.1 CMMC

Compliance

Describe your company’s current CMMC level or progress toward compliance with NIST SP 800-171. Provide the date of your last assessment.

7.2 System

Resilience

Describe cybersecurity features inherent in the proposed product design (e.g., encryption, hardware trust, tamper resistance) and ability to operate in contested environments.

7.3 Facility &

Personnel Security

Identify your company’s current Facility Clearance (FCL) level. Confirm availability of personnel with active Secret or TS/SCI clearances and ability to process CUI.

7.4 Supply Chain

Risk (SCRM)

Discuss your approach to mitigating supply chain risks, specifically regarding sourcing microelectronics from "covered" countries.

7.5 Authorization to

Operate

Identify if the proposed solution currently has an ATO on any DoD or federal network, including the Authorizing Official (AO) and RMF status.

8.0 Submission Information

8.1 Format & Submission Must:

a) Be submitted electronically as a MS Word or Adobe PDF format,

b) Be no more than 20 single-sided pages,

c) Utilize 12-point Times New Roman font and have 1-inch margins, and

d) Include the Project Number and Project

Title in the subject line or title.

8.2 Response Content Provide detailed responses to the tables and requirements outlined in Sections 3.0 through

7.0. Highlight experience with fixed-wing military

aircraft, specifically the B-52.

8.3 Deadline Responses are due by 20 July 2026 no later

than 5:00 PM EDT. Ensure all submissions include the Project Number and Title in the subject line.

AWWP FA8628-27-C-B001 Page 6 of 6

Disclaimer: This is a Request for Information (RFI) only and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that will result in procurement action. This RFI is not a Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quotation (RFQ), or Invitation for Bid (IFB). It is not to be construed as a formal solicitation or an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. Any unsolicited pricing proposals, quotes, or generic promotional marketing material submitted in response to this notice are not requested, will not be evaluated, and will not receive a response. The Government will not pay respondents for information or administrative costs incurred. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation. The Government reserves the right to contact the submitting parties, on an as-required basis, for further clarification on material provided.

9.0 Administration

USG is not responsible for undelivered documents. Contractors are responsible for confirming the receipt by contacting USG POCs.

If additional information is needed, please reach out directly to the points of contact below. The Project Number and Project Title must be in the subject line or title.

Contracting Specialist: Ms. Ashley Gray AFLCMC/WBDK B-52 Branch ashley.gray.9@us.af.mil

Contracting Officer: Mr. Matthew Lesko AFLCMC/WBDK B-52 Branch matthew.lesko@us.af.mil mailto:ashley.gray.9@us.af.mil mailto:matthew.lesko@us.af.mil