RFI Source Sought (Rudder Actuator).pdf

RFI/Sources Sought

F-15 DEPOT ACTIVATION CAPABILITIES

2 December 2025

Federal Agency Name: Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, F-15 Directorate

(AFLCMC/WAQ)

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION: This Request for Information (RFI) will be utilized in acquisition planning for Depot Activation capabilities to support the F-15 Program. This RFI does not constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB), a Request for Proposal (RFP), or a Request for Quote (RFQ), nor does its issuance obligate or restrict the Government to an eventual acquisition approach. This RFI does not obligate the Government to issue a solicitation. This RFI is being conducted solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Neither unsolicited proposals nor any other kinds of offers will be considered in response to this request or accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. No solicitation document exists, and a formal solicitation may or may not be issued by the Government because of the responses to this RFI. The Government will not be liable for payment of any response preparation expenses and is not obligated by the information received.

Any costs incurred by interested companies in response to this announcement will NOT be reimbursed. The information provided may be used by the Department of the Air Force in developing future acquisition strategies. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained in their response.

1. Background and Scope

The F-15EX program is a multi-role weapon system that leverages more than $5B of foreign military sales investment and capability enhancements on an even more robust F-15 airframe.

This new advanced fighter aircraft will be replacing the existing F-15C/D fleet and augment an aging F-15E fleet. This system will be core for the Air Force.

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10, the F-15 Program Office (AFLCMC/WAQ) is conducting market research to identify potential sources capable of fielding Depot Activation capabilities. Specifically, this RFI seeks insight on information towards developing a Long-Term Support Strategy to improve supply chain efficiencies, material availability and supplier base for multiple LRU’s and their subcomponents for all Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). F-15EX will leverage to the max extent, when possible, to align with current F-15 sustainment. The plan is to utilize Key Performance Indicators to measure and incentivize awardee’s performance to meet critical goals in support of the warfighter mission.

2. Need Statement

Depot Activation is broadly defined in 10 USC Section 2460 as material maintenance or repair requiring the overhaul, upgrading, or rebuilding of parts, assemblies, or subassemblies, and the testing and reclamation of equipment as necessary. The objective of this depot activation program is to establish F-15EX organic maintenance capabilities while maximizing utilization of existing F-15 legacy assets. This contract will support Air Logistics Complex (ALC) stand-up through contractor identification of requirements and design/build/purchase of Specialized Test Equipment (STE), Test Program Sets (TPS), and Interface Test Adapters (ITAs) required for depot-level hardware testing and repair. The United States Air Force (USAF) will provide all Department of Defense (DoD) common support equipment for this activation effort. Due to proprietary restrictions on F-15/F-15EX Line Replaceable Units developed through private investment, complete technical data provision is limited by intellectual property rights, Last Time Buy (LTB) constraints, and licensing requirements for sensitive manufacturing processes and components.

This request for information focuses on the provision of the above-referenced Depot Activation capabilities for the F-15 EX’s current EX Rudder Servoactuator (Rudder Actuator) The repair and maintenance of the Rudder Actuator requires not only the Rudder Actuator itself but all associated parts/spares and the rights in technical data necessary to maintain and ensure the software used in the displays functions correctly to support verification of repairs at designated

ALC.

An Rudder Actuator is a flight control actuator which positions dual rudder aerodynamic control surfaces for a total deflection of ±30° at ±105°/second. This combination produces the forces and moments on the aircraft for yaw stability and control of the aircraft vehicle. The new EX Rudder Servoactuator is a fly-by-wire (FBW) type device and installed only in F-15EX aircraft. The left and right FBW Rudder Servoactuators each receive analog electrical signals from two channels of the Flight Control (System) Computers (FCC A & FCC B). The Primary Control Subsystem of the FCS provides for automatic flight control modes. The FCC receive aircrew flight control commands from the pilot control stick and rudder pedal position sensors and translates in electrical flight control signals to control surface actuators. The new all electric FCS replaced the F-15 legacy limited-authority Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS). The Contractor’s plan for work will be coordinated through the F-15EX Depot Maintenance Activation Working Group (DMAWG). The Contractor’s plan shall focus on depot level repair work transitioned to Government organic depots. Additionally, the Contractor shall negotiate and implement required Partnering Agreements (PA) and Implementation Agreements (IA) between the Contractor, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), and the Government as required. The Contractor shall provide transition planning that identifies areas that must be transitioned from contractor support, e.g. Interim Contractor Support (ICS) to Government support.

To facilitate the depot stand-up, the Contractor is expected to identify all necessary requirements, maximizing the utilization of existing F-15 legacy capabilities (equipment, testers) and documenting any discrepancies in required testing and repair processes unique to the respective

Air Logistics Complex (ALC).

Government training and materials: The Contractor shall provide the USAF Maintenance Technicians with training in the test and repair of all units under test to the piece part level with emphasis on parts requiring special processes and equipment. Training shall include operation, maintenance, and calibration (as applicable) of the STE. The training shall allow for USAF Maintenance Technicians to participate and complete the training within 30 days of final acceptance. The Contractor shall identify training facility requirements 6 months prior to training commencement.

This RFI seeks rapidly fieldable, producible, scalable Depot Activation. This includes access to the necessary hardware and software to enable the F-15E/EX.

3. Questions to Industry

The following questions aim to enhance the Government’s understanding of current industry capabilities, emerging innovations, and alternative approaches that may have been overlooked in developing an effective acquisition strategy.

Offerors should consider the recurring cost of hardware, the ease of installation or deployment, sustainment approach, and the rate at which solutions can be manufactured and fielded.

Respondents should assume close partnership with a government-led team to enable integration, interface development and architecture implementation.

1. The government is interested in industry input in developing the most efficient solution/capability to organically repair components related to Depot Activation.

2. The government is interested in a solution to address/resolve Technical Data (TD)/data rights/Intellectual Property (IP) rights.

3. The government is interested in cost, schedule and performance for components related to Depot Activation.

4. The government seeks the most efficient solution for contracting and is interested in what the Contractor has on contract with the DoD.

4. Responding to this RFI

This RFI invites respondents to submit an unclassified White Paper (CUI is acceptable) describing their system. In addition, respondents are encouraged to submit corporate overview information and basic qualifications in managing hardware and software development projects traditionally associated with Depot Activation as well as any such projects that are similar in scope. The Government intends to consider all Industry inputs and initiatives. The F-15 Program

Office plans to leverage industry recommendations on the delivery and performance of Depot Activation supplies and services to implement best practices, improve productivity, gain programmatic and operational efficiencies, and realize cost savings.

Offerors with approaches that do not fit the use cases described herein are never-the-less encouraged to propose the idea in a White Paper submission.

The Government requests that interested sources submit electronic White Paper responses and provide the following information:

• Cover Sheet

• Company Information o Name o Date of Incorporation o Number of Years in Business o Number of Employees o Company Security Clearance Level o Brief Overview of Company History o Location o Mailing Address o Phone Number o Website Address o Email Address o DUNS # o Cage Code

• Point of Contact

• o Name o Title o Phone Number o Email Address

Supporting documentation (such as marketing brochures, fliers, published presentations or papers and other materials that summarize the technology and more about your company) is acceptable, and may be referenced by reviewers only in support of claims identified in the White Paper. The Government makes no guarantee that the supporting documentation will be reviewed and/or considered. Any company proprietary information, performance capabilities and/or future modification plans should be clearly identified and MUST be marked accordingly and will be protected by the Government.

Note that RFI respondents shall designate a single point of contact for receipt of all information pursuant to this RFI.

Please identify your company's small business size standard based on the primary North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code of 334511- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing. The small business size standard for this NAICS code is 1,350 employees. For more information, please refer to http://www.sba.gov/content/table-small-business-size-standards. Please also indicate any socioeconomic classifications:

• Large Business concern;

• Small Business (SB) concern;

• 8(a);

• Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB);

• Women-Owned Small Business;

• Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone);

• Veteran-Owned Small Business;

• Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business;

Responses to the RFI:

• Will not be returned.

• May be used to develop Government documentation.

• Will be used for planning purposes to identify interested sources.

• capable of participating in an Industry Day event.

• Respondents to the RFI may not receive feedback from the Government once reviewed.

Additional information may be requested and/or provided by the Government to capable sources in support of an Industry Day.

Proprietary information should be clearly marked. No classified documents will be included in your response. Please be advised all information submitted in response to the RFI becomes the property of the U.S. Government and will not be returned. All information received in response to this RFI marked "proprietary" will be handled accordingly.

The respondent must clearly state on the cover sheet to the RFI response should a Proprietary Information Agreement (PIA), Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), or equivalent be required prior to non-Government personnel reviewing the submissions. Should a PIA/NDA be required, the respondent must obtain the PIA/NDA from the company POCs and provide the PIA/NDA with their RFI submittal.

Separate from the formal response, please provide any other relevant information you are willing to share regarding capabilities, features, and roadmaps related to the topics covered in the questions. Any recommendations for current industry best practices are also welcome.

6. Schedule of Events

A statement of intent to submit a response to this RFI must be communicated to the Contract Specialist (laura.harr@us.af.mil) within 14 calendar days of posting.

Responses are due 14 calendar days after posting.

Respondents deemed capable of fielding Depot Activation based on their submission may be given the opportunity to participate in an Industry Day should the USG decide to host such an event.

7. Technical and Contracting Points of Contact:

Address technical questions to:

Jeffrey Hubbard, AFLCMC/WAQ Email: Jeffrey.hubbard.4@us.af.mil

Address contracting questions to:

Laura Harr, AFLCMC/WAQK

Email: laura.harr@us.af.mil

8. Additional Information:

a. Export Control: Information involved in this effort is subject to Export Control (International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) 22 CFR 120-131, or Export Administration Regulations (EAR) 15 CFR 710-774). A Certified DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement, is required to be submitted with proposal.

b. Export-Controlled Items: As prescribed by DFARS 225.7901-4, DFARS 252.225-7048, “Export-Controlled Item (JUN 2013)” is contained in this solicitation. This clause shall be contained in ALL resulting contracts. Any resulting agreement will include a term and condition to address the same.

c. Foreign Participation: Foreign participation is not authorized. Foreign Nationals (FNs) can be employed by the US Prime Contractor or Sub-Contractor; however, FNs will be limited to Public Domain information unless the contractor has obtained the proper License or Technical Assistance Agreement that authorizes disclosure of CMI and/or CUI to foreign entities pursuant to the Department of State’s ITAR or Department of Commerce’s EAR.

Public Domain information is defined as information that is releasable to the general public and sometimes referred to as open-source material. Examples include but are not limited to newspapers, magazines and information posted on the internet. Any proprietary information will have to be appropriately protected.