RFI_UDTMR_2026.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

F-15 Universal Data Transfer Module Reader (UDTMR)

Retrofit Kit Program Robins AFB, GA

16 September 2026

CAUTION:

The Government is conducting market research to identify potential commercial and non-commercial sources that possess the expertise, capabilities, and capacity to manufacture, assemble, test, and deliver Universal Series Bus (USB) Data Transfer Module Reader (UDTMR) Retrofit Kits for the United States Air Force (USAF) F-15 fleet.

The Government possesses a complete Technical Data Package (TDP) developed organically by the 402nd Electronics Maintenance Group (EMXG) at the request of AFLCMC/WAQ. The TDP includes assembly and component drawings, bill of materials (BOM), test procedures, firmware installation instructions, and operations guides. Contractor-furnished materials or parts used for production shall equal or exceed the specifications identified in the Government-provided TDP.

Government Network and Fully Automated Debrief System (FADS) Access Requirement. The Government anticipates that any future solicitation resulting from this market research will require the contractor to provide personnel who already possess active Common Access Cards (CACs) and currently authorized access to the Government network environment required to conduct UDTMR acceptance testing.

UDTMR acceptance testing requires access to the FADS and the ability to test a powered-on, fully assembled UDTMR Retrofit Kit installed in the applicable DTMR shell. The Government’s objective is to avoid schedule delays associated with initial CAC issuance, initial network-account creation, or initial FADS-access provisioning after contract award.

Respondents shall identify whether they can provide, at the time of contract award, personnel with active CACs and existing authorization to access the required Government network and FADS test environment at Robins AFB, GA or Eglin AFB, FL.

Possession of a CAC alone is insufficient. Respondents must identify whether their personnel have the required network account, system authorization, physical access, and FADS access necessary to execute the required acceptance testing.

NOTE: THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. Companies are encouraged to provide responses to this questionnaire but are advised that their participation is voluntary only. Contractors/Institutions responding to this market research are placed on notice that participation in this survey may not ensure participation in future solicitations or contract awards. The government will not reimburse participants for any expenses associated with their participation in this survey.

This RFI is released in accordance with RFO 15.101(c) as follows:

Agencies are encouraged to release requests for information (RFI) when the Government does not currently intend to award a contract, but wants to obtain price, delivery, market, or capabilities information for planning purposes.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Below is a description of the UDTMR Retrofit Kit requirement and a Contractor Capability Survey. The survey allows contractors to provide their company’s capability.

2. If after reviewing, you desire to participate in the market research, you should provide documentation that supports your company’s capability in meeting these requirements.

Failure to provide requested documentation may result in the Government being unable to adequately assess your company’s capabilities. If you lack sufficient experience in a particular area, please provide details explaining how you would overcome the lack of experience/capabilities in order to perform that portion of the requirement (i.e., teaming, subcontracting, etc.)

a. Identify any areas of work that your organization believes should be broken out exclusively for Small Business.

3. Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this Market Research. Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are encouraged.

4. Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to William Durden william.durden.2@us.af.mil and Ebony Walker-Simpson, ebony.walker-simpson@us.af.mil

5. RFI responses must also be returned to William Durden, william.durden.2@us.af.mil and

Ebony Walker-Simpson, ebony.walker-simpson@us.af.mil . Responses must be received no later than close of business on 10 December 2026.

mailto:william.durden.2@us.af.mil mailto:ebony.walker-simpson@us.af.mil mailto:ebony.walker-simpson@us.af.mil mailto:coretta.yeadon@us.af.mil mailto:ebony.walker-simpson@us.af.mil

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Retrofit Kit Program Robins AFB, GA

PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION:

The F-15 Fully Automated Debrief System (FADS) relies on the Data Transfer Module Reader (DTMR) as a critical hardware link between aircraft avionics and ground debrief systems. The DTMR is operated daily by both Flight-Line Maintenance and Aircrew Operations personnel across active-duty, Air National Guard, and test squadrons. Key functions include:

a.) Pre-Sortie: Loading mission planning data to the Data Transfer Module (DTM) cartridge.

b.) Post-Sortie: Extracting Avionics Built-In Test (BIT) failure data, flight parameters, and structural stress telemetry. This data is critical for immediate fault isolation, aircraft turnaround, and continuous structural tracking under the F-15 Aircraft Structural Integrity Program (ASIP) IAW MIL-STD-1530.

Obsolescence & Standard Desktop Configuration (SDC) Constraints:

The currently fielded legacy DTMR utilizes an obsolete Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) connection (Adaptec SCSI cards and PC Card bus buses) to interface with desktop and laptop computer towers.

a.) Supply Chain Depletion: Components required to repair the legacy Circuit Card Assembly (CCA), as well as SCSI interface cables and PCMCIA/PCIe bus cards, are out of production and no longer procurable.

b.) Windows 11 SDC Incompatibility: USAF enterprise networks and flight-line debrief terminals are transitioning to the Windows 11 Standard Desktop Configuration (SDC).

The legacy computer towers supporting legacy SCSI controllers cannot meet modern processing, security, or driver requirements for Windows 11. Without an immediate interface replacement, future operating system deployments will render currently fielded readers entirely non-operational.

Proposed Solution & Scope of Requirement:

To eliminate the SCSI bottleneck, AFLCMC/WAQ partnered with the 402nd EMXG to develop the Universal Data Transfer Module Reader (UDTMR) retrofit design. The UDTMR design replaces the legacy internal CCA with a modernized circuit card built from commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) microelectronics and introduces a modern USB connection (Micro-USB and/or USB-C compatible) to interface seamlessly with modern Windows 11 terminals.

Three functional prototypes have been built and evaluated. The Government now seeks industry feedback and capability statements for the rapid manufacturing, component sourcing, and delivery of approximately thirty (30) to forty (40) UDTMR Retrofit Kits.

a.) Kit Scope: Procurement of fabricated Circuit Card Assemblies (populated or bare-board with BOM components), custom wiring harnesses, machined/punched interface backplates, and USB adapter cabling.

b.) Urgency / Period of Performance: This requirement has been elevated to a High-Priority Fleet Need with an anticipated delivery requirement within three (3) to five (5) months following contract award.

Acceptance-Test Capability:

In addition to manufacturing and delivery capability, the Government requires a contractor capable of completing UDTMR acceptance testing in the Government FADS environment. The contractor must be able to install a fully assembled and powered UDTMR Retrofit Kit into the applicable shell and execute Government-approved acceptance testing using FADS.

The contractor shall be prepared to conduct this testing using personnel with existing CAC-enabled access and authorization to the applicable Government network and FADS environment.

The Government is seeking to identify sources that can perform this work without reliance on post-award initial credential issuance or initial network-access provisioning.

CONTRACTOR CAPABILITY SURVEY

Retrofit Kit Program Robins AFB, GA

Part I. Business Information

Please provide the following business information for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners:

• Company/Institute Name:

• Address:

• Point of Contact:

• DUNS Number/CAGE Code:

• Phone Number:

• E-mail Address:

• Web Page URL:

• Proposed North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: 334418

Based on the Government proposed NAICS Code, state whether your company is:

- Small Business (Yes / No)

- Woman Owned Small Business (Yes / No)

- Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes / No)

- 8(a) Certified (Yes / No)

- HUBZone Certified (Yes / No)

- Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes / No)

- Service Disabled Veteran Small Business (Yes / No)

• Registered in System for Award Management (SAM) (Yes / No)

• A statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership).

Part II. Capability Survey Questions

Circuit Card Assembly (CCA) & Electronic Fabrication

1. PCB Fabrication & SMT Capabilities: Describe your facility's capability to fabricate multi-layer printed circuit boards and execute Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and through-hole component assembly in small-to-medium lot sizes (30–100 units).

2. Quality Standards: Detail your facility’s adherence to industry and defense electronic assembly standards (e.g., IPC-A-610 Class 2/3, J-STD-001, ISO 9001:2015, AS9100D).

3. Firmware & Microcontroller Programming: Describe your experience flashing, configuring, and verifying firmware on embedded microcontrollers prior to final acceptance and packaging.

Component Procurement & Supply Chain Resilience

4. BOM Sourcing: Given the Government's delivered Bill of Materials (BOM), describe your established supply chain channels for procuring active and passive microelectronics, USB interface chipsets, specialized wiring harnesses, and structural backplates.

5. Lead-Time Projections: Based on your current component inventory and distributor relationships, what is your realistic estimated lead time from receipt of order to receipt of parts required to build 30–40 kits?

6. Counterfeit Mitigation: Describe your counterfeit electronic part avoidance and detection procedures in compliance with DFARS 252.246-7007 and AS5553.

Production Schedule & Rapid Turnaround

7. Production Ramp-Up: This requirement is time-sensitive (fielding required within 3–5 months). Can your organization produce and deliver 30–40 complete retrofit kits within 60–90 calendar days following receipt of order (ARO)? If not, provide your best realistic delivery schedule.

8. Kitting & Packaging: Describe your processes for packaging sensitive electronic assemblies, including Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protective packaging IAW MIL- STD-2073-1 and MIL-STD-129.

Mechanical & Interface Integration

9. Hardware Modifications: Can your organization fabricate or procure sheet-metal interface backplates, mounting hardware, and custom internal USB cabling to fit legacy enclosure dimensions?

10. USB Interface Transition: Do you have experience retrofitting legacy Micro-USB designs to modern USB-C interfaces, including pinout verification, EMI/RFI shielding, and USB power delivery compliance?

Commerciality & Contracting Approach

11. Commercial Availability: Are these items or comparable retrofit components offered commercially under standard catalog pricing, or do you consider this custom defense manufacturing?

12. GSA / Existing Vehicles: Does your organization maintain an active GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) or other DoD enterprise IDIQ contract that could be leveraged to expedite procurement?

13. Standard Warranty: What standard commercial warranty or guarantee applies to your manufactured electronic assemblies and component kits?

Government Network and FADS Acceptance-Test Capability

14. Does your organization currently employ personnel who possess active DoD CACs? If so, please identify the number of personnel available for this effort.

15. Can your organization provide at least two personnel who, at contract award, have active

CACs and existing authorization to access the Government network environment required for UDTMR acceptance testing?

16. Can your organization conduct UDTMR acceptance testing using a powered-on, fully assembled kit installed in the applicable shell?

17. Identify the number of personnel available to perform acceptance testing and describe their relevant experience with:

a. Government network access

b. FADS

c. DTMR or UDTMR equipment

d. Firmware loading and verification

e. Hardware installation, functional testing, and troubleshooting

18. Identify all access, equipment, facilities, Government-furnished property, test accounts, or Government support required to conduct acceptance testing.

19. If your organization does not currently possess the required access, explain the anticipated process, dependencies, and lead time required to obtain access.

20. Does your organization anticipate any restrictions on personnel eligibility, foreign-person access, export-control compliance, or facility access that would affect UDTMR production or FADS-based acceptance testing?