DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

HEADQUARTERS AIR FORCE TEST CENTER

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE CALIFORNIA

FROM: AFMC/AFTC/PZIA (Arnold)

100 Kindel Drive

Arnold AFB, TN 37389-1332

SUBJECT: Request for Whitepaper (RWP) for Afocal Relay Optics

1. Introduction and Purpose

Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) is seeking whitepapers from qualified

Performers for the design, fabrication, and installation of new afocal relay optics for the antechambers located at Arnold Air Force Base, TN.

This request invites Performers to propose innovative and effective prototype solutions in a formal whitepaper. The goal is to identify a viable approach and a qualified partner to meet the requirement.

This RWP is issued under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 4022 for the purpose of acquiring prototypes to address this need.

2. Prototype(s) and Its Intent

The prototypes are Proof of Concept Prototype and Operational Utility Prototype. The Proof of

Concept Prototype goes from conceptual design (10%) to the final design (100%) to demonstrate the capability of creating the afocal relay optics. The Operational Utility Prototype is the creation and installation of the afocal relay optics.

Proof of Concept Prototype – Conceptual design, design reviews, and final design. The prototype shall prove the capability of creating the afocal relay optics.

Operational Utility Prototype – Creation and installation of the afocal relay optics. The prototype expands on the Proof of Concept Prototype by executing the design and installation.

3. Project Scope and Key Objectives

The AEDC vacuum chamber facility is a critical asset for the research and development of experimental systems tested at space-based conditions. The requirement is detailed in

Attachment 1 - Statement of Objectives. The second set of optics requirement details will be available later.

4. Whitepaper Submission Format and Required Content

Submitted whitepapers are expected to be concise and directly address the project objectives.

Each whitepaper must be structured to include the following sections:

Part 1 - Technical Competency: Provide evidence of the contractor's experience and capabilities in designing, fabricating, and installing similar high-vacuum, cryogenic afocal relay optics.

Part 2 - Execution Plan: Provide the intended plan to execute this work successfully.

Part 3 - Intellectual Property and Data Rights: Acknowledge that all project-generated data and documentation will become the property of the U.S. Government.

Part 4 - 10 U.S.C. § 4022(d) Appropriate Use of Authority: The Performer shall specify and provide supporting documentation justifying how their company plans to satisfy one of the participation or cost-sharing options outlined in 10 U.S.C. § 4022(d)(1)(A)-(C).

(A) There is at least one nontraditional defense contractor or nonprofit research institution participating to a significant extent in the prototype project.

(B) All significant participants in the transaction other than the Federal Government are small businesses (including small businesses participating in a program described under section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. § 638)) or nontraditional defense contractors.

(C) At least one third of the total cost of the prototype project is to be paid out of funds provided by sources other than the Federal Government.

NOTE 1: Non-Traditional Defense Contractor (NDC) = An entity that is not currently performing and has not performed, for at least the one-year period preceding the solicitation of sources by DoD for the procurement or transaction, any contract or subcontract for the DoD that is subject to full coverage under the cost accounting standards (CAS) prescribed pursuant to section 1502 of title 41 and the regulations implementing such section (see 10 U.S.C. §3014). The phrase “the solicitation of sources” refers to the initial agreement solicitation only. A nontraditional defense contractor is considered a nontraditional defense contractor for the duration of the prototype project/agreement’s period of performance, or for any in-scope work modified under the same agreement.

NOTE 2: Non-profit research institution is validated by reviewing the Performer’s

501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, which is required by the Internal Revenue Service.

NOTE 3: “Significant extent” and “significant participants” may be defined by the

Performer providing rationale to one or more of the following variables:

a. Has a significant role / level of involvement in the development, production, or delivery of a product or service.

b. Has a significant impact on the design, development, or production of the product or service.

c. Has a significant level of material interest in the success of the product or service.

d. Has a significant level of company's financial interest in the success of the product or service.

e. Has a significant level of control over the development, production, or delivery of a product or service.

f. Other significant rationale provided by the Performer.

NOTE 4: Failure to provide supporting documentation may eliminate a company from being considered for an award.

Part 5 - Pricing: The Performer shall provide a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) for the prototypes.

5. Whitepaper Evaluation

The Government will perform a comparative analysis of the whitepaper submissions to determine which proposal provides the best value. The evaluation will be based on an integrated assessment of the Performer’s demonstrated potential to successfully perform the project. While the evaluation will be highly subjective and at the Government’s sole discretion, the award decision will be based on a trade-off between technical merit and price. The primary factors for evaluation will be the demonstrated Technical Competency, Execution Plan, the Performer's agreement to provide Intellectual Property (IP) and Data Rights, conformity with the 10 U.S.C. §

4022(d) requirement, and the total proposed price for the Proof of Concept and Operational

Utility prototypes. The Government reserves the right to select for award one, all, or none of the whitepapers received in response to this RWP.

6. Successful Prototype Definition

A successful prototype is defined by the completion of the following milestones:

• Successful Proof of Concept Prototype: A successful proof of concept prototype is achieved upon the delivery and Government acceptance of one (1) design that is delivered in accordance with performance parameters defined in Attachment 1, and follows the successful completion of all preceding design reviews (conceptual design, design reviews, and final design).

• Successful Operational Utility Prototype: A successful operational utility prototype is achieved when the designed and installed afocal relay optics demonstrate a high degree of contribution to mission success within the operational environment. Success is defined by the afocal relay optics’ mission effectiveness, seamless integration with existing infrastructure, logistical sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and adaptability, which ultimately contributes to the lethality and readiness of the Department of War.

7. Successful Prototype Evaluation

The Proof of Concept Prototype may be determined successful based on the Performer’s demonstration of an executable design.

The Operational Utility Prototype may be determined successful based on the afocal relay optics mission effectiveness, seamless integration with existing infrastructure, logistical sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and adaptability, which ultimately contributes to the lethality and readiness of the Department of War.

The evaluation for each prototype will be highly subjective and at the Government’s sole discretion, the decision will be based on a trade-off between technical merit and price.

8. Program Milestones

This project will be executed in accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 4022 and will be structured to obtain the prototypes through the following milestones.

Milestone Title Description

1 Proof of Concept Prototype –

Set 1 of 2

Conceptual design, design reviews, and final design. The prototype shall prove the capability of creating the afocal relay optics.

2 Operational Utility Prototype

– Set 1 of 2

Creation and installation of afocal relay optics.

The prototype expands on the Proof of Concept

Prototype by executing the design and installing the afocal relay optics.

3 Proof of Concept Prototype –

Set 2 of 2

Conceptual design, design reviews, and final design. The prototype shall prove the capability of creating the afocal relay optics.

4 Operational Utility Prototype

– Set 2 of 2

Creation and installation of afocal relay optics.

The prototype expands on the Proof of Concept

Prototype by executing the design and installing the afocal relay optics.

9. Submission Details

Request Attachment 1 – Statement of Objectives no later than 14 May 2026 via email.

Whitepapers must be submitted electronically to the Agreements Officer, Erica Anglin, at erica.anglin@us.af.mil and the Agreements Specialist, Paytonne Szatkowski, at paytonne.szatkowski@us.af.mil. Submissions must be received no later than 20 May 2026 at 1

PM Central Time. The whitepaper submission shall not exceed 10 pages in length.

10. Attachments

Attachment 1 – Statement of Objectives

Attachment 2 - Articles

ERICA A. ANGLN

Agreements Officer