Composites & shelf-life lab autoclave & control system

The Air Force Sustainment Center is preparing to procure a commercially off-the-shelf autoclave and control system for the Composites & Shelf-Life Lab at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, with sources sought responses due August 18, 2026. No set-aside is anticipated. Place of performance is Building 9001, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma.

The system must be a front-loading autoclave with interior working space of minimum 60" W × 120" L × 48" H and overall footprint between 116"–126" W × 258"–268" L × 89"–99" H. Equipment must support pressure operations from 0–200+ psi with 0.5 psi accuracy, vacuum operations from 0–25" Hg with 1" Hg accuracy, and temperature to 450°F minimum with 5°F accuracy. The control system requires Windows 11 operating system, standalone operation without internet or cloud-based services, and a minimum 12" × 12" display screen. The system will cure composite prepregs, primers, film adhesives, graphite, and shelf-life materials in support of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex and Department of War Shelf-Life Program customers.

Vendor scope includes all hardware, software, peripherals, documentation, on-site training for three lab personnel within five working days of installation, initial calibration, 12-month calibration services, and one-year warranty covering parts, labor, travel, and software updates. Vendor must provide 30 days' notice prior to delivery.

Responses to the Sources Sought should address facility capabilities, past similar project experience, quality assurance processes, and product commerciality. NAICS 334516 applies; small business size standard is 1,000 employees. Small Disadvantaged Businesses, 8(a) firms, Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, HUBZone businesses, Women-Owned Small Businesses, and joint ventures are eligible. Submit responses to kyle.newcomb@us.af.mil by August 18, 2026, 3:00 PM Central Daylight Time.