Hands on Throttle and Stick (HOTAS) Assembly Hardware for F-22 Virtual Combat Simulator (VACS)

The Department of the Air Force has issued a Special Notice regarding the procurement of Hands on Throttle and Stick (HOTAS) assembly hardware for the F-22 Virtual Air Combat Simulator (VACS) at Eglin Air Force Base. This is a Notice of Intent announcing a proposed sole source contract award to BUGEYE TECHNOLOGIES, INC., located in Union, Missouri, for the purchase of two specific HOTAS components: one F-22 HOTAS Desktop Stick (Part Number 20B120889-1001) and one F-22 HOTAS Desktop Throttle (Part Number 20B120890-1001). The solicitation number is FA2823-26-Q-0017, with an anticipated contract award date of March 27, 2026. This acquisition is classified under NAICS code 333310 (Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing) with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees.

The primary objective of this procurement is to equip the 36th Electronic Warfare Squadron with specialized HOTAS hardware that enables high-precision aircraft input control with zero latency for F-22 simulation scenarios, supporting Phase Testing of F-22 Mission Data. The sole source justification is authorized under 41 USC 1901 and FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), based on market research identifying BUGEYE TECHNOLOGIES as the only SAM-registered vendor capable of providing this equipment and the only model approved for the program's Authority to Operate. Interested parties who believe they can provide the required items may submit written responses demonstrating their capability by 3:00 PM CST on March 23, 2026, at no cost or obligation to the Government. All inquiries should be directed electronically to 1st Lt Brooke Socolofsky at brooke.socolofsky@us.af.mil. The Government will use these responses solely to determine whether competitive procurement is in its best interest, and interested parties should note that no formal solicitation package will be issued.