Request For Information: PEO Coating of F-16 Accessory Drive Gearbox (ADG) Housing
Closed Special Notice Posted
- Solicitation number
- RFI09252025
- Agency
-
Air Force Materiel Command
Air Force, Department of Defense
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 488190 Other Support Activities for Air Transportation
- PSC
- 2835 Gas Turbines And Jet Engines; Non-Aircraft Prime Mover, Aircraft Non-Prime Mover, And Components
- Place of performance
- Layton, Utah, United States
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of the Air Force Materiel Command has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking industry feedback on a project to apply Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) coatings to F-16 Accessory Drive Gearbox (ADG) housings. This initiative focuses on NSN 2835012080169RP gearboxes and represents an effort to enhance the reliability and corrosion resistance of magnesium gearbox components through an electrochemical process that creates a ceramic-like coating. The PEO coating process utilizes an electrolyte solution and electrical amperage to convert the outer surface of the parts into a more corrosion-resistant material, as demonstrated through salt fog testing. While not currently an approved process, the Air Force anticipates formal approval within 18-24 months. The RFI was posted on September 25, 2025, and originated from Hill Air Force Base.
The primary objective of this RFI is to gather market intelligence from potential contractors regarding the feasibility and logistics of implementing PEO coating services for approximately 30 initial gearboxes, with plans to eventually process the entire USAF stock in small batches. Interested contractors must submit white paper responses by October 13, 2025, at 5:00 PM MST, with submissions limited to 10 pages of text and delivered via email to specified Air Force contacts. The Air Force is specifically requesting information on estimated additional shop flow days for coating, preferred batching methods, round-trip shipping costs to the identified provider IBC Materials and Technologies LLC, and any additional process considerations. No specific eligibility criteria are outlined in the notice, and the Air Force emphasizes that this is strictly an information-gathering exercise with no commitment to issue future procurement opportunities or Requests for Proposal. The initiative represents a proactive approach to improving aircraft component longevity and operational readiness through advanced coating technologies.
Notice text
THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. The United States Air Force is working a project to coat the F-16 Accessory Drive Gearbox (ADG) housing, NSN 2835012080169RP. The purpose of this project is to increase the reliability and effectiveness of the Mg gearbox by applying PEO coatings to the outside of the parts. The PEO coatings are applied using an electrolyte (similar to Gatorade) and an electrical amperage. This converts the outside to a ceramic like coating. That coating is more resistant to corrosion as proven in salt fog testing. This is not an approved process now, but we anticipate that it will be approved in approximately 18-24 months.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| QA_08OCT2025.pdf | ||
| RFI PEO Coating 09252025.pdf |
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