Request for Information (RFI) for Aerial Targets Branch (EBAY) Air Force Aerial Target Solutions

What they want

• A white paper on aerial target solutions, one package per tier: Tier 1 high-end reusable targets, Tier 2 attritable (affordable to lose) mid-tier targets, Tier 3 low-cost expendable targets
• Description of each target's command and control (C2) setup: either the Government's Advanced Airborne Threat Target Control System (AATTCS) or its own system, with FIPS 140-2 level 1 or higher encryption and costs
• Rough order of magnitude (ROM: ballpark) costs: unit cost range, non-recurring engineering, operations and sustainment, and possibly a contractor-owned, contractor-operated (COCO) service price
• Production capacity, how fast it can scale, maintenance and repair approach, and maturity level (Technology Readiness Level)
• Whether the product is commercial, modified commercial or a non-developmental item (NDI: already developed, not built new for the Government)
• Details on payload space, power, signature (radar and infrared) features and flight termination for range safety
• Subsystem, component or niche responses are welcome, not only full aircraft
• Optional demonstrations at no cost to the Government

What to include when you submit

• Send a white paper: Section 1 administrative information, then Section 2 technical response
• Send one package per tier at most, and name the tier on the first page
• Format: single-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins, Microsoft Word only
• Include company name, CAGE code, SAM Unique Entity ID, mailing address, phone, email, a point of contact, business size, relevant experience and past performance
• Include a mandatory one-page technical summary datasheet of key vehicle numbers; one per proposed target or group of targets is allowed
• Include a statement on modeling and simulation and on command and control, with procurement and sustainment cost
• State whether the solution is commercial, modified commercial, non-developmental or other, and any governmentwide contract carrying it
• State business type, facility security clearance, foreign ownership status and recommended contracting strategy
• Choose whether support contractors may see the response: (a) include a clean, signable copy of your non-disclosure agreement (NDA), or (b) Government-only review. Without a clear choice, (b) applies.
• Clearly mark proprietary information
• Do not send 6-degree-of-freedom flight models, computational electromagnetic simulations, model-based systems engineering source packages or certified cost or pricing data

After award, you must have

• Active System for Award Management (SAM) registration is not needed to respond, but will be needed before any future contract award From REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) - Aerial Targets FINAL.pdf: …submit a response to this RFI but will be required prior to award of any future contract pursuant to RFO…

Current contractor

No incumbent is named. The RFI says the mission has historically been supported by the BQM-167A subscale target (since 2007) and the QF-16 full-scale target (since 2017), and the Air Force wants lower-cost options.

Not in the notice text

• Whether the November 25, 2026 date on SAM.gov replaces the September 28, 2026 date in the RFI and notice text. Check the notice: its text gives September 28, 2026 as the date offers are due, not a question deadline.
• Whether a solicitation will follow, and any set-aside, quantities, budget or contract type
• The new industry day date and location; the November 30 to December 4, 2026 week is only anticipated
• Quantities per event or per year for Tier 3 targets, which the Government said it cannot provide at this stage