Sources Sought
F-15EX Missile Warning System
Dept of Defense · Dept of the Air Force · Sol. PCOL-2026-MWS
Due in 36 days
AI summary Beta
The Air Force's F-15 program office at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio is running a Sources Sought (market research, not a solicitation) to find companies that can supply a missile launch and approach warning system for the F-15EX fighter. The system must fit the six sensor locations already on the aircraft. Responses are a short capabilities paper due November 12, 2026.
Watch out for
- Needs an already-fielded system. The questions ask which military aircraft the system is already approved on and for government references, so a new entrant without a proven, approved product is unlikely to qualify.
- Sources Sought only. This is market research, not a solicitation; the Government is not committed to buying and will not pay for responses.
THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT
- Third-party interface dependency. Your system must exchange data with the F-15EX mission computer, which means working out interface terms with The Boeing Company.
Read from the notice text only.
Full brief
What they want
- A missile warning system (MWS) that alerts F-15EX aircrew to missile threats without unreasonable false alarms
- Use of the six existing sensor locations, data cables, power cables and cooling on the aircraft
- A system Air Force maintainers can install and remove in the field, easily and quickly
- Answers to about 20 technical questions: aircraft it is already approved on, references, production status, delivery time, size, weight, power, cooling, MIL-STD-1553 interface, and more
- A plan to adapt the system to the Agile Mission Suite Government Reference Architecture
- Contract type
- Sources Sought notice (market research); no contract type stated
- Period of performance
- Not stated; the notice says it will be commensurate with the requirement
- Place of performance
- Wright Patterson AFB, OH, USA
- Offers due
- 2026-11-12 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time
- How to submit
- Upload an unclassified technical capabilities statement paper through DoD SAFE; email the Contracting Officer and Morgan Grudich to request a DoD SAFE link
- Page limits
- Six 8.5 x 11-inch pages, 12-point font or larger
What to include when you submit
- Email both stephannie.siembab@us.af.mil and morgan.grudich@us.af.mil to get a DoD SAFE upload link
- Include company name, address and point of contact (name, title, phone, email), CAGE code, UEI and DUNS number
- State your business size or status (large, small, SDB, WOSB, EDWOSB, 8(a), SDVOSB, VOSB, HUBZone)
- Single MWS only: describe only one system in the response
- No classified information, and no phone calls; mark proprietary information clearly and keep it to a minimum
- Send questions in writing by email to the Contracting Officer, Stephannie Siembab; answers will be posted on SAM.gov
You must have
- System already approved for operational use on a Department of War aircraft (airworthiness determination and cybersecurity Authorization to Operate)
Approval for operational use requires both 1) determination of airworthiness of the aircraft with your MWS integrated
- Must be integrable into the F-15EX using the existing six sensor locations without other changes to aircraft configuration
The MWS must use the six (6) pre-existing F-15EX sensor locations, data cables, power cables, and cooling.
- Willing to share the MIL-STD-1553 interface specification with The Boeing Company so data can be exchanged with the F-15EX mission computer
Not in the notice text
- Quantity of systems and contract value
- Contract type and period of performance
- How the eventual award would be evaluated
- Whether any set-aside will apply later (none is used on this notice)
- Detection performance requirements (deliberately left out of the notice because they are classified)
Is this a fit for your business?
Create a free accountFedReady checks notices like this against your business profile, tracks deadlines, and alerts you to new matches. Creating an account is free.
Key facts
- Response due
- Nov 12, 2026, 9:00 PM UTC
- Posted
- Sep 29, 2026
- Notice type
- Sources Sought
- Solicitation
- PCOL-2026-MWS
- Agency
- Dept of Defense · Dept of the Air Force
- Office
- FA8634 AFLCMC Waqk F15
- Set-aside
- No Set aside used
- NAICS
- 334511
- Product/service code
- 5865
- Business type
- Electrical & electronic components
- Place of performance
- Wright Patterson Afb, OH
- Contracting contact
- Stephannie Siembabstephannie.siembab@us.af.mil
Full notice text from SAM.gov
The Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Fighters & Advanced Aircraft Directorate (AFLCMC/WA), F?15 System Program Office (AFLCMC/WAQ), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) is seeking sources for the procurement of an operationally qualified threat missile launch and approach warning system for rapid integration into the United States Air Force (USAF) F-15EX Eagle II fighter aircraft. INTRODUCTION: This is a SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT to acquire a missile warning system (MWS) to be integrated into the F-15EX fleet. The system must alert the F-15EX aircrew to missile threats without unreasonably distracting the aircrew with false alarms. The MWS must use the six pre-existing sensor locations, data cables, power cables, and cooling. The MWS must be easily, safely, rapidly, and organically installable and removable in the field by USAF military aircraft maintenance personnel. In accordance with Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul (RFO) Part 10, Market Research, AFLCMC/WAQ is seeking information for potential sources for an integrated MWS solution for the F-15EX. This publication is intended to elicit responses from sources with knowledge, skills, data, equipment, access to appropriate facilities, and the capacity to meet the Air Force’s requirements. The dollar value and period of performance (PoP) for the contract will be commensurate with the requirement. This contract effort is subject to RFO 52.232-18, Availability of Funds. 1.1 SOURCES SOUGHT INFORMATION 1.2 DISCLAIMER: THIS?SOURCES SOUGHT?IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.? THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP), REQUEST FOR QUOTE (RFQ) OR AN INVITATION FOR BID (IFB).?IN ACCORDANCE WITH?RFO 15.101(c),?THIS NOTICE?DOES NOT CONSTITUTE SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY. THE GOVERNMENT MAY USE THE INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM RESPONSES TO THIS NOTICE IN DETERMINING ITS ACQUISITION APPROACH.? THE ISSUANCE OF THIS NOTICE DOES NOT RESTRICT THE GOVERNMENT ACQUISTION APPROACH.? 1.3 REQUIRED CAPABILITIES Interested firms should submit information as to the capabilities, capacity, and experience to provide an MWS as set forth below: The MWS must alert the F-15EX aircrew to the presence of missiles that may threaten the aircraft without unreasonably distracting the aircrew with false alarms. The MWS must use the six (6) pre-existing F-15EX sensor locations, data cables, power cables, and cooling. It must be easily, safely, rapidly, and organically installable and removable in the field by USAF military aircraft maintenance personnel without requiring any change to aircraft configuration beyond installation of MWS line replaceable units (LRUs) in the six (6) pre-existing locations in the aircraft dedicated for missile warning. To avoid compromise of classified information, this notice does not ask for threat missile launch and approach detection performance for various use cases nor for an MWS concept of operations. AFLCMC/WAQ may contact you to ask for detection performance information if your response to this Sources Sought notice indicates your MWS is integrable in an F-15EX aircraft. Questions: What is the name of the MWS you describe in your response to this Sources Sought notice? Please include titles, abbreviations, and nomenclature as available. Please only identify and describe a single MWS in your response. On what Department of War (DoW) aircraft model(s) is your MWS approved for operational use today? Approval for operational use requires both 1) determination of airworthiness of the aircraft with your MWS integrated and 2) sustainment of the aircraft’s cybersecurity Authorization to Operate. Who are the best references (name, position, organization, commercial telephone number, and US Government email address) for DoW acquirers responsible for procuring your MWS for operational use on DoW aircraft named in question 2? Is your MWS in active production today? How many months from contract award could your MWS be delivered? Does your MWS consist only of sensor LRUs or does your MWS consist of sensor LRUs connected to a central processing LRU? If MWS sensors are connected to a central processor, how are they connected? What are the dimensions of each LRU in your MWS? You are alternately welcome to include in your response figures from engineering drawings that identify dimensions, rather than listing dimensions. How much does each LRU in your MWS weigh? How are your MWS’s LRUs physically fastened to an aircraft? What are your MWS’s electrical power requirements? Through what cable connection(s) is your MWS powered by the aircraft? What are your MWS’s cooling requirements? Through what interface(s) is your MWS cooled by the aircraft? Can your MWS be connected to an aircraft’s MIL-STD-1553 avionics bus? What are the terms by which your firm will share the MIL-STD-1553 avionics bus interface specification for your MWS with The Boeing Company so data can be exchanged between your MWS and the F-15EX’s onboard mission computer? Does your MWS require the aircrew or maintenance personnel to provide information to your MWS during aircraft preflight or midflight for it to correctly detect missiles that may threaten the aircraft? If so, how is this information provided to your MWS? Does the installation on, operation of, or removal of your MWS from an aircraft expose personnel to a known health or safety hazard? Are there any known limitations on your MWS’s use in the F-15EX aircraft’s operational environment as verified in accordance with MIL-STD-810H? Does a field-executable procedure exist today for verifying the correct operation of your MWS during aircraft preflight or periodic inspection? If so, please briefly summarize the procedure. Does installation or removal of your MWS require any specific tools that are not commercially available? If yes, please identify the tools and tool vendors. Are there any known limitations on your MWS’ storage environment when MWS LRUs are not installed on an aircraft? What are your plans (if any) for adapting your MWS to meet the architecture and interface requirements of the Agile Mission Suite Government Reference Architecture (https://open-arsenal.gitlab.io/platforms/)? 1.4 NORTH?AMERICAN INDUSTRY?CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM?CODE?(NAICS):? The anticipated NAICS Code is?334511; the corresponding Small Business size?standard in?1350 employes. If the NAICS Code or Small Business size standard appears to be?incorrect,?please suggest an alternative NAICS Code and Small Business size?for consideration.? 1.5? SUBMISSION DETAILS:?? Vendors interested in responding to this announcement should submit an UNCLASSIFIED technical capabilities statement paper via DoD SAFE NO LATER THAN 12 NOVEMBER 2026, 1600, Eastern Time. To request a DoD SAFE link be sent to your email address to upload your technical capabilities statement paper, please email both Contracting Officer Stephannie Siembab at stephannie.siembab@us.af.mil and Morgan Grudich at morgan.grudich@us.af.mil. NO PHONE CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED. CLASSIFIED information will NOT be accepted. The Government will not reimburse the contractor for any costs associated with preparing or submitting a response to this notice. Responses shall be limited to six (6), 8.5 x 11-inch pages with no smaller than 12-point font. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. It is the submitter’s sole responsibility to verify the e-file was received and can be viewed. All information received that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly.?Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All Government and contractor personnel reviewing sources sought responses will have signed non- disclosure agreement and understand their responsibility for proper use and protection from unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information as described in 41 USC 423. The Government shall not be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is not property identified.? 1.6 RESPONSES SHALL INCLUDE: Name of Company, Address, and Point of Contact (Name, Title, Phone, Email) Contractor and Government Entity (CAGE) code Unique Entity ID (UEI) DUNS Number Capabilities statement paper (no more than six (6), 8.5 x 11-inch pages with no smaller than 12-point font) demonstrating ability to perform in accordance with paragraph 1.3 above Firms responding to this announcement should indicate whether they are a large business, small business, small disadvantaged business (SDB), woman-owned small business (WOSB), economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB), 8(a)-certified business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB), veteran-owned small business (VOSB), or Historically Underutilized Business Zone small business (HUBZone). 1.7 QUESTIONS: Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by email to the Contracting Officer, Stephannie Siembab at stephannie.siembab@us.af.mil. Verbal and phone questions will NOT be accepted. Answers to questions will be posted on SAM.gov website. Questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. 1.8 SUMMARY: THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT to identify potential sources that can provide the MWS. The information provided in this announcement is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Department of the Air Force has not made a commitment to procure any of the supplies/services discussed and release of this Sources Sought should not be construed as such a commitment or as an authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.
Similar open opportunities
- RECEIVER-TRANSMITTE, IN REPAIR/MODIFICATION OFNAVSUP Weapon Systems Support (Navy) plans a sole source repair or modification of one receiver-transmitter unit.
- CIRCUIT BREAKERNAVSUP Weapon Systems Support (Navy) plans a sole source purchase of 3 circuit breakers.
- POWER INPUT CABLENAVSUP Weapon Systems Support plans a sole source purchase of 5 power input cables (NSN 1R-5995-016912189-BL, reference 4222AS0166-01), delivered FOB Origin.
- CIRCUIT CARD ASSEMB, IN REPAIR/MODIFICATION OFNAVSUP Weapon Systems Support plans a sole-source repair of 14 circuit card assemblies (NSN 7R-5998-016779794-CC), delivered FOB Origin.
- TEST KIT, HPThe Navy (NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support, Mechanicsburg) plans to buy 3 test kits (NSN 7H-6685-017081470-X5) manufactured to a technical data package.