Sources Sought
Data at Rest (DaR) - 400 Obsolescence Resolution
Dept of Defense · Dept of the Air Force · Sol. FA8102-27-F-0xxx
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The Air Force (AFLCMC/WIW) is doing market research on replacing an obsolete encrypted data-storage unit (the DAR-400) on its E-3G AWACS surveillance aircraft. This is a Sources Sought only, not a solicitation, so no contract is being awarded yet. The Air Force wants to learn which companies, and what sizes, could do the installation and integration work.
Watch out for
- Sources Sought only. No contract is being awarded from this notice and respondents are not paid, so it is only a chance to get on the Air Force's radar.
THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ONLY.
- Conflicting response dates. The notice header shows October 30, 2026 but the text asks for responses by 12 October 2026, so confirm the date with the contact before relying on the later one.
Responses to the sources sought are requested by 3PM, CDT, 12 October 2026.
- Government-owned encrypted hardware. The solution is built on Government-owned KG-204 crypto equipment for a mission-critical aircraft system, which likely brings security and access requirements the notice does not spell out.
The provided Government-owned KG-204 based solution is compliant with current DoD and NSA mandates to replace the legacy DAR-400 equipment.
Read from the notice text only.
Full brief
What they want
- Install and integrate a replacement for the legacy E-3G DAR-400 data-at-rest unit
- The replacement is a Government-owned KG-204 based solution
- Work must meet current DoD and NSA mandates
- Resolve obsolescence on the 15-aircraft E-3G fleet to prevent mission impact
- Offers due
- Notice header says 2026-10-30 3:00 PM CDT (-05:00); the description text says 3PM, CDT, 12 October 2026
- How to submit
- Email to phaedra.prather@us.af.mil
- Page limits
- No more than ten single-spaced pages, 12-point Times New Roman, one-inch margins, Microsoft Word format
What to include when you submit
- Include a cover letter with a brief capabilities package
- State business size (annual revenue and employee count) and business status (8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, women-owned, or small business)
- Describe any anticipated teaming arrangements
- Give relevant employee experience (type and duration) and whether you were prime or subcontractor on similar projects, with time periods
- Responses must be unclassified
- A company website alone will not be considered
You must have
- Open to all business sizes, including 8(a), HUBZone, women-owned and SDVOSB firms; no set-aside is stated yet. Responses will inform the set-aside decision.
The Government is requesting information from vendors of all business sizes
Current contractor
General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) is named as having notified the Air Force that the DAR-400 cannot meet changing NSA requirements; the notice does not say GDMS is a current contractor for this work. The attachment is titled a follow-on SOW.
Not in the notice text
- Statement of work and CDRL/DID package are in attachments (DAR 400 Follow On SOW, draft CDRL_DID Package) and were not visible
- Contract type, period of performance, place of performance and estimated value are not stated
- Required clearances or facility security level are not stated
- Which response date is correct (October 12 or October 30)
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Key facts
- Response due
- Oct 30, 2026, 8:00 PM UTC
- Posted
- Oct 8, 2026
- Notice type
- Sources Sought
- Solicitation
- FA8102-27-F-0xxx
- Agency
- Dept of Defense · Dept of the Air Force
- Office
- FA8102 AFLCMC Wi
- NAICS
- 541330
- Product/service code
- R425
- Business type
- Engineering, architecture & research
- Contracting contact
- P. Michelle Pratherphaedra.prather@us.af.mil
- Versions
- 2 (amended since first posted)
Before you respond
Full notice text from SAM.gov
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