Sources Sought
Request for Information (RFI) – Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC) Outboard Motors
Department of Defense · Department of the Air Force
AI summaryThe Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), for its Guardian Angel (GA) rescue program, is running market research (a request for information, or RFI, not a solicitation) to find sources for a new Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC) outboard motor. It replaces the current 40 horsepower (HP) motors, which are no longer in production and must survive being air-dropped. Responses are due by the response due date of November 16, 2026, 12:00 PM Eastern, by email, and may be U.S. or non-U.S. firms. More in the summary
Market research, not a bid. Replying is free and tells Department of the Air Force who could do this work. Send a short reply to the contracting contact; no price is needed. See the contact
AI summary Beta
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), for its Guardian Angel (GA) rescue program, is running market research (a request for information, or RFI, not a solicitation) to find sources for a new Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC) outboard motor. It replaces the current 40 horsepower (HP) motors, which are no longer in production and must survive being air-dropped. Responses are due by the response due date of November 16, 2026, 12:00 PM Eastern, by email, and may be U.S. or non-U.S. firms.
Who can bid
- Open to U.S. and non-U.S. firms for this RFI; no set-aside is stated on SAM.gov, though the Government may set the requirement aside for small business later
- Registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) to be awarded a DOD contract, with the NAICS code in the SAM listing if applicable
- If the motor is foreign sourced, it must be importable into the US and the manufacturer must meet EPA Exemption Code 2 (National Security Exemption) under 40 CFR 1068.225 / 1068.315(a)
How to submit: Email to Jamie Sclafani, Contracting Officer (jamie.sclafani@us.af.mil), with Kameron Patterson, Program Manager (kameron.patterson.1.ctr@us.af.mil) copied. What to include is under Full summary below. Check the solicitation's instructions on SAM.gov.
Things to watch (5)
From the version posted Oct 15, 2026.
- Worth checking: RFI only, not a solicitation. This is market research; the Government has made no commitment to buy and will not reimburse response costs.
- Worth checking: Demanding military specifications. The motor must weigh 220 lbs or less, survive air-drop impact with the water, and be dewatered and started by one operator in 10 minutes or less, so few commercial motors may fit without development.
- Worth checking: Fuel and emissions limits on modern motors. The threshold fuel is 2-stroke mixed gasoline, while the notice says modern EPA-compliant 4-stroke motors have less horsepower and more weight; foreign motors need a national security exemption from the EPA.
Show all 5Show fewer
- Minor: Delivery of 2 units within 6 months asked. Responses may state the ability to deliver 2 units within 6 months after receipt of order.
- Minor: 15-page limit including cover page. Responses over 15 pages break the format instructions.
Read from the notice and 1 attachment. Show which files.
- Request for Information 27R5004 - CRRC Outboard Motors.pdf (read)
Full summary
What they want
- Next-generation CRRC outboard motor that beats the current 40HP motor on speed (power), maneuverability, reliability and rough-weather operation (ideal horsepower 55 HP or above with a propeller lower unit)
- Initial quantity: 2x Outboard Motors/Motors for user assessment at the 88 Test & Evaluation Squadron (TES)
- Full quantity: 91x CRRC Outboard Motors/Motors
- Motor weighs 220 lbs or less, survives air deployment from fixed and rotary wing aircraft, and can be dewatered, started and steered by 1 operator
- Runs on 2-stroke mixed gasoline (threshold), with diesel and jet fuel without modification as the objective
- Starts within 60 seconds after storage from -30 degrees F to 120 degrees F; has a manual backup start; resists saltwater corrosion per ASTM B117
- Fits legacy CRRC transoms and the legacy fuel bladder quick-connect fittings, and includes an emergency tool kit
- Contract type
- Not stated; this is an RFI for market research, not a solicitation
- Place of performance
- Wright Patterson AFB, OH, USA (as listed on SAM.gov)
- Estimated value
- Not stated
- Offers due
- November 16, 2026, 12:00 PM Eastern
- How to submit
- Email to Jamie Sclafani, Contracting Officer (jamie.sclafani@us.af.mil), with Kameron Patterson, Program Manager (kameron.patterson.1.ctr@us.af.mil) copied
- Page limits
- Response: 15 pages including the cover page
What to include when you submit
- Give company name, address, point of contact with phone and email, CAGE Code and web page.
- State business size and certifications under NAICS 333618: small business, women-owned, economically disadvantaged women-owned, HUBZone, veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned and 8(a), each as self-certified or third-party certified.
- State whether the company is domestically or foreign-owned (and the country if foreign) and whether it wants to be a prime or subcontractor.
- Describe the product, with specifications, and how it meets the performance requirements; if you propose development or integration, describe your approach.
- Give a rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost estimate based on optimum or varied quantities; it is for budget planning and is not a bid. If development is needed, estimate that cost too, including warranties, portable storage, special tooling and training.
- Say whether you do this work now or can supply it under an existing Government contract (give the contract number and Government contact), and whether it is sold commercially.
- Say whether materials comply with the Buy American Act or the Berry Amendment (10 U.S.C. 2533a), as applicable.
- Give warranty terms, spare parts, training details and cost, possible product improvements, and risks.
- Explain how you would meet FAR 52.219-14 (Limitations on Subcontracting) and FAR 52.219-33 (Non-Manufacturer Rule) if the buy is set aside for small business, including teaming and the percent of effort subcontracted.
- Mark proprietary data clearly; unmarked material is treated as publicly releasable.
Current contractor
No incumbent is named. The notice says the current motors are 40HP CRRC outboard motors no longer in production, and that the current program lacks a viable replacement.
Not in the notice text
- Unit of issue for the quantities: the documents say 2x Outboard Motors/Motors and 91x CRRC Outboard Motors/Motors but do not give a unit of issue or price basis.
- Contract type, delivery schedule, set-aside and period of performance are not stated; the Government may set the requirement aside for small business.
- Some requirement cross-references repeat the same performance reference (KPP 6.1.1) for two different requirements; further analysis is planned to validate integration and lifecycle costs.
Eligibility and how to respond
- No set-aside. Any business can reply: this is market research, and no bid is being taken yet.
- To respond, send a short reply to the contracting contact near the top of this page. No price is needed.
Notice details
- Posted
- Oct 15, 2026
- Notice type
- Sources Sought
- Office
- FA8629 AFLCMC WISK Sof/PR, Wright Patterson AFB, OH
- Business type
- Manufactured parts & equipment (FedReady's grouping, from NAICS 333618)
- Attachments
Past awards and competition
Who has won work like this before, the likely incumbent, and what similar contracts paid, from USAspending.gov.
Before you respond
Terms on this notice: Sources sought notice
Full notice text from SAM.gov
This Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS)/Request for Information (RFI) is issued for informational purposes and market research only; it does not constitute a solicitation. The Government will not reimburse any company or individual for any expenses associated with preparing/submitting information in response to this posting. The information provided may be used by the Government in developing its acquisition strategy, statement of work/statement of objectives, and/or performance specifications. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained within their response as instructed later in this posting. The United States (US) Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance & Special Operations Forces (ISR & SOF) Directorate, Special Warfare (SW) Program Office (AFLCMC/WISN) is conducting market research to identify possible sources capable of providing a CRRC Outboard Motor (OE). The current Guardian Angel (GA) weapon system relies on CRRC Outboard Motors that are nearing the end of their service life and no longer fully meet the evolving requirements of the Personnel Recover (PR) mission. The obsolescence of the current motor fleet restricts operational capabilities and increases mission risk. Specifically, the inability to operate reliably in rough seas limits the ability to conduct PR missions in certain geographic locations and weather conditions. The current program lacks a viable replacement solution that addresses these deficiencies, restores the weapon system’s full operational capability, and provides GA personnel with a reliable and effective CRRC-system for all operational environments. Furthermore, the decreased horsepower and increased unit weight of modern potential replacement EPA compliant 4-stroke Outboard Motors (OE) reduce operational capability and aerial delivery mission flexibility. PLEASE SEE ATTACHMENT FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS AND INFORMATION ON HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS RFI.
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