Common Armament Tester for Fighter (CAT-F)

SOL #: FA8533-25-R-0002Solicitation

Overview

Buyer

DEPT OF DEFENSE
Dept Of The Air Force
FA8533 AFLCMC ROKB
ROBINS AFB, GA, 31098-1670, United States

Place of Performance

Place of performance not available

NAICS

Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)

PSC

Aircraft Maintenance And Repair Shop Specialized Equipment (4920)

Set Aside

No set aside specified

Timeline

1
Posted
Aug 5, 2025
2
Last Updated
Mar 6, 2026
3
Submission Deadline
Mar 17, 2026, 7:30 PM

Qualification Details

Fit reasons
  • NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
  • Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
  • Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
  • Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps

Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.

Quick Summary

The Department of the Air Force is soliciting proposals for the Common Armament Tester for Fighter (CAT-F) program, a full and open competition to develop, manufacture, and sustain armament testers for F-16, F-15, and A-10 aircraft. This effort will result in up to two Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts, with a downselect to at least one contractor after Critical Design Review. Proposals are due March 17, 2026, at 3:30 PM EDT.

Purpose & Scope

This Request for Proposal (RFP) seeks solutions for a CAT-F system capable of testing Preload, Clean Wing, and Fault Isolation Requirements at both Organizational (O-Level) and Intermediate (I-Level) maintenance. The system aims to replace or augment legacy testers, be cyber secure, nuclear certified, and utilize a Modular Open System Architecture (MOSA). It also addresses Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Materiel Shortages (DMSMS) and obsolescence.

Contract Details

  • Contract Type: Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)
  • Acquisition Strategy: Two-phase source selection. Initial phase awards up to two IDIQ contracts for CAT-F System Design. A final downselect occurs after Critical Design Review (CDR) to at least one contractor for Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) and Production.
  • Pricing Arrangements: Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), Firm Fixed Price (FFP), and Cost Reimbursement-No Fee (CR-NF).
  • Period of Performance: A 1-year basic period for Prototype Design and Digital Development, followed by four 1-year options.
  • Estimated Values: Minimum $10,000; Maximum $420,430,000.
  • Prototype Quantities (Basic): Two (2) each for F-16, F-15, and A-10 O-Level Handheld Tester Prototypes.
  • Estimated Production Quantities (Options I-IV): F-16 (303 O-Level, 143 I-Level), F-15 (172 O-Level, 80 I-Level), A-10 (68 O-Level, 42 I-Level) testers, plus associated cable/adapter kits.
  • Set-Aside: None (Full and Open Competition).

Key Requirements & Deliverables

Offerors must propose O-Level Handheld Testers and I-Level Functional and Fault Isolation Testers, along with aircraft-specific cable and adapter kits. Key deliverables include a contractor-developed Statement of Work (SOW), an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), and a Surge Capability Plan. Extensive Contract Data Requirements Lists (CDRLs) are specified, covering items like Briefing Material, IPMDAR, SEMP, Cybersecurity Test Plans, and Technical Data Packages. Technical Manual Contract Requirements (TMCR) mandate S1000D/IETM compliance. A comprehensive Industrial Safety & Health Plan is also required. Government Furnished Property (GFP) will be provided, including various missile launchers and aircraft components.

Submission & Evaluation

Proposals must be submitted electronically via encrypted email or DoD SAFE and are organized into four volumes: Completed RFP, Written Technical Proposal, Small Business Participation, and Cost/Price Proposal. Evaluation will use Tradeoff Source Selection Procedures, with technical factors considered significantly more important than cost/price. The proposal validity period is 730 days. A pre-award survey of the prospective contractor's accounting system will be conducted for cost-type contracts.

Important Notes

Non-Government Advisors will assist in proposal review. Funds are not presently available, and award is contingent upon funding. Packaging must comply with AFMC Form 158 and MIL-STD-2073-1. Transportation data, including F.O.B. terms and shipping instructions, are provided.

Response Date

Proposals are due by March 17, 2026, at 3:30 PM EDT.

People

Points of Contact

Oya HarrisonPRIMARY
Alexis DavisSECONDARY

Files

Files

Download
Download
Download
Download
Download
Download
Download
Download
Download
Download
Download
Download
Download
Download
Download
Download
Download
Download
Download
Download
Download
Download
Download
Download
Download

Versions

Version 12
Solicitation
Posted: Mar 6, 2026
View
Version 11
Solicitation
Posted: Feb 25, 2026
View
Version 10
Solicitation
Posted: Feb 23, 2026
View
Version 9
Solicitation
Posted: Feb 19, 2026
View
Version 8
Solicitation
Posted: Feb 18, 2026
View
Version 7Viewing
Solicitation
Posted: Feb 18, 2026
Version 6
Solicitation
Posted: Feb 17, 2026
View
Version 5
Solicitation
Posted: Feb 17, 2026
View
Version 4
Solicitation
Posted: Sep 22, 2025
View
Version 3
Solicitation
Posted: Sep 18, 2025
View
Version 2
Solicitation
Posted: Sep 4, 2025
View
Version 1
Solicitation
Posted: Aug 5, 2025
View