Request for Quotes (RFQ) MQ-9 Test and Check Out (TACO) Telemetry Receiver System
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
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, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), is seeking quotes for a Test and Check Out (TACO) Telemetry Receiver System for the MQ-9 Medium Altitude Unmanned Aircraft Systems Division. This is a Total Small Business Set-Aside opportunity for a Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) contract. The TACO cart will be a transportable, rugged, and weatherproof platform designed for flight line operations, telemetry measurement, and data processing. Proposals are due by June 1, 2026, at 12:00 PM EST.
Scope of Work
The contractor will develop, produce, and deploy a TACO Cart to provide a safer and more efficient developmental testing environment for MQ-9 telemetry testing. Key requirements include:
- Mobility: A transportable, rugged, and weatherproof cart with wheels, shade features, and convenient access.
- Data Processing: Ability to receive, decode, and display test article data in human-readable, engineering-unit format, supporting ARTM waveforms (CPM, STC, LDPC).
- Environmental Control: Protection for internal equipment from ambient temperatures (15°F to 120°F) using an Environmental Control Unit (ECU).
- Communication & Hardware: Configurable onboard recording system (PCM, MIL-STD-1553, ARINC 429 data, voice, video), UHF receive/transmit, and integration of various hardware components (telemetry receiver, antennas, spectrum analyzer, rackmount computer, etc.).
- System Integration: Adherence to interface standards for integration with Medium Altitude UAS Division systems (e.g., MQ-9A).
- Cybersecurity: Development of documentation and artifacts for assessment and authorization, including RMF artifacts.
Contract Details
- Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price (FFP)
- Period of Performance: August 7, 2026 – August 6, 2027 (12 Months)
- Place of Performance: Grey Butte Field Airport, Palmdale, CA
- Product Service Code: 6625 (Electrical And Electronic Properties Measuring And Testing Instruments)
- NAICS Code: 334519, Size Standard: 600 employees
Submission & Evaluation
- Proposal Due Date: June 1, 2026, at 12:00 PM EST.
- Questions Due Date: May 22, 2026, at 12:00 PM EST (via email).
- Proposal Structure: Quotes must be submitted in three volumes: Executive Summary, Technical Factor (including Contract Management Plan - CMP), and Price.
- Evaluation Basis: Award will be made to the vendor representing the best value, using a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) process. Technical acceptability (including CMP) is required and considered significantly more important than price. Price will be evaluated for accuracy, completeness, reasonableness, and balance.
Key Deliverables & Requirements
- TACO Cart: The primary deliverable.
- CDRLs: 13 specific data items (A001-A013) as outlined in Attachment 2.
- Documentation: Technical Data Package (TDP), commercial manuals, cybersecurity artifacts (SSP, SCTM).
- Quality Assurance: Maintain a quality management system certified to AS9100 or ISO 9001.
- Testing: Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) prior to delivery, and Site Acceptance Test (SAT) by the Government.
- Training: Hands-on operator training for Government personnel.
Contact Information
Primary Point of Contact: Shelby Olsen (Shelby.Olsen@us.af.mil).