KC-46A ARO/Receiver/Engineering Virtual Reality Simulator
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 is seeking quotes for a KC-46A ARO/Receiver/Engineering Virtual Reality Simulator. This combined synopsis/solicitation (RFQ) aims to acquire a commercial virtual simulator for interactive and realistic air refueling test and training scenarios. The acquisition is unrestricted, but may be set aside for small businesses, with a 10% price preference for HUBZone concerns. The maximum allocated budget for this effort is $720,000.00. Quotes are due by June 3, 2026, at 8:00 AM PST.
Scope of Work
The selected contractor will develop and provide a Virtual Reality Simulator system with VR rendering and physical user interfaces for both a KC-46A Air Refueling Operator (ARO) station and a KC-46A receiver aircraft (pilot station). Key requirements include:
- Creating a physical interface for the 418th FLTS special instrumentation pallet, requiring collaboration with 418th FLTS engineers.
- Implementing a server to merge interactions between ARO, receiver pilot, and engineering stations within a virtual environment, utilizing realistic physics modeling.
- Integrating a communications system for a closed-loop network to replicate airborne communication patterns.
- Incorporating accurate aerodynamic models for boom and receiver aircraft motion.
- Ensuring integration with other similar USAF systems and the 418th FLTS engineers' software (IADS).
- The system must have no sustainment costs, fit within a 30x20 foot area, and not exceed 60Amps power draw.
Contract & Timeline
- Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price (RFQ)
- NAICS: 336413 "Other Aircraft Part and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing" (Size Standard: 1,250 employees)
- Period of Performance: 1 year from date of award.
- Budget Ceiling: $720,000.00 (Proposals exceeding this will be deemed "Fail").
- Set-Aside: Unrestricted (potential for small business set-aside, 10% HUBZone price preference).
- Questions Due: May 20, 2026, 12:00 PM PDT.
- Quotes Due: June 3, 2026, 8:00 AM PST.
- Published: May 13, 2026.
Submission & Evaluation
Proposals will be evaluated using a Best Value Tradeoff approach, with award made to the responsible offeror whose quote is most advantageous to the Government. Evaluation factors, in descending order of importance, are:
- Past Performance (Pass/Fail): Must demonstrate tanker-specific experience (KC-10, KC-135, or KC-46) providing training simulators that include both ARO stations and receiver aircraft flight decks. Non-tanker experience is insufficient.
- Price (Pass/Fail): Must be fair, reasonable, and not exceed the $720,000.00 budget ceiling.
- Technical Capabilities: Evaluation of the proposed technical approach to meet requirements outlined in the Statement of Requirements (Attachment 1).
Past Performance and Price are weighted equally and more heavily than Technical Capabilities. Quotes should be no longer than 5 pages and must include Attachment 2 (Solicitation) and Attachment 3 (Past Performance Questionnaire) completed. Submissions must be emailed to both Jenna Jacobson (Contracting Officer) and Paola Diaz (Contract Specialist).