Request for Whitepapers: AEDC Velocity Alliance - A Multi-Billion Dollar OTA Consortium Opportunity
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 (DAF), through the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC), has issued a Request for Whitepapers (RFWP) for membership in the AEDC Velocity Alliance. This multi-billion dollar Other Transaction Authority (OTA) consortium aims to accelerate the modernization of national test infrastructure. Membership is required to compete for future projects. The first whitepaper submission deadline is June 1, 2026.
Opportunity Overview
The AEDC Velocity Alliance is a strategic, consortium-based initiative established under 10 U.S.C. § 4022 to create a pre-qualified industrial base. Its purpose is to sustain, restore, and modernize critical test infrastructure in direct support of next-generation defense systems. Projects under this initiative, anticipated to be a multi-billion dollar portfolio through FY2032, will be competed exclusively among Alliance members.
Scope of Work
The program encompasses a diverse portfolio of infrastructure sustainment, restoration, and modernization projects. This includes:
- Construction: General and industrial construction, renovations, analysis, planning, design, procurement, fabrication, installation, demolition.
- Process Systems: Low/high pressure, hazardous process systems, and large-scale process ducting.
- Electrical Systems: High, medium, and low voltage electrical infrastructure.
- Specialized Services: Fire suppression, equipment repair, mechanical, electrical, and Instrumentation, Data, and Control (ID&C) engineering services, and utilities. Potential performance locations include Arnold Air Force Base, Holloman Air Force Base, Tunnel 9 (MD), and the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex (NFAC) at Moffett Field, CA, with potential for other Air Force Test Center (AFTC) installations.
Contract Details
This RFWP is an unfunded solicitation for qualification into the Alliance. Financial obligations will only begin upon the award of specific, funded Project-Level Agreements to Alliance members. Projects will generally be evaluated on a Best Value basis, with a preference for Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) milestone-based structures. The government forecasts approximately 135 planned projects totaling $550 million for FY2026-FY2027.
Key Requirements for Membership
Vendors must submit a whitepaper demonstrating capabilities and expertise. Mandatory certification requirements include:
- Joint Certification Program (JCP).
- Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2 or an alternative compliance path. The alternative requires a NIST SP 800-171 assessment and a CMMC Level 2 compliance roadmap demonstrating full certification by November 2026. Roadmaps showing certification after this date will not be considered responsive. Additionally, whitepapers must demonstrate Innovation and Partnership Capability by identifying at least one partner that is a Non-Traditional Defense Contractor (NDC), a Small Business, or a Nonprofit Research Institution (e.g., a university). Even small businesses acting as prime must identify such a partner.
Submission & Evaluation
Whitepapers must be submitted electronically as a single, searchable PDF, not exceeding ten pages (cover page counts towards limit). Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) is permitted, but classified information is strictly prohibited. Evaluation is a four-part Pass/Fail process covering Mandatory Certifications, Technical Competency, Intellectual Property Rights Acknowledgement, and Innovation and Partnership Capability. Vendors must pass all four parts to be considered for a mandatory group site visit at Arnold Air Force Base, TN. There is no pre-determined cap on the number of Alliance members.
Key Dates
- Onboarding Opportunity 1:
- Questions Due: May 1, 2026, COB
- Whitepapers Due: June 1, 2026, COB (Central Daylight Time)
- Mandatory Site Visit Window: June 1 – June 30, 2026
- Anticipated Consortium Live Date: July 1, 2026
- Onboarding Opportunity 2:
- Whitepapers Due: September 1, 2026, COB
- Mandatory Site Visit Window: September 1 – September 30, 2026 The Request for Whitepapers notice will remain active until September 30, 2032.
Contact Information
For inquiries, contact Greggory Jones (greggory.jones.4@us.af.mil) or Brooke Vandeman (brooke.vandeman@us.af.mil).