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 Air Force Test Center (AFTC) and Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC), is establishing the AEDC Velocity Alliance. This strategic consortium, operating under 10 U.S.C. § 4022, aims to accelerate the modernization of national test infrastructure to support next-generation defense systems. This initiative represents a multi-billion dollar portfolio of complex engineering and construction projects, which will be competed exclusively among Alliance members.
Purpose & Scope
The Alliance seeks to establish a pre-qualified industrial base to sustain, restore, and modernize critical test infrastructure at AEDC and potentially other AFTC installations. Projects will cover 15 technical categories, including General Construction, Industrial Construction, Process Systems (low/high pressure, hazardous), Electrical Infrastructure (high/medium/low voltage), Fire Suppression, Equipment Repair, Mechanical/Electrical/ID&C Engineering Services, and Utilities. The program anticipates investing multi-billion dollars through Fiscal Year 2032.
Membership Requirements
Interested vendors must submit a whitepaper demonstrating their capabilities. Key requirements include:
- Mandatory Certifications: Current Joint Certification Program (JCP) and Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2 (or an alternative path with a NIST SP 800-171 assessment and a detailed CMMC Level 2 roadmap showing full C3PAO Certification by November 2026).
- Technical Competency: Demonstrated through completed projects within the last five years.
- Innovation and Partnership Capability: Whitepapers must identify at least one partner that is a Non-Traditional Defense Contractor (NDC), a Small Business, or a Nonprofit Research Institution (e.g., university). This applies even if the prime is a small business.
- Intellectual Property Rights Acknowledgement.
Submission & Evaluation
Whitepapers must be a single, searchable PDF, not exceeding ten pages (including cover page, appendices, and all parts). Evaluation is a four-part Pass/Fail process. Vendors must pass all parts to be considered for membership and invited to a mandatory site visit. Project-level competitions among members will generally be evaluated on a Best Value basis, with a preference for Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) milestone-based structures. All consortium members in good standing will receive all Project Opportunity Announcements (POAs).
Key Dates
- Onboarding Opportunity 1:
- Questions Due: 1 May 2026 (COB)
- Whitepapers Due: 1 June 2026 (COB)
- Mandatory Site Visit (Industry Day): 17 June 2026 (0800-1600 CST) at UTSI Auditorium, Tullahoma, TN.
- Anticipated Consortium Live Date: 1 July 2026
- Onboarding Opportunity 2:
- Whitepapers Due: 1 September 2026 (COB)
- Mandatory Site Visit Window: 1 September 2026 – 30 September 2026
- Notice Active Until: 30 September 2032
Contract Details
This is an unfunded solicitation for qualification into the Alliance. Financial obligations begin only upon award of specific, funded Project-Level Agreements. The primary NAICS code for onboarding is 541330 - Engineering Services. No set-aside is specified for the consortium membership itself.
Additional Notes
The consortium will be managed internally by the government. Remote work for engineering, design, and documentation is anticipated, contingent on CUI protection. Governing documents are subject to change.