RFI -Next Generation Firewall Ruggedized
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 Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) is conducting market research through a Sources Sought/Request for Information (RFI) to identify vendors capable of providing a ruggedized, field-deployable Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW). This solution is intended for the Starshield project to enable a Zero Trust security architecture in contested environments. Responses are due by April 30, 2026, 1pm MST.
Scope of Work
The RFI seeks information on comprehensive security solutions that can be integrated into a transit case, operate in demanding conditions, and meet stringent cybersecurity requirements. The goal is to identify sources for a future acquisition.
Key Requirements / Deliverables
Vendors should provide detailed information on:
- Solution Overview: Complete ruggedized NGFW, preferably Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS), including integration, features, and estimated costs.
- Licensing: Models for subscriptions, perpetual options, and activation/renewal in air-gapped/DIL environments.
- Performance: Metrics for firewall, threat prevention, VPN throughput, concurrent sessions, and physical specifications, detailing test conditions.
- Advanced Security: Capabilities for application/user visibility (App-ID, User-ID), threat prevention (IPS, sandboxing, URL filtering), encrypted traffic inspection, Zero Trust enablement (micro-segmentation), and attack detection/mitigation.
- Environmental Ruggedization: Compliance with MIL-STD-810H (temperature, shock, vibration, humidity, altitude) and MIL-STD-461G (EMC).
- Management & Integration: Details on local/central management, API capabilities for SIEM/SOAR, autonomous operation, local logging, and High Availability (HA).
- Power Architecture: Compatibility with standard AC (90-264 VAC) and tactical DC (28 VDC, MIL-STD-1275E) sources, including power management and failover.
- Component Power: Input connectors, typical/maximum consumption, and redundant power supply options.
- Compliance: Listing on DISA APLITS, NIAP, FIPS 140-2/3 validation, TAA compliance, and a Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) plan.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI)
- Set-Aside: None specified (market research stage)
- Response Due: April 30, 2026, 1pm MST
- Questions Due: April 17, 2026
- Published: March 31, 2026
- Office: AFLCMC HBDK, Hill Air Force Base, UT
Submission & Evaluation
Responses, limited to 15 pages (excluding commercial documentation) in Microsoft Word or searchable Adobe Acrobat PDF, must be sent electronically to Ms. Wendy Farley (wendy.farley@us.af.mil) and Mr. Carlos Michel (carlos.michel@us.af.mil). This is for information and planning purposes only; it is not a solicitation, and the Air Force is not obligated to make an award or pay for information submitted.
Additional Notes
Other NAICS Code 334111 (Electronic Computer Manufacturing) is also welcomed to respond. Copies of submitted information may be used to develop a future Request for Proposal (RFP).