Sources Sought/Request for Information (RFI) for the production of Payload Transporter Replacement (PTR)
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 Materiel Command (AFNWC/NIMT) has issued a Sources Sought/Request for Information (RFI) for the production of Payload Transporter Replacement (PTR) units. This RFI aims to identify capable sources for manufacturing a form, fit, and function replacement for the Minuteman III (MMIII) Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) system. Responses are due March 12, 2026.
Scope of Work
The PTR program seeks to replace the legacy Payload Transporter fleet (PTIII) due to obsolescence and increasing sustainment costs. The Air Force plans to procure five additional PTRs. The PTR system consists of a specially armored tractor (PTT) with an integrated auxiliary power unit (APU) and a specially armored trailer (PTS). It is the sole platform for transporting Aerospace Vehicle Equipment (AVE) to/from ICBM launch facilities and for conducting AVE remove and replace operations. The entire PTR system is a nuclear certified design meeting security, nuclear weapons safety, and nuclear surety requirements.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI)
- Purpose: Market research to identify responsible sources and determine potential for competitive and/or total Small Business Set-Aside.
- Proposed NAICS: 336212, 336992, or 336999 (size standard 1,500 employees).
- Response Due: March 12, 2026, 23:00:00Z
- Published: February 10, 2026
Information Sought
Respondents should detail:
- Risk mitigation strategies (cost, schedule, technical).
- Experience with long-lead item procurement.
- Small business classification under proposed NAICS.
- Recommended Government/DCMA inspection points.
- Experience in DoD acquisition phases (TMRR, EMD, P&D).
- Experience with nuclear certified designs, nuclear surety, and related engineering changes.
- Experience in ballistic armor technologies (MIL STD).
- Expected schedule durations from contract award to delivery.
- Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimates for engineering, design, testing, production, and per unit cost.
- Proposed testing locations (in-house vs. external).
- Environmental and shock/vibration testing experience for vehicles.
- Intellectual property management strategy.
- Expected team size for the production contract.
Response Requirements
Interested parties must submit a white-paper capability statement (limited to 4 pages) using the provided PTR Response Template. Additional information can be included as appendices. Access to attachments (PTR Statement of Work, PTR System Segment Specification) requires a DD 2345 certification from the Defense Logistics Information Service, Joint Certification Program.
Additional Notes
This is for market research only and does not constitute a solicitation or commitment to award a contract. The Government will not pay for RFI response costs.