Specialized Activities for Test and Evaluation Requirement Needs (SATERN)
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), on behalf of the Test Resource Management Center (TRMC), has issued a Request for White Paper (RWP) for Specialized Activities for Test and Evaluation Requirement Needs (SATERN). This RWP seeks innovative solutions for specialized engineering, technical, and programmatic services, with a significant emphasis on advancing hypersonic Test and Evaluation (T&E) capabilities.
The objective is to award an Other Transaction for Prototype (OTP) agreement, specifically a business process prototype, which may lead to a follow-on production agreement without further competition. White papers are due April 13, 2026, at 2:00 PM Central Time.
Scope of Work
The selected offeror will provide expert services to support TRMC-funded projects, particularly the High Speed Systems Test (HSST) portfolio. Key objectives include:
- Effective & Integrated Program Management: Cohesive, expert program management.
- Transparent & Auditable Financial Oversight: Robust financial management system.
- Agile & Compliant Acquisition Support: Expert support for the full acquisition lifecycle.
- Disciplined & Comprehensive Project Execution: Manage scope, schedule, cost, risk, and quality.
- Innovative & Expert Technical Solutions: World-class engineering and scientific expertise, especially in hypersonic weapon system T&E.
- Successful & Efficient T&E Event Execution: Plan and execute complex ground and flight T&E events.
- Strategic & Forward-Looking T&E Roadmapping: Develop data-driven T&E roadmaps.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Request for White Paper (RWP) for an Other Transaction for Prototype (OTP) agreement under 10 U.S.C. § 4022.
- Set-Aside: None specified.
- White Paper Due: April 13, 2026, 2:00 PM Central Time (firm deadline).
- Published: March 27, 2026.
- Issuing Office: Air Force Test Center (AFTC)/PZIA, Arnold AFB, TN.
Submission Requirements
White papers are limited to 12 pages maximum (excluding cover and appendices), 12-point Times New Roman font, and must be a single searchable PDF. Content must include:
- Cover Page: Solicitation number, project title, company info (CAGE, UEI), POC, submission date, and a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) price for the business process prototype.
- Technical & Management Approach (7-8 pages): Innovative approach to meeting the seven program objectives, team management, talent retention, and quantifiable metrics.
- Corporate Experience & Capabilities (2-3 pages): Proposed key personnel, 2-3 recent and relevant projects (highlighting hypersonic T&E, TRMC, or DoD T&E infrastructure experience).
- Other Transaction Eligibility (1 page): Basis for eligibility as a nontraditional defense contractor or plan for meeting OTP statutory requirements (e.g., 1/3 cost-share).
- Appendix A: Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) Statement.
Evaluation Criteria
White papers will be evaluated in descending order of importance:
- Technical & Management Approach: Innovation, feasibility, understanding of objectives, emphasis on hypersonic T&E support.
- Corporate Experience & Personnel: Demonstrated experience and qualifications of key personnel.
- Other Transaction Eligibility: Eligibility or clear plan to meet OTP requirements.
Additional Notes
Interested parties must be active in the Joint Certification Program (JCP) and meet NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC requirements. To access the Statement of Objectives (SOO), contact the Agreements Officers with your company’s CAGE code. JCP status will be confirmed before the SOO is sent via DoD SAFE.
Compelling white papers may lead to an invitation to submit a full proposal for a business process prototype. A successful prototype may result in a follow-on production OT agreement without further competition.
Contact Information
- Agreements Officers: Haley M. K. Smith (haley.smith.10@us.af.mil) and Brooke Z. Vandeman (brooke.vandeman@us.af.mil).
- All questions must be submitted in writing to the provided email addresses.