Survivability Test Stand
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 is soliciting proposals for a Survivability Test Stand (STS), a new outdoor facility at Holloman Air Force Base, NM, to expand ground-test capabilities for high-fidelity Radar Cross Section (RCS), Infrared (IR), and acoustic measurements from running aircraft engines. This is a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Single Award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. Proposals are due March 9, 2026, at 1400 MST.
Purpose & Scope
The primary objective is to address a critical ground-test capability gap by designing, procuring, and installing an STS capable of testing current and future large military engines. The scope includes various Preliminary Design Reviews (PDRs) for the Test Stand (Engine Stand, Turntable), Radar components (2-D Deep Cavity Scanner, IR, Acoustics, SAR/ISAR), and essential Infrastructure (Mission Control, Facility Storage, Fuel Storage/Delivery, Target Prep, Fire Suppression, Earthwork). The initial Delivery Order (DO 1) will focus on completing the PDR for the entire STS system. Key deliverables also include System Requirements Review (SRR), Kick-off meetings, and numerous plans and reports (e.g., Project Management, Systems Engineering Management, Risk Management).
Contract Details
- Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Single Award IDIQ
- Ordering Period: Five years, with orders issued from April 17, 2026, through April 16, 2029. The estimated start date for the initial order is June 15, 2026.
- Value: IDIQ Ceiling of $125,000,000.00. Minimum order amount is $50,000.00, and the maximum order amount is $90,000,000.00.
- Set-Aside: Unrestricted. However, all offerors must submit a Small Business Participation Commitment Document (SBPCD) demonstrating a minimum of 10% small business participation. Other than small businesses must also submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan.
- NAICS: 334511 (Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, and Control Instrument Manufacturing)
- Place of Performance: Primarily Holloman AFB, NM, and White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), NM.
Submission Requirements
Proposals must be submitted electronically via the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE) Solicitation Module by March 9, 2026, at 1400 MST. Submissions must be organized into four volumes: Volume I (Contract Documentation), Volume II (Technical Proposal - 100-page limit), Volume III (Initial Order Price Proposal), and Volume IV (Past Performance Information). Offerors must use the provided pricing sheet (Attachment 4.7 Amendment 0001) and Past Performance Information (PPI) Tool.
Evaluation Criteria
This is a Best Value Source Selection. Proposals will be evaluated on three factors: Technical (pass/fail), Price, and Past Performance. Past Performance is significantly more important than price for technically acceptable offers. The government intends to award without discussions but reserves the right to conduct them. Technical proposals will be assessed for understanding, approach, and integration. Price proposals will be evaluated for completeness, reasonableness, realism, and unbalanced pricing.
Key Considerations
Access to export-controlled attachments (e.g., Use Cases, KPPs/KSAs) requires Joint Certification Program (JCP) certification. Offerors must address Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) with a mitigation plan and demonstrate NIST SP 800-171 compliance. A site visit was scheduled for February 24-26, 2026, with attendance limitations. Non-government advisors may review technical and cost/price data.