Active Expendable Decoy ( AED ) Procurement and Support

2026-11-03

DISCLAIMER : THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY . THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL . IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT . RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT . NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT . ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY . INTRODUCTION : The Naval Air Systems Command ( NAVAIR ) at Patuxent River , MD announces its requirement to procure Active Expendable Decoys ( AED ), related support and test equipment and tooling requirements for the F - 35 , F - 18 , and other USG platforms . The proposed class of contracting actions will procure a best estimated quantity of approximately 3 , 000 AEDs per year for the first two years , increasing to approximately 6 , 000 for follow - on years , as well as initial spare impulse cartridges , support equipment , support equipment repairs and field service representatives for Fiscal Year ( FY ) 27 through FY31 U . S . Navy and Other Customer requirements . THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL . It is a market research tool being used to determine potential and eligible businesses capable of providing the supplies and services described herein prior to determining the method of acquisition and issuance of a Request for Proposal . The Government is not obligated to and will not pay for any information received from potential sources as a result of this notice . ELIGIBILITY : The Product / Service Code ( PSC ) most appropriate for this contract is 5865 : Electronic Countermeasures , Counter - Countermeasures and Quick Reaction Capability Equipment . All interested businesses are encouraged to respond ; however , each respondent must clearly identify their business size in their capabilities statement . At a minimum , a DD Form 254 Contract Security Classification Specification shall apply to this requirement and the prime contractor shall have or demonstrate ability to obtain a “ Secret ” Facility Clearance . ANTICIPATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE : This contract is planned to contain a base year with up to four option years and is intended to satisfy requirements for FY27 through FY31 . The anticipated award date is November 2026 . The Government anticipates AED end item deliveries will commence as early as four months , but no later than ten months after contract award , and no later than ten months after each respective option exercise . All quantities must be manufactured and delivered within 12 months of the first delivery in each period . Initial production is anticipated to be an estimated 300 devices per month . ANTICIPATED CONTRACT TYPE : The contract type for this contract is anticipated to be a mix of Fixed Price for production line items ( AEDs , impulse cartridges and support equipment ) and Cost Reimbursable for support equipment repairs and field service representatives line items . PROGRAM BACKGROUND : AEDs have provided required Radio Frequency Countermeasure ( RFCM ) capability to DoD airborne platforms . AEDs are typically completely independent from the rest of the aircraft system , providing additional RFCM capability . F - 35 aircraft have tested and integrated AED capability , which resulted in a fielding decision . F - 18 aircraft are anticipated to have an AED fielding decision by FY27 . REQUIRED CAPABILITIES : The Contractor must possess the manufacturing technology , infrastructure , and capacity to produce the self - contained RFCM , battery - operated free - fall decoys and conduct verification and inspection testing , as required , for the estimated quantities and within the required timelines detailed above . In addition , the AED solution must meet the following requirements : 2 " x 1 " x 8 " form factorMission load programmable by the GovernmentDemonstrated RFCM performance capability evaluated at TRL - 9 , defined as : “ Actual system proven through successful mission operations ” Evaluated at MRL - 9 , defined as : “ Demonstrated Low - Rate Production capability in place to begin Full - Rate production ” Must be qualified for use on F - 35 and ready for immediate productionMust be qualified and ready for use on F - 18 and other USG platforms following a production decisionIf existing technical data is necessary to complete these required capabilities , interested businesses shall demonstrate that your company currently possesses or has authorized access to the necessary technical data , or has a viable plan to obtain , generate , or otherwise secure the necessary technical data , and that it will be maintained throughout the duration of the effort being solicited . Interested businesses shall demonstrate the capability to meet the Government ’ s required timeline . Interested businesses may also submit information that demonstrates how you could potentially meet this requirement for future production opportunities , using capital investment , to include a summary of your current AED capabilities , technical and manufacturing maturities , and your anticipated timeline , risks , and opportunities to achieve the capability requirements in this notice . SUBMISSION DETAILS : Interested businesses shall submit a brief capabilities statement package ( no more than twelve ( 12 ) 8 . 5 x 11 inch pages , font no smaller than 12 point , 1 . 5 line spaced ) demonstrating their ability to deliver the supplies and services described herein without delay upon , contract award , and include , at a minimum : Capability Assessment : Address your company ’ s ability to deliver the required capabilities within the timelines identified above . Provide supporting evidence for meeting timeline and capability requirements listed above . Data Rights : Identify any data rights restrictions associated with the proposed solution . Cost and Risk Assessment : Identify potential cost and schedule risks and outline specific impacts and mitigation . Discuss ROM costs , e . g . per unit cost , quantity cost breaks , and the degree of risk associated with each element . Business Systems Status : Identify all DCMA - approved business systems and date of latest approval ( e . g . Accounting , Property Management , Purchasing , Estimating , etc .). In addition to these requirements , interested businesses shall adhere to the following submission instructions : 1 . Document Type : Microsoft Word2 . Delivery : The capability statement package shall be sent by electronic mail ( email ) to Elizabeth Lamb ; Contract Specialist , at elizabeth . v . lamb2 . civ @ us . navy . mil . 3 . Response Date : Submissions must be received via email no later than 09 : 00 a . m . Eastern Standard Time on 11 March 2026 . 4 . No classified information shall be submitted in response to this Sources Sought . 5 . Questions or comments regarding this notice may be addressed to Elizabeth Lamb at the above email address . No phone calls will be accepted . 6 . All responses shall include Sources Sought Notice name / number , Company Name , Company Address , Company Business Size , Cage Code , and Points - of - Contact ( POC ) including name , phone number , and email address . 7 . All data received in response to this Sources Sought that is marked or designated as corporate or proprietary will be fully protected from any release outside the Government . Any information or materials provided in response to this Sources Sought Notice will not be returned . The Government is not committed nor obligated to pay for the information provided , and no basis for claims against the Government shall arise as a result of a response to this Sources Sought Notice .

Maryland

2026-05-02