Request for Information - Next Generation Penetrator Tail Kit Development

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions submitted regarding the NGP Phase 1B RFI.

• CUI Attachment Changes: There have been no material changes to the CUI attachment from the previous RFI. Additional guidance was provided in three tables.
• CUI Access Extension: Requests for CUI have been extended to March 18th, 2026, with no material change to the access date.
• LAR Generation Approach: The weapon system will generate its own Launch Acceptability Region (LAR), but the aircraft will make the final LAR determination. Specific details will be provided at a later date.
• Platform Compatibility: The weapon system will be compatible with both UAI and non-UAI systems. More specific details will be provided at a future date.
• Existing Platform LAR Compliance: The weapon system will generate its own LAR, and the aircraft makes the final LAR determination. Specific details will be provided at a future date.
• Page Count Inclusivity: For this RFI, the page count is inclusive of all items. However, for the future RFP, the page count limit will not include parenthetical items listed in the question.

This Q&A document clarifies aspects of the RFI and provides an extension for CUI access. It does not appear to alter any fundamental requirements or deadlines for the RFI itself, but it does provide insight into how LARs will be handled in the future RFP.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Armament Directorate, Attack Division (AFLCMC/EBD) to conduct market research for an industry analysis of capabilities related to the Next Generation Penetrator Tail Kit Development. The goal is to characterize technological, manufacturing, and business capabilities to inform a trade space analysis for potential technology demonstration needs. This RFI does not constitute a solicitation and is for information and planning purposes only.

Respondents are requested to provide white papers on:

• TK Design Maturation: Maturing a Government-supplied technical data package (TDP) for a Weapon Open System Architecture (WOSA) designed tail kit (TK) at the preliminary design review (PDR) level.

• OFP Software Development: Developing operational flight program (OFP) software for the provided tail kit.

• Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) Testing: Planning, organizing, and conducting SIL testing, including analysis of impact accuracy.

• Hardware Production: Producing 3 to 5 functioning full-scale TK systems.

• Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Testing: Planning, organizing, and conducting HIL testing, including analysis of functionality.

• Flight Testing/Integration: Building tail kits for developmental test series (18-21 flights), providing support and data analysis, and supporting aircraft integration for flight certification.

• White Paper Submissions: Respondents should submit white papers detailing their capabilities for software, hardware, flight test/integration, or a combination thereof.

• Page Limits: Specific page limits apply based on the scope of the submission (e.g., 10 pages for software only, 20 pages for all-inclusive).

• File Formats: Only .pdf, .docx, and .xlsx documents are allowable. .zip and .exe files will be deleted.

• Questions Deadline: 9 March 2026, 1200 CDT.

• Response Due Date: 25 March 2026, 1400 CDT.

• The Government encourages all responsible businesses, including small businesses, to respond.

• Respondents should indicate their size in relation to NAICS Code 334511 and their socio-economic status.

• The Government reserves the right to consider a small business set-aside based on responses.

• All prospective vendors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database.

• A controlled document with additional system attribute details is available upon request via DD Form 2345.

• Access to the controlled document is available until 18 March 2026.

• Responses are voluntary and will not affect future bidding opportunities. No payment will be made for costs incurred in responding to this RFI.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by the Department of the Air Force, Air Force Material Command (AFLCMC/EBDA) for market research purposes. The Air Force is seeking information on industry capabilities to develop and produce a materiel solution for the Next Generation Penetrator Tail Kit Development. This RFI does not constitute a solicitation and is for planning purposes only.

The Air Force is seeking information on capabilities related to:

• Maturing a Government-supplied technical data package (TDP) for a Weapon Open System Architecture (WOSA) designed tail kit.
• Developing operational flight program (OFP) software for the tail kit.
• Supplying assets for flight testing and aircraft integration.

Specific areas of interest include:

• Software: Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) with GPS-degraded capabilities, Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) testing, and OFP software integration.

• Hardware: Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing, developing a Critical Design Review (CDR) TDP Level 3, and producing 3 to 5 full-scale TK systems.

• Flight Testing/Integration: Building tail kits for developmental test series, providing support and data analysis, and aircraft integration for flight certification.

• A 9-12 month Period of Performance (PoP) is requested for software and hardware development.

• Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) for software development, hardware procurement, HIL/SIL testing, and optional follow-on efforts is requested.

• Interested parties are requested to submit white papers detailing their capabilities.

• Specific page limits and file type restrictions (.pdf, .docx, .xlsx) apply based on the scope of the submission (Software, Hardware, Flight Test/Integration, combined, or all-inclusive).

• Responses are due by 1400 (CDT) on Monday, 23 March 2026.

• Questions are due by 1200 (CDT) on Monday, 9 March 2026.

• All responsible businesses, including small businesses, are encouraged to respond.

• The Government may consider a small business set-aside based on responses.

• Respondents must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database.

• A controlled document containing system attribute details is available upon request via DD Form 2345. Access to this document is available until 3 March 2026.

• Responses to this RFI are voluntary and will not affect future offeror ability to submit if a solicitation is released.