USAF F-16 Next-Generation Mission Compute (NGMC) Upgrade for Combat Capabilities for F-16, Blocks 40/42/50/52
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 Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) has issued a Sources Sought / Capabilities Request for Information (CRFI) for the USAF F-16 Next-Generation Mission Compute (NGMC) Upgrade for F-16 Blocks 40/42/50/52. This is market research to identify potential sources with the capabilities and manufacturing maturity to design, develop, manufacture, and integrate this critical upgrade. Responses are due by June 29, 2026, at 1700 ET.
Program Overview & Scope
The NGMC program aims to replace the F-16 Post-Block Modular Mission Computer (MMC) for both USAF and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Partners. The upgrade must be a form, fit, and function (FFF) replacement, supporting existing F-16 functional requirements and rehosting the legacy MMC Operational Flight Program (OFP). Key requirements include a modern, software-defined architecture based on a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), with hardware conforming to DoD-mandated SOSA standards. The solution should break vendor lock, preferring Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) or modified COTS modules, and provide physical separation of safety-critical and mission-critical compute resources. An automated development ecosystem with a CI/CD pipeline is also required to support both USAF and FMS configurations. Detailed requirements are in the controlled Attachment 2.
Requested Capabilities
Interested parties must submit a Capability Statement addressing:
- Company Information: Basic data, business size (including small business designations like 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB), Facility Clearance Level (FCL), and points of contact.
- Technical & Manufacturing Capabilities: Approach to processing, thermal, and SWaP-C constraints; experience with MOSA/SOSA compliance, AMS GRA, and rehosting legacy OFP; relevant fixed-wing aircraft avionics experience; manufacturing readiness (LRIP to FRP); supply chain security (SAE AS5553); FMS compatibility and exportability; and data rights for existing products.
- Past Performance: Up to three recent and relevant examples (within 5 years) of designing/manufacturing ruggedized avionics or mission computers for DoW airborne platforms.
Submission Details
- Page Limit: 20 single-sided pages.
- Format: Utilize Attachment 1 – Response Submittal Template, submitted in PDF format (12-point font).
- Deadline: Monday, June 29, 2026, at 1700 ET.
- Submission: Email responses to Jason Brown (jason.brown.148@us.af.mil) and Zaria Gray-Goodnight (zaria.gray-goodnight@us.af.mil).
- Industry Day: The Government intends to host an Industry Day; details will be provided separately.
Important Notes
This is for planning purposes only and is not a solicitation. The Government will not pay for information submitted. Proprietary information must be clearly marked. No specific set-aside is designated for this market research, but the Air Force is actively seeking to identify potential sources across various business sizes, including small businesses, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, and WOSB.