RFI for KC-46 Electrical Boom Test Bench (ETB)

Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI)

Agency: Department of the Air Force, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), KC-46 System Program Office (WLC)

1.0 Disclaimer

This Sources Sought Synopsis / Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for information and planning purposes and constitutes market research in accordance with FAR Part 10. This is NOT a Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quotation (RFQ), or Invitation for Bid (IFB). It does not constitute a commitment by the United States Government to issue a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. The Government will not reimburse any costs associated with responding to this notice. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked PROPRIETARY will be handled accordingly.

2.0 Background & Objective

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), KC-46 SPO (WLC), is conducting market research to identify potential sources capable of manufacturing and delivering eight (8) modernized Electrical Boom Test Benches (ETB) (New PN: 842-652042; Legacy PN: STE842-349510; NSN: 4920-01-686-1331).

The ETB is a highly specialized, mission-essential piece of support equipment required to perform critical operational load and avionics testing immediately after the assembly of the KC-46 Pegasus Aerial Refueling Boom (ARB). The eight (8) delivery locations are: Altus AFB, McConnell AFB, Pease ANGB, Seymour Johnson AFB, JBMDL, Travis AFB, Tinker AFB, and March AFB.

3.0 Technical Requirements & Constraints

Potential sources must be able to manufacture a system capable of the following:

1. Interfacing exclusively with the unique electrical and avionics architecture of the KC-46 Pegasus ARB.
2. Executing precise, secure digital handshakes with the ARB's avionics.
3. Simulating heavy electrical load profiles identical to actual flight conditions to safely and accurately interrogate the ARB electrical systems.

4.0 Requested Information

Interested parties who believe they possess the technical capability and resources to fulfill this requirement are requested to submit a Capability Statement addressing the following:

A. Company Profile:

Company Name and Doing Business As (DBA) name (if applicable).

CAGE Code, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and DUNS number.

Company mailing address and Point of Contact (Name, Title, Phone, and Email).

Socio-economic status (e.g., Large Business, Small Business, SDVOSB, WOSB, etc.) under NAICS Code 336413.

B. Capability & Technical Approach:

A brief description of your company's experience in manufacturing complex, specialized aviation diagnostic and ground support equipment (specifically related to aerial refueling boom systems or similar heavy electrical/avionics test benches).

Estimated cost/price per unit and timeline (in months) to delivery the ETBs. 

Indicate if this item is readily available or if it still requires further development. If further development is required, what is the estimated lead time for completion?

Identify any existing commercial or off-the-shelf systems your company produces that could be adapted to meet this requirement.

5.0 Submission Instructions

Responses must be submitted via email to the primary Point of Contact listed below no later than 10:00 AM EDT on 28 July 2026.

Capability Statements should be no longer than ten (10) pages in length (excluding cover page). Please use standard 8.5 x 11-inch format, 12-point font.