How to bid on aircraft diffuser cases for the Air Force

What the Air Force is buying and why it matters

The Department of Defense, specifically the Air Force, is seeking approximately 729 diffuser cases for J85 aircraft engines. The quantity range is from 182 to 1,094 units. These cases house the inner cone, flameholder, and diffuser liner where exhaust gases mix with fuel and ignite.

This is a request for information (RFI) which means the agency is gathering details from potential vendors. While the government intends to negotiate with General Electric as the only approved source, interested offerors are encouraged to submit Source Approval Requests (SARs) as soon as possible. This could lead to future opportunities even if not for this specific award.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This RFI was published on September 02, 2026. The solicitation is expected to be published on September 18, 2026. Responses to the solicitation will be due by October 19, 2026. Delivery of the diffuser cases is planned in monthly lots of 100 from December 2026 through July 2027.

The government will review responses to the solicitation. If competition is received, a revised solicitation will be posted. Otherwise, the government intends to negotiate with the identified sole source.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for manufacturers and suppliers of aircraft engine components, particularly those with experience in producing diffuser cases or similar precision parts for military aircraft. Firms with expertise in export control requirements and Unique Item Identification (UID) are also well-suited.

While General Electric is the only approved source currently, companies capable of manufacturing these parts should consider submitting a Source Approval Request (SAR) to become an approved source for future procurements. The National Stock Number (NSN) for this item is 2840-01-176-9156OK and the Part Number is 6029T59G02.

How to respond to this RFI

To access the opportunity, you will need to click the 'View original source' link. If the first click takes you to the portal's homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid. You may need a free account to view all documents, though this is not always required.

Electronic procedures will be used for this solicitation. Hard copies will not be sent. The solicitation will be available for download only on Sam.gov. No telephone requests will be accepted; only written or faxed requests directly from the requestors are acceptable.

Practical tips for preparing a competitive response

Even though this is an RFI and a sole-source intent is stated, submitting a Source Approval Request (SAR) is crucial for future opportunities. Ensure your SAR package is complete and addresses all technical specifications. The government will not delay contract award to review pending SARs.

Pay close attention to the specified delivery schedule, which requires monthly lots of 100 units from December 2026 through July 2027. Highlight your firm's capability to meet these deadlines. Also, clearly demonstrate your ability to comply with export control and Unique Item Identification (UID) requirements, as these are mandatory for this procurement.

If you have questions, direct them to the buyer, Asaycia Clayton, at 405-855-3000 or [email protected]. An Ombudsman is also available at (405) 734-8241 for concerns during the proposal development phase, but do not call this number for solicitation requests.