How to bid on the Data at Rest upgrade for the Department of the Air Force

What the Air Force is seeking

The Department of the Air Force is seeking information from vendors able to install and integrate a government-owned KG-204-based solution to replace obsolete DAR-400 equipment on its E-3G AWACS fleet. The existing equipment is mission-critical, and the replacement is intended to address obsolescence and support current DoD and NSA mandates.

This is a Request for Information for market research, not a contract solicitation. The Air Force says it will use responses to assess vendor interest and qualifications, including when considering a small-business set-aside.

Deadline and what to submit

Responses are requested by October 30, 2026, at 3 p.m. CDT, which is 4 p.m. ET. The response deadline is the same day and time stated in the opportunity summary.

Submit an unclassified response electronically. It must be no more than ten single-spaced pages, in 12-point Times New Roman with margins of at least one inch, and in Microsoft Word format.

Who this opportunity may suit

This request is relevant to firms with qualifications and personnel for installing and integrating the government-owned KG-204-based replacement solution. Respondents should describe experience on similar projects and whether they expect to participate as a prime contractor or subcontractor.

Businesses of all sizes may respond, including firms in socioeconomic programs such as 8(a), HUBZone, Women-Owned Small Business, or SDVOSB. The Air Force requests business size, status, and anticipated teaming arrangements.

How to access the opportunity

Use “View original source” above to open the opportunity on the portal. If the first click takes you to the portal homepage, click it again to go directly to the opportunity.

A free account may be needed to view documents, though some opportunities do not require one. The listing includes attachments titled DAR 400 Follow On SOW_Sep 2026 and DAR Follow-On draft CDRL_DID Package 2026.

How to prepare a useful response

Include a cover letter and keep the package brief and focused. Explain how your capabilities and qualified personnel relate to installation and integration of the replacement, and give the type and duration of relevant employee experience.

Describe your business size, business status, anticipated team, and your role on similar work, including the time periods involved. Use concrete evidence of capability rather than relying on a company website; responses that only provide a website will not be considered.

Check the page limit, font, margins, file format, classification, and deadline before sending. The Air Force says it will not pay respondents for information provided in response to this market research request.