Bid guide
How to bid on Flight Test, Telemetry and Termination (FT3) Flight Test Kit Production for the Dept of the Air Force
What the Air Force is buying and why it matters
The Department of the Air Force, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC/NIKM), located at Hill AFB, UT, needs 25 Flight Test, Telemetry, and Termination (FT3) flight test kits. These kits are essential for the Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Force Development Evaluation Operational Test Launch (OTL) Program.
The kits are to be delivered to Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, precisely 120 days before scheduled Operational Test Launches. The total estimated program value is approximately $955 million, covering a period of performance from October 2027 through September 2035.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
This solicitation was published on July 07, 2026. The deadline for submitting responses is January 04, 2027, at 7:00 PM ET. This notice is not a request for competitive proposals, and a written solicitation will be issued directly to The Boeing Company.
However, any responsible source that believes it can meet these requirements may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation. Information received will be evaluated to determine whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future. A decision by the government not to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is at their discretion.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is primarily intended for The Boeing Company, as the government has identified them as the sole source with the necessary unique technical data, specialized engineering expertise, and established manufacturing infrastructure. The Air Force has determined that awarding to any other source would result in significant cost duplication and unacceptable delays.
However, this is also an opportunity for other firms with highly specialized capabilities in security, particularly those with experience in missile flight test components or similar complex defense systems, to demonstrate their ability to meet these requirements. Submitting a capability statement could influence future procurement decisions.
How to respond
To access the opportunity, click “View original source” on the portal. If the first click leads to the portal’s homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid. You may need a free account to view documents, though this is not always required.
All responses must be submitted electronically to the Points of Contact listed in the original posting, no later than the response deadline.
Practical tips for preparing a competitive response
Even though this is a sole-source solicitation, a well-prepared capability statement can be valuable. Focus on clearly demonstrating how your firm possesses the unique technical data, specialized engineering expertise, and established manufacturing infrastructure that the government has identified as critical.
Provide concrete examples of past performance on similar projects, highlighting your ability to meet strict performance schedules and deliver complex defense components. Quantify your capabilities where possible to show how you could avoid the cost duplication and delays the government anticipates with other sources.
See the live bid — deadline, agency details, and how to respond
Dates and requirements can change via addenda; always verify on the bid page and at the original source before responding.
View this bid on BiddingSimpleThis guide was prepared by BiddingSimple from the solicitation’s public posting. It is not official guidance from Dept of the Air Force; the original posting controls.