Bid guide
How to bid on Purchase Agents for Air Force Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (AFCOOL)
What the Air Force is buying and why it matters
The Department of the Air Force is preparing a contract for purchase agents to support its Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (AFCOOL) program. The selected contractor will be responsible for buying approved civilian and industry credentialing exams, course materials, exam preparation materials, and exam preparation courses or boot camps.
This work is important because it directly supports enlisted personnel across the Regular Air Force, Space Force, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard by providing them with opportunities to earn professional credentials. The purchases will be made on behalf of the AFCOOL Credentialing Program Office (CPO) and are associated with Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
This is currently a draft solicitation, published on July 22, 2026. The deadline for this draft is September 07, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET. However, it is crucial to understand that this is not the official solicitation, and proposals should not be submitted at this time.
The purpose of this draft is likely to gather feedback or provide advance notice of the upcoming requirement. An official pre-solicitation notice will be released later, which will inform interested parties when the actual solicitation will be posted for proposals.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is suitable for firms with experience as purchase agents, particularly those familiar with acquiring educational materials, exams, and courses from various credentialing agencies and vendors. Companies specializing in education support services or procurement for training programs would be a good fit.
The work falls under the education category, focusing on professional development and certification for military personnel.
How to access the draft solicitation
To view the draft solicitation, you need to click “View original source” on the portal. If the first click takes you to the portal’s homepage, simply click the link again, and it should direct you to the specific bid.
You may or may not need a free account on the portal to view the associated documents. For many bids, an account is not required to access the information.
Tips for preparing a competitive response
Even though this is a draft, use this time to understand the scope of work thoroughly. Identify potential credentialing agencies and vendors you might partner with or purchase from. Research the types of exams, courses, and materials typically associated with military credentialing programs.
Start gathering information about your firm's capabilities in procurement, vendor management, and supporting large-scale educational or training initiatives. When the official solicitation is released, be prepared to clearly demonstrate your ability to efficiently and accurately purchase and manage a high volume of diverse educational resources for a large beneficiary group.
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.