Bid guide
How to bid on MH-139 Color Weather Radar for the Department of the Air Force
What the Air Force is buying and why it matters
The U.S. Air Force is seeking information on a Color Weather Radar (CWR) system with ground-mapping capabilities for its MH-139A helicopters. This system is crucial for enabling continued mission execution in challenging weather conditions, especially given the MH-139A's role in nuclear security missions where extreme and sudden weather is common.
The current lightning detection system is not sufficient as a primary weather avoidance tool. The Air Force needs a CWR to allow pilots to operate safely and effectively in low-visibility and marginal weather, ensuring the aircraft can meet its mission requirements immediately upon notification. This is a market research effort to inform future acquisition strategies.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
This Request for Information (RFI) was published on July 23, 2026. Responses are due by August 24, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. All responses must be submitted electronically.
This is an RFI, not a solicitation for bids. The Air Force is gathering information to help develop its acquisition strategy, Statement of Work, and performance specifications. There is no guarantee that a formal solicitation will follow, and the government will not reimburse companies for the cost of preparing responses.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is suitable for companies with expertise in aircraft manufacturing, specifically those capable of designing, integrating, and testing avionics systems for vertical lift aircraft. Firms with experience in Color Weather Radar systems and ground mapping capabilities are particularly relevant.
The Air Force is looking for non-developmental, rapidly acquirable solutions that are commercially available or already within the military supply system, with a proven record of use in DoD or civil aviation. Companies that have previously integrated similar systems on the AW-139 or its variants should highlight this experience. The relevant NAICS code is 336413 (Aircraft Manufacturing), with a size standard of 1,500 employees.
How to respond to this RFI
Responses should be no more than 15 single-sided pages and must be submitted electronically. Companies must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).
Your response should be structured into specific sections: Company Information (including CAGE Code, business size, and ownership), Technical Capability (detailing your proposed solution, integration approach, weight breakdown, and experience), Cost and Schedule (Rough Order of Magnitude cost estimates and timelines), and Small Business Utilization (if applicable).
Practical tips for a competitive response
Clearly address all requested sections in your response. For technical capability, provide detailed descriptions, concept diagrams, and preliminary specifications of your proposed CWR solution. Emphasize how your system meets the estimated 20-pound weight limit and how its impact on aircraft weight and balance would be managed.
Highlight any prior experience with AW-139 or similar vertical lift aircraft avionics integrations, especially if your solution has already been certified. If not, clearly outline your approach to obtaining an FAA-approved Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the MH-139A. Identify potential challenges and propose mitigation strategies. Remember to mark any proprietary or competition-sensitive information appropriately.
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.