Bid guide
How to bid on Range Training Officers (IDIQ) for the Department of Defense
What the Air Force is buying and why it matters
The U.S. Air Force needs one contractor to provide specialized support for large combat training exercises. This includes tactical control, threat emulation, post-mission data validation, and intelligence integration services. The work will primarily support exercises like Red Flag-Alaska and Red Flag-Nellis at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska and Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.
This opportunity is for a single-award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. The contractor will provide personnel with expertise equivalent to a USAF Instructor or Weapons Officer. They will also need to provide proprietary software to validate simulated weapons use against up to 400 targets with 99% accuracy. This support is crucial for enhancing the fidelity of air-to-air and air-to-surface training.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
This is a pre-solicitation notice, meaning the official Request for Proposals (RFP) is not yet released. The current RFI was published on July 30, 2026, and responses are due by August 14, 2026, at 4:00 PM ET. The RFP is expected to be issued around the last week of August 2026.
The anticipated ordering period for the contract is from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2031. At the August 14 deadline, the agency will review the information submitted in response to this pre-solicitation notice to help shape the final RFP.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is suitable for firms with a strong background in military training support, particularly those with experience in large force exercises and range operations. The contractor must provide subject matter experts with verifiable experience in tactical control, threat emulation, and mission data integrity.
A critical requirement is that offerors must already possess a Top Secret (TS) Facility Security Clearance (FCL) prior to the start of the performance period. Firms that can provide proprietary software for real-time simulated air-to-surface weapons employment validation will be particularly well-suited.
How to respond to this pre-solicitation
To access the original source of this pre-solicitation notice, you will need to click the “View original source” button on the portal. If the first click takes you to the portal’s homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid.
You may need to create a free account on the portal to view all associated documents. However, for many bids, you can view documents without an account. Review all available documents carefully to understand the full scope and requirements.
Tips for preparing a competitive response
Even though this is a pre-solicitation, begin preparing by thoroughly reviewing the description of services required. Focus on how your firm's expertise directly aligns with providing specialized tactical control, threat emulation, and post-mission data validation.
Highlight your firm's experience with large force exercises and your ability to provide personnel with verifiable experience equivalent to a USAF Instructor or Weapons Officer. Clearly demonstrate your firm's capability to meet the Top Secret facility security clearance requirement. If your firm possesses proprietary software for weapons employment validation, be prepared to detail its capabilities and accuracy.
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 Defense; the original posting controls.