Bid guide
How to bid on Robotic Sheet Metal Forming CAPABILITY REQUEST FOR INFORMATION from DEPT of Defense
What the Air Force is seeking
The U.S. Air Force Rapid Sustainment Office is looking for information on robotic systems that can form sheet metal without needing specific dies or heavy tooling. This capability would be used to produce components for aircraft and equipment at various facilities.
The goal is to find existing commercial systems or adaptable solutions that can reduce reliance on traditional supply chains, eliminate the need for part-specific hard tooling, and speed up low-volume manufacturing and prototyping.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
This Request for Information (RFI) was published on August 27, 2026. Responses are due by October 27, 2026, at 4:00 PM ET.
This is market research only. It is not a request for proposals or a commitment by the government to award a contract. The Air Force is gathering information and will not reimburse costs for responding to this notice.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is for companies that offer existing or adaptable robotic systems for sheet metal forming. This includes solutions utilizing dual-sided or single-sided synchronized robotic arm manipulators with interchangeable forming styli.
Vendors should be able to describe commercial systems, details on integration into industrial facilities, operator training, technical support, tooling/stylus consumables, and system maintenance.
How to access and respond
To view the full details and any attached documents, you will need to access the original source on the portal. Click the provided link to open the opportunity. If the first click takes you to the portal's homepage, click the link again to go directly to the bid.
You may need a free account to view documents, though this is not always required for every bid.
Tips for preparing a competitive response
Focus your response on clearly describing your existing commercial technologies and how your hardware and software solutions can be integrated into industrial Department of Defense facilities. Highlight how your solution meets the objective of reducing reliance on traditional supply chains and eliminating hard tooling.
Provide specific details on optional services such as operator training, technical support, tooling/stylus consumables, and system maintenance. Ensure your submission is concise and directly addresses the capabilities requested in the RFI.
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.