Bid guide
How to bid on Tactical Air-Launched Weapon Demonstrating Industrialization for the DEPT of Defense
What the Air Force is buying and why it matters
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is looking for new ways to produce an air-launched hypersonic weapon. The goal is to significantly reduce the cost of these weapons, aiming for less than one-fifth of current system costs, and to increase the production rate by more than five times.
This opportunity is for businesses that can offer innovative solutions in manufacturing and engineering. The Air Force is interested in approaches that use modular open architectures, design for manufacturing principles, and digital engineering. This effort is critical for enhancing national defense capabilities through more efficient and affordable weapon production.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
This is a notice of an upcoming focused call under the existing Pioneering Aerospace Capabilities, Engineering and Research (PACER) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). The call is expected to be posted on SAM.gov as an amendment to the parent BAA within 15 days of September 1, 2026.
The deadline for responses to this focused call is September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET. At this deadline, proposals will be due. Specific submission instructions will be provided in the full call when it is released. Interested parties should monitor SAM.gov for the official release.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is suitable for firms with expertise in advanced manufacturing, aerospace engineering, and digital engineering, particularly those with experience in weapon systems or complex defense technologies. Businesses that can demonstrate innovative approaches to cost reduction and production efficiency for high-tech systems will be well-suited.
The relevant category for this work is professional services, focusing on research and development in aerospace and defense. Companies with capabilities in modular design, open architectures, and design for manufacturing will find this call aligns with their strengths.
How to respond to this solicitation
To access the full details of this opportunity, you will need to monitor SAM.gov for the official release of the focused call. The call will be issued as an amendment to the existing Broad Agency Announcement FA2391-23-S-2403, titled “Pioneering Aerospace Capabilities, Engineering & Research (PACER).”
Once the call is released, you can view the original source on the portal. 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.
Practical tips for a competitive response
When preparing your response, clearly articulate how your proposed solution achieves the cost reduction and production rate increase targets. Provide concrete examples or methodologies for how you will implement modular open architectures, design for manufacturing, and digital engineering principles.
Focus on demonstrating a clear understanding of the technical objectives. Even though specific evaluation criteria are not yet available, generally, proposals that are well-structured, technically sound, and clearly address the agency's stated goals tend to be more competitive. Ensure your proposal highlights your firm's relevant experience and capabilities in these advanced areas.
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.