Bid guide
How to bid on the Tactical Air Traffic Control (ATC) Command and Control (C2) System (TACOS) for the Air Force
What the Air Force is buying and why it matters
The Department of the Air Force is conducting market research for a new Tactical Air Traffic Control Command and Control System, referred to as TACOS. This system is intended to replace current expeditionary ATC systems that are not suitable for modern multi-domain warfare.
The Air Force envisions TACOS as a modular, scalable, and highly interoperable system. It needs to ingest and process tactical data from various sources, including Battle Management Command and Control (BMC2), Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and Weather (WX) networks, fusing them with traditional Air Traffic Control (ATC) processing to create a unified airspace awareness picture. The goal is to provide essential links between aircrew and the airfield environment in all operational settings, including austere or contested environments. Solutions should be actionable within two years.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
This Request for Information (RFI) was published on July 24, 2026. Responses are due by August 28, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET. This is an RFI only, meaning it is for market research purposes and is not a solicitation for a contract. The Air Force will not pay for information provided in response to this RFI, and no contract will result directly from this synopsis.
The information gathered from this RFI will be used to inform the development of a potential future acquisition strategy for the TACOS system.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is suitable for technology firms registered in the United States that specialize in command and control systems, air traffic control technology, data fusion, and modular open systems architectures. The Air Force is looking for solutions that are expeditionary, modular, mobile, and secure, capable of operating in austere or contested environments.
Firms with expertise in integrating radar, aircraft, unmanned systems, tactical networks, and weather data into a unified operational picture, especially with a focus on survivability and resilience against kinetic and non-kinetic threats, will find this RFI relevant. The proposed solutions should be ready for implementation within two years.
How to respond
To access the full details of this RFI, click “View original source” 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 a free account to view any associated documents, though this is not always required.
Once you have reviewed the RFI document, prepare your response according to the instructions provided within the RFI. Ensure your submission addresses the key system capabilities and desired attributes outlined by the Air Force.
Practical tips for preparing a competitive response
When responding to an RFI, focus on clearly demonstrating your firm's capabilities and how your proposed solution directly addresses the agency's stated needs. Since this RFI emphasizes a modular, scalable, and highly interoperable system with a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), highlight your experience with open architectures and rapid integration of third-party hardware and software.
Emphasize how your solution meets the requirements for expeditionary deployment, survivability in contested environments, and seamless interoperability across various networks. Provide concrete examples or conceptual designs that illustrate how your system can fuse diverse data feeds and support varying operational configurations, from low-demand to high-demand scenarios. Clearly state how your solution can be actionable within the two-year timeframe specified.
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.