This Sources Sought opportunity from Department Of Defense was posted on June 17, 2026. The submission period has ended. Browse the details below for market research, or find similar active opportunities.
Aerospace Systems Technical Research & Operations Support Services II (ASTROS II)
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
Active Opportunities Like This One
AI Contract Overview
The Air Force Research Laboratory, Detachment 7 is conducting market research under the temporary designation ASTROS II to identify qualified industry partners for comprehensive aerospace systems technical research and operations support services, with the goal of establishing a follow-on contract to support advanced rocket propulsion testing at Edwards Air Force Base, California. This Request for Information (RFI #3) builds on prior efforts and precedes a formal solicitation with an anticipated award in April 2027 and performance commencement in September 2027, targeting a 10-year contract period. The requirement centers on evaluating, engineering, reconfiguring, and modifying experimental test equipment and associated Property, Plant, and Equipment (PP&E), including thrust measurement, altitude simulation, deluge, fire retardation, and advanced instrumentation systems, across a broad spectrum from bench-scale components to strategic rocket motors. Contractors must demonstrate deep expertise in handling hazardous propellants—including toxic, hypergolic, cryogenic, and explosive materials—with strict adherence to AFMAN 91-201, T.O. 42B5-1-2, and AFRL/Edwards Site OI 32-7086 for safe storage, transport, handling, and disposal operations. Ancillary modifications to real property are permitted only when directly necessary to support PP&E and require prior approval from the Contracting Officer and EAFB Civil Engineering. The contractor will be required to implement and maintain a detailed Quality Control Plan to ensure compliance with the Draft Performance Work Statement, provide continuous updates to the Contracting Officer’s Representative on quality performance, and submit deliverables as prescribed in the Contract Data Requirements Lists and Work Plans. The requirement mandates a robust Management Information System capable of tracking costs by Work Breakdown Structure, CLIN, ACRN, and other financial identifiers across multiple funding sources, while also delivering timely reports at senior, mid-level, and operational management tiers. Personnel must hold at minimum a favorable National Agency Check with Inquiries, be subject to background updates, and maintain appropriate Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification levels per DFARS clauses 252.204-7021 and 252.204-7025. All personnel must wear company-issued identification badges, use company-affiliated email signatures, and comply with stringent security protocols including DD Form 254, Non-Disclosure Agreements, and Visitor Group Security Agreements. The Government is considering a full small business set-aside under NAICS code
General Info
Agency
Place of Performance
Edwards, CA, 93524, USASet-Aside
Timeline
Submission Closed
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
1. REQUIREMENT BACKGROUND & TRACKING:
This Industry Day Notice (RFI #3) is a continuation of the market research initiated under RFI #1 (Notice ID: [FA930027R6000]), which is currently closed/inactive, and RFI #2 ((Notice ID: [FA930027R6000-RFI02]), which is open with responses due by June 25, 2026. Industry Day is planned for 23 July 2027 at Edwards AFB. Details are included in the attachments.
The Government welcomes any advance question submissions via Attachment 3 - ASTROS II Industry Q&A Matrix, by 8 July 2026 to the POCs listed in this RFI.
For the purposes of this Request for Information (RFI), this requirement is temporarily designated as 'ASTROS II.' The Government advises all interested parties to track this requirement via the designated SAM.gov Notice ID, as the official program name is subject to change prior to the issuance of a formal solicitation.
2. MISSION OVERVIEW:
The Air Force Research Laboratory, Detachment 7 (AFRL Det 7/SST) is conducting market research to identify qualified industry partners capable of providing follow-on support for its advanced rocket propulsion testing mission.
The core capability requires the contractor to evaluate, engineer, reconfigure, and modify experimental research test equipment, test stands [Property, Plant, & Equipment (PP&E)], and associated systems. Furthermore, the contractor will be required to perform research and development test operations, provide test operation support, and maintain special test equipment and critical support infrastructure.
3. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS & SCOPE:
The tasks associated with this requirement (detailed in paragraph 4 of the attached Draft Performance Work Statement) demand specialized, highly technical knowledge across all aspects of rocket propulsion testing.
Scale of Testing:
The required scale of operations ranges from small bench-scale liquid engine components and tactical motors to launch booster-class engines and strategic rocket motors. Practical expertise in intermediate devices—including combined cycle designs, spacecraft propulsion, and space and missile propulsion system component testing—is also required.
Systems Integration & Expertise:
These tasks require a holistic working knowledge of complex testing systems to ensure the successful design, integration, execution, and data collection for integrated advanced propulsion systems and their associated PP&E. Key systems include, but are not limited to:
-
Steam and mechanical-driven altitude test systems
-
Thrust measurement systems
-
Advanced instrumentation and control systems
-
Equipment deluge and fire retardation systems
-
Special test equipment and associated support infrastructure
Propellant Handling & Engineering:
The contractor shall engineer, integrate, modify, activate, operate, and deactivate fuel and oxidizer propellant systems handling a wide range of hazardous materials. This includes toxic, storable, hypergolic, cryogenic, high-pressure, explosive, and hydrocarbon propellants. Additionally, the contractor is responsible for the safe handling, transport, and storage of these propellants and explosives.
Incidental Alterations to Real Property:
Incidental alterations to Real Property (e.g., utility tie-ins, pad penetrations, structural mounting) are authorized only when inextricably linked to, and strictly necessary for, the primary engineering modification of the PP&E test stands. All such ancillary Real Property alterations will require formal approval by the Contracting Officer and Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB) Civil Engineering.
Earlier notices in this NAICS code
Posted before this notice, open and closed
Find Active Opportunities Like This
Get AI-powered intelligence on the opportunities still open
Every page of the solicitation package shredded into a compliance breakdown
AI-powered matching based on your capabilities and past performance
Competitor and incumbent history on the requirement
Automated alerts on amendments, Q&A deadlines, and award
Join 750+ contractors already using CLEATUS