NAWCAD Long Range Acquisition Forecast (LRAF) – FY26

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Patuxent River is issuing a Long Range Acquisition Forecast (LRAF) for fiscal year 2026 to outline anticipated procurement needs across multiple defense programs. This forecast covers a broad spectrum of technical support services including systems engineering, software development, integration, test and evaluation, logistics, and mission systems support for air, ship, and shore platforms. The acquisition strategy primarily involves indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts under the SeaPort and SA IDIQ vehicles, with estimated total values ranging from $10 million to $1 billion across individual contracts. The forecast includes projected timelines for solicitation releases between FY26 Q3 and FY28 Q1, with awards expected to be made starting in FY27 Q1 and performance extending over five-year periods. The place of performance is primarily centered in St. James, Maryland, with additional sites including Patuxent River, Maryland, and Orange Park, Florida, and specific testing activities occurring at San Clemente Island, California. The procurement actions are designated as either Small Business Set Aside or unrestricted, with several contracts clearly identified as set aside for small businesses, triggering associated reporting obligations under FAR Part 19.5. Personnel supporting certain programs, particularly those related to PMA-209 and other classified systems, are required to hold Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information clearances, and some contracts call for embedded Lead Systems Integrator teams with specialized expertise in cybersecurity and mission systems. While the forecast references funding through various Treasury Account Symbols and Accounting Classification Reference Numbers, no explicit payment office, invoicing method, packaging, inspection, or delivery terms are outlined. No formal contract clauses, evaluation factors, or instructions for proposal submission are provided in this notice, which is strictly informational and not binding. The point of contact for inquiries is Alfred W Hensler, and updates to the forecast will be posted quarterly via the same notice on SAM.gov.