Next Generation Operational Control System (NGOCS)

 FROM: AFLCMC/WISK

Special Warfare Contracting Office

1895 Fifth Street

Wright Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7200

SUBJECT: Request for Information (RFI) – Next Generation Operational Control System (NGOCS)

NOTICE

This Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS)/Request for Information (RFI) is issued for informational purposes and market research only; it does not constitute a solicitation. The Government will not reimburse any company or individual for any expenses associated with preparing/submitting information in response to this posting. The information provided may be used by the Government in developing its acquisition strategy, statement of work/statement of objectives, and/or performance specifications. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained within their response as instructed later in this posting.

 BACKGROUND AND SCOPE

The United States (US) Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance & Special Operations Forces (ISR & SOF) Directorate, Special Warfare (SW) Program Office (AFLCMC/WISN) is conducting market research to identify possible sources capable of providing the NGOCS.

CAPABILITY GAP

Operators currently lack a lightweight, ruggedized, modular body-worn power, data, and edge-compute architecture capable of providing distributed processing capacity beyond the End User Device (EUD) for concurrent high-demand tactical workloads. Fielded systems rely on aging architecture, proprietary cabling, and limited processing capabilities at the edge. Consequently, the EUD is forced to absorb the entirety of application processing, edge-server hosting, message routing, video data links, and peripheral management. During high-tempo combat operations, this overreliance creates latency, power depletion, and reliability bottlenecks that can jeopardize the mission.

 INSTRUCTION TO POTENTIAL RESPONDENTS

Interested parties who desire to participate in this SSS/RFI are encouraged to submit responses that demonstrate they presently have the technology and qualifications to provide the system described above. Responses shall also include the following information:

Respondent Data: Company/Institute Name Address

Point of Contact (to include phone number and email address) CAGE Code

Web Page URL

Pursuant to NAICS Code 541512, Computer Systems Design Services, state whether the company is:

Small Business                                                             (Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified

Women-Owned Small Business                               (Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified

Economically Disadvantaged Women-

Owned Small Business                                               (Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified

HUBZone Certified                                                     (Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified

Veteran Owned Small Business                                (Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned

Small Business                                                             (Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified

8(a) Certified                                                                (Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified

SBA Certification Date:                                             SBA Graduation Date:                                

State whether the company is domestically or foreign-owned (if foreign, indicate the country of ownership).

State whether the respondent is interested in being a prime or subcontractor for this requirement.

Rough cost estimate (i.e. rough order of magnitude (ROM)) based on an optimum or varied pricing quantities (this is for Government budget planning purposes and will not be considered a bid or binding in any manner).

If development and/or integration is required to meet the system requirements, the Government also needs an estimate of the development cost based on complexity (for planning purposes only) to include PHS&T, such as warranties, portable storage, special tooling required, and training.

Indicate whether the company is currently performing this type of work/whether the capability can be obtained under an existing Government contract. Provide the contract number(s) and Government points of contact accordingly.

Indicate whether the company currently provides this type of work as a commercial solution. In this instance, “commercial item” means an item that is of a type customarily used by the general public or non-Governmental entities for purposes other than Governmental purposes. Please indicate if this item has been sold, leased, or licensed to the general public; or has been offered for sale, lease, or license to the general public. Indicate whether all materials used are in compliance with the Buy American Act or Berry Amendment (10 U.S.C. 2533a), as applicable.

Describe any risks associated with the fulfillment of this projected requirement. This can include technical or schedule risks associated with development, key performance parameters, etc.

Please provide specific details and rationale as to how compliance with FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, and FAR 52.219-33, Non-Manufacturer Rule, would be achieved in the event the Government sets this requirement aside for small business. Include specific details regarding teaming arrangements, etc. If subcontracts are to be used, provide the anticipated percentage of effort to be subcontracted and whether small or large businesses, including foreign, will be used. If this effort is not set aside for small business, small business utilization will be considered. Large and small businesses should provide a reasonable expectation for small business utilization as a percent of total contract value as well as supporting rationale for the recommended percentage.

Please complete Attachment 1, Next Gen OCS Questionnaire, and Attachment 2, Next Gen OCS Requirements Compliance, and submit it with your package.

 RESPONSES, COMMUNICATIONS, AND ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS:

The Government may contact respondents to obtain additional information or clarification in order to fully understand a company's response. This may include discussions, site visits, demonstrations, etc. to further the Government's understanding of a proposed solution, as well as a company's understanding of the Government's requirements.

Responses shall not exceed 35 pages (including cover page). Include technical and descriptive text and photographs/illustrations to provide sufficient detail. The submitted documentation becomes the property of the United States Government and will not be returned.

Respondents shall clearly mark proprietary data with the appropriate markings. Any proprietary information received in response to this request will be properly protected from any unauthorized disclosure. Any material that is not marked will be considered publicly releasable.

Government-contracted contractor support personnel may handle proprietary data submitted in response to this RFI. These support personnel will have signed the same Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) as Government personnel.

Broad industry participation for this RFI is encouraged. U.S. and non-U.S. firms are permitted to respond.

Please note that prospective contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database to be awarded a DOD contract; the NAICS code for this requirement, if applicable to the company’s capabilities, should be included in the company’s NAICS code listing in SAM. To learn more about this SAM requirement and how to register, please visit the

SAM website at: https://www.sam.gov/portal/SAM

Responses are due electronically by 12:00PM Eastern time on 22 October 2026 via email to:

Capt Shaun Wheldon

AFLCMC/WISN

Contracting Officer

shaun.wheldon@us.af.mil

Mr. Matt Mangen

AFLCMC/WISN

Program Manager             

matthew.mangen.1@us.af.mil

Mr. Joe Durham

AFLCMC/WISN

Systems Engineer

joseph.durham.1.ctr@us.af.mil

This notice may be updated as additional information becomes available. Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by email to the Contracting Officer identified above, with the other individuals identified above copied as a courtesy.

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only to identify potential sources for the solution. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Government has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as creating such a commitment or as an authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought.

Attachments:

Attachment 1 – Next-Gen OCS Questionnaire

Attachment 2 – Next-Gen OCS Requirements Compliance