This Sources Sought opportunity from Department Of Defense was posted on July 23, 2026. The submission period has ended. Browse the details below for market research, or find similar active opportunities.
Recovery Assist, Secure and Traverse (RAST) system IDIQ
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
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AI Contract Overview
The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst is seeking information on manufacturing capabilities for the Recovery Assist, Secure and Traverse (RAST) system, a critical piece of equipment used on Air Capable Ships, including DDG-51 Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, to safely recover, secure, move, and launch SH-60B and MH-60R helicopters under extreme maritime conditions. The RAST system must function reliably in all environmental conditions, supporting aircraft operations up to sea state 5 and stowage up to sea state 8, with capabilities to guide aircraft to the deck, maintain control during transit between the flight deck and hangar, and release the aircraft upon command. Responses must detail vendor expertise in technology suitable for RAST subsystems, including system functionality, technical maturity, production capability, and real-world applications, along with clear identification of challenges and limitations related to size, weight, and operational readiness. Vendors are requested to submit written responses by July 29, 2026, no longer than twenty single-spaced pages in 12-point Times New Roman font with one-inch margins, referencing RFI number N68335-26-RFI-0524 and addressed to Joshua Swindell. Submissions must include company descriptions, technical point of contact, evidence of subject matter expertise, and rationale for how their technology meets system requirements, while acknowledging any constraints. This request is purely for market research and planning; no contract will be awarded based on the responses, nor will vendors be compensated for providing information. The Navy will not disclose proprietary details or use submissions to compare competitors’ approaches. Participation is voluntary, and failure to respond will not affect future eligibility for solicitations, which will be posted on SAM.gov if and when issued.
General Info
Agency
NAICS
Place of Performance
NJ, USASet-Aside
Documents
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Timeline
Submission Closed
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION:
The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst is surveying the marketplace for all interested parties. This is a request for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP). NAWCAD Lakehurst is requesting information pertaining to manufacturing sources for the RAST system. RAST is a system used on Air Capable Ships (ACS) to help guide a SH-60B or MH-60R helicopter to the deck, secure the aircraft, and traverse the aircraft to/from the hangar. The RAST system is used on board DDG-51 FLT III Arleigh Burke class destroyers.
The following requirements are provided to assist in the preparation of responses to this RFI:
Mission Environment: The RAST system is operational under all environmental conditions necessary to support SH-60B/MH-60R mission requirements that include associated ship motions up to and including sea state 5 while the aircraft is in operation and up to and including sea state 8 while the aircraft is stowed.
Recover:
The system will provide for the safe landing of the aircraft on the flight decks of ACS platforms. The system may/may not provide in flight recovery assistance to the pilot. The system will provide the status of the recovery system to the Landing Safety Officer (LSO) while in the recovery mode. The system will allow the pilot or LSO to abort the landing prior to the aircraft being secured to the deck.
Secure:
While on the flight deck and in the hangar, the system will maintain control of the aircraft at all times to avoid damage.
Traverse and Position:
The system will orient and position the aircraft following a recovery to traverse it from the landing area. Prior to launching the aircraft, the system will traverse it to the flight deck position for launch.
Launch:
The system will maintain the security of the aircraft until the LSO gives the command for launch. Once the launch command is received, the system will automatically release the aircraft from a secured position.
INFORMATION REQUESTED:
Interested vendors are requested to provide the following:
1. Company description
2. Clear identification of a technology suitable for one or both subsystems
3. Definition and functionality
4. Evidence of company technological and production subject matter expertise
5. Company technical point of contact (POC) relevant to technology (ies)
6. Technology industry applications
7. Technology consumer applications
8. Technology/concept rationale as related to system requirements
9. Technology/concept challenges as related to system requirements
10. Technology/concept limitations (size, weight, maturity, etc.)
11. Any additional information that will assist in understanding responses to this RFI
CONCLUSION
In response to this RFI, all interested parties must submit written responses, preferably via electronic mail. The Navy does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this request or otherwise pay for the information solicited. While the Navy intends to use this information for future acquisition planning purposes, it will not release any information about your approach that might in any way compromise your competitive posture. The Navy will not use any information provided to level your company’s approach relative to another competitor. Responses to this RFI will not be returned. Respondents will not be notified of the result of the RFI review.
Submit your response in a Microsoft® Word or compatible format document in no more than twenty single-sided, single-spaced pages, 12-point, Times New Roman font, using a minimum of one-inch margins. Responses should cite RFI number N68335-26-RFI-0524 and be addressed to the attention of Mr. Joshua Swindell.
Failure to respond to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future associated RFP/RFQ that may be issued. Information provided in no way binds the Navy to solicit or award a contract. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the System for Award Management (Contract Opportunities) website: www.sam.gov. It is the potential vendor's responsibility to monitor this site for the release.
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