Aerospace Systems Technical Research & Operations Support Services II (ASTROS II)

Project ID: FA930027R6000-RFI02 FederalOpportunitiesSources Sought

Overview

Agency	Air Force Test Center
Deadline	06/25/26
Posted	06/16/26
Estimated Value	$150,000,000 - $450,000,000 (AI estimate)
Set Aside	None
NAICS	541330 - Engineering Services
PSC	AC35 - National Defense R&D Services; Defense-Related Activities; R&D Facilities & Maj Equip
Location	Edwards AFB, CA 93524 United States

Description

Primary Latest Change

RELATED NOTICE

This RFI #2 is a continuation of market research initiated under RFI #1 (Notice ID: [FA930027R6000]), which is currently closed/inactive. For the purposes of this Request for Information (RFI), this requirement is temporarily designated as 'ASTROS II.' The Government advises interested parties to track this requirement via the SAM.gov Notice ID, as the official program name is subject to change prior to the issuance of a formal solicitation. AFRL Det 7/SST is conducting market research to provide follow-on capability to evaluate, engineer, reconfigure, modify experimental research test equipment, stands [(Property, Plant, & Equipment) PP&E] and systems, perform research and development test operations and test operation support, maintain special test equipment and support infrastructure as required. The tasks associated with this requirement, also captured in paragraph 4 of the attached Draft PWS, demand specialized knowledge of all aspects of rocket propulsion testing. The scale of testing ranges from small bench-scale liquid engine components and tactical motors to launch booster-class engines and strategic rocket motors. Practical knowledge regarding all intermediate devices including combined cycle designs, spacecraft propulsion, and space and missile propulsion system component testing will also be required. These tasks require a holistic working knowledge of the systems to ensure successful design, integration, test and data collection of integrated advanced propulsion systems and their associated equipment (PP&E) to include, but not limited to steam and mechanical-driven altitude test systems, thrust measurement systems, instrumentation and control systems, equipment deluge and fire retardation systems, special test equipment, additional support infrastructure. Incidental alterations to Real Property (e.g., utility tie-ins, pad penetrations, structural mounting) are authorized only when inextricably linked to, and necessary for, the primary engineering modification of the PP&E test stands. All such ancillary Real Property alterations must be approved by the Contracting Officer and EAFB Civil Engineering. The contractor shall engineer, integrate, modify, activate, operate, and deactivate fuel and oxidizer propellant systems for toxic, storable, hypergolic, cryogenic, high pressure, explosives, and hydrocarbon propellant system assets. In addition, the contractor shall handle, transport and store these propellants and explosives.

Summary (Newest Update)

Background The Aerospace Systems Technical Research & Operations Support Services II (ASTROS II) contract is being issued by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL Det 7/SST) at Edwards AFB, CA, under the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC). The mission of this contract is to provide follow-on capabilities for evaluating, engineering, reconfiguring, and modifying experimental research test equipment and systems. This requirement aims to support advanced propulsion technologies and ensure successful design, integration, testing, and data collection of integrated advanced propulsion systems. Work Details The contractor will be responsible for a range of tasks including: - Evaluating and modifying experimental research test equipment; - Performing research and development test operations; - Maintaining special test equipment; - Supporting infrastructure; - Operating and deactivating fuel and oxidizer propellant systems for various types of propellants including toxic, storable, hypergolic, cryogenic, high pressure, explosives, and hydrocarbon. The contractor must possess specialized knowledge in rocket propulsion testing across various scales from small components to large strategic rocket motors. Additionally, the contractor will handle alterations to Real Property only when necessary for primary engineering modifications of test stands. Period of Performance The geographic location(s) the contract will be performed (if provided). Place of Performance Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), California. Bidder Requirements Bidders must demonstrate capabilities in engineering services related to aerospace test equipment modification and integration. They should provide evidence of experience managing projects involving hazardous materials and compliance with environmental safety regulations. Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail) This opportunity appears to have a confirmed incumbent based on the prior contract FA930016C0001, awarded to ASRC Federal System Solutions for $279,809,692 (06/30/16–08/31/27). The earlier ASTROS effort provided technical research and operational support for aerospace systems, including facility systems support, engineering and field support, and facility maintenance, with tasking that included work on multiple releases and environmental oven cleanup/disposal. The current ASTROS II description similarly emphasizes follow-on technical research and R&D test operations support for rocket propulsion test equipment and associated infrastructure, including hazardous propellant handling and related facility/test-stand operations that look like a continuation of the same operational support mission.

Contacts

Contact name	Mathew Pierson
Contact email	mathew.pierson@us.af.mil
Contact phone	None
Secondary contact name	Lauren Petrey
Secondary contact email	lauren.petrey@us.af.mil
Secondary contact phone	None