Opportunity

SAM #260325084143

Air Force Seeks Ground Power Unit for Aircraft Start-Up Operations

Buyer

Air Force Test Center

Posted

April 13, 2026

Respond By

April 20, 2026

Identifier

260325084143

NAICS

336413

The Air Force Test Center is seeking industry input for a Ground Power Unit (GPU) to support aircraft start-up operations at Edwards Air Force Base. - Government Buyer: - Department of Defense, Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, Air Force Test Center (FA9302 AFTC PZZ) - Located at Edwards Air Force Base, California - OEMs and Vendors: - No specific OEMs or vendors are mentioned in the notice - Products/Services Requested: - Aircraft Ground Power Unit (GPU) - Must provide continuous output of 600 Amps at 28VDC - Adjustable output voltage from 24 to 31.9 VDC - Input voltage: 3 x 400V and 3 x 460V - Frequency: 50/60 Hz - Rectification: 6 pulse - Line current: 29A - Power factor: 0.91 - Soft start feature - Engine start capability: 28V at 2000A - Ripple: less than 2% at full load - Voltage regulation: <0.5% - Voltage compensation: 3V at 600A - Weight options: fixed (120 kg) and mobile (240 kg) - Overall efficiency: 0.87 - Standby losses: 130W; No load losses: 330W - Operating temperature: -40°C to +56°C - Relative humidity: 10-100% non-condensing - Noise level: <65 dB(A) at 1m - Overload ratings: up to 2400A for 2 seconds - MTBF: 100,000 hours; Ventilation system minimum 25,000 hours; MTTR max 20 minutes - Communication: TCP/IP and USB - Must be mounted on a towable trailer that raises the power supply and cables 18 inches off the ground for safety - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Respondents must propose commercial solutions that meet all technical and operational specifications - Emphasis on safety (towable trailer, cable elevation), reliability (MTBF/MTTR), and environmental tolerance

Description

DESCIPTION: THIS NOTICE IS A REQUEDT FOR INFORMATION ONLY. The RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute as a Request for Quote (RFQ) or a promise to issue an RFQ in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contact for any supply or service whatsoever. Responses will be treated as information only and will not be evaluated as a proposal. Further, the Government is not at this time seeking quotes and will not accept unsolicited quotes. A return response from the government regarding RFI submissions is not guaranteed. The RFI respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation from future announcements or contracts. Respondents should indicate which portions of their response are propriety and should mark accordingly. NOTE: This RFI is not associated with any previous or ongoing RFQs or Fair Opportunity Proposal Requests issued by the DAF.

BACKGROUND: The 420th Instrumentation Group has a requirement for a Ground Power Unit (GPU) capable of supporting aircraft start-up operations.

GPU needs to have the capability of producing  at least these specifications:

-600 Amps at 28VDC -adjustable output voltage of 24 - 31.9 VDC 

Input • Voltage range: 3 x 400 V -10/+15% 3 x 460 V -10/+20% • Frequency: 50/60 Hz 5% • Rectification: 6 pulse • Line current: 29 A • Power factor: 0.91 • Inrush current: None, soft start Output • Current: 600 A continuously (can be limited to 400 A upon request) • Engine Start Capability: 28 V @ 2000A • Voltage: 28 VDC (or as adjusted - "24 - 31.9VDC" • Ripple: less than 2% at full load • Voltage regulation: <0.5% from no load to full load • Voltage compensation: 3 V @ 600 A Manual or voltage feed-back via interlock Weight • Fixed unit approx. 120 kg (264 lbs.) • Mobile unit approx. 240 kg (582 lbs.) Efficiency • Overall efficiency: 0.87 • Stand by losses: 130W • No load losses: 330W Environmental • Operating temperature: -40°C to +56°C (-40°F to +135°F) • Relative humidity 10-100% non condensing • Noise level <65 dB(A)@1m Overload ratings 600 A 400 A • 1200 A 800 A for 30 seconds • 1800 A 1200 A for 10 seconds • 2100 A 1400 A for 5 seconds • 2400 A 1600 A for 2 seconds Miscellaneous • MTBF (proven): 100,000 hours • Ventilation system: min. 25,000 hours • MTTR: max. 20 minutes • Communication: TCP/IP, USB

-mounted on a towable trailer that will raise the power supply and cables 18 off the ground for safety reasons. 

All responses should include your commercial solution and be directed to the point of contact Jaymi Taplin, jaymi.taplin@us.af.mil, and Christina Day, christina.day.6@us.af.mil via email. 

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