SAM #RFI-AFLCMC-KSWISS-2026

Air Force Market Research for KC-46 Software Integration and Sustainment

The U.S. Air Force is gathering industry input on software integration and sustainment for the KC-46A tanker. - Government buyer: United States Air Force (USAF), Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), KC-46 Program Office (AFLCMC/WLC). - Requested services: K-SWISS lead system-integration support, including coordination with multiple OEMs and suppliers; software integration, maintenance, patching, modernization, configuration and database management; release testing, certification, and deployment; and airworthiness and cybersecurity compliance. - Additional effort: Operations and sustainment of the KC-46 Systems Integration Lab (SIL), including aircraft-update modifications, software and firmware updates, patching, hardware preventive maintenance, and upkeep of lab network infrastructure. The Government seeks industry views on combining SIL support with K-SWISS or keeping the efforts separate. - Notable requirements: Support annual or multi-year software releases, software training transition, data rights, and development of organic sustainment capability. No specific OEMs, suppliers, part numbers, or quantities are identified. - Opportunity status: This is market research for acquisition planning, not a request for proposals or quotes. No contract period of performance is specified.

Description

The United States Air Force (USAF) KC-46 Program Office is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to identify sources capable of providing comprehensive software integration, sustainment, and support for the KC-46A Tanker program.

The Government is seeking a lead System Integrator to manage the entire KC-46 software enterprise. Key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Managing and integrating software modifications from multiple original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers. Providing total lifecycle software support, including maintenance, patching, and modernization. Overseeing system and software airworthiness and cybersecurity compliance. Coordinating test, certification, and deployment of software releases.

This RFI is issued for market research and planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP). The information gathered will be used to refine the Government's acquisition strategy.

Interested parties with experience in large-scale avionics software integration, sustainment, and program management are encouraged to review the full RFI document for detailed requirements and instructions for response.

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