Award Watch: AFSOC OTA prototyping call, DISA Africa circuit reaward, and multiple DLA parts buys (Jan 27, 2026)

Executive takeaway

The standout in today’s set is an AFSOC Prototype Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) request seeking rapid development and integration of innovative capabilities—an attractive lane for non-traditional and rapid-prototyping teams because it is not subject to FAR/DFARS except as incorporated. In parallel, DISA is reawarding a dedicated 200 MB commercial telecom circuit with endpoints within Africa, but the public notice snippet provides no description, so attachments (if any) will drive bid/no-bid. The remaining items are classic DLA parts buys (fast turnaround, spec-driven) plus a VA “notice of intent” that states it will be sole sourced to Motorola Solutions (not a competitive opportunity as written).

What the buyer is trying to do

AFSOC Innovation, Logistical, and Material Support OTA (AFSOC-OTA-26-001)

Air Force Special Operations Command is seeking industry solutions for the rapid development and integration of innovative capabilities under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 4022 for a Prototype OTA. The notice explicitly encourages participation by non-traditional defense contractors, small businesses, and innovative commercial firms capable of rapidly prototyping and transitioning solutions. The Government reserves the right to award one or multiple OTAs, and notes that any follow-on production effort would be handled per 10 U.S.C. § 4022(f) if the prototype is successful and statutory conditions are met.

DISA telecom circuit reaward in Africa (HC102126QA038)

DISA/DITCO Europe is reawarding a “200 MB dedicated commercial telecommunication circuit with end points within Africa.” No description is available in the snippet, so the practical intent (locations, SLA, term, security constraints) must be confirmed in the notice record/attachments.

DLA parts solicitations (multiple)

DLA Aviation (Richmond) and DLA Land and Maritime (Columbus) are buying specific hardware/parts (fasteners and engine-related parts). These buys tend to be driven by exact item identification, approved sources, lead times, and compliance documentation.

VA Notice of Intent (36C24426Q0238)

The VA NCO 4 notice states an intent to award a sole source contract under FAR 6.302-1 for specific Motorola APX radios and related equipment. It is explicitly described as not a solicitation or request for offers.

What work is implied (bullets)

• AFSOC OTA: propose a prototype approach that supports rapid development and integration of innovative capabilities; plan for transition and potential follow-on production path consistent with 10 U.S.C. § 4022.
• AFSOC OTA: prepare an OTA-style response (not a FAR bid) aligned to whatever terms are incorporated in the solicitation.
• DISA circuit reaward: deliver a dedicated commercial telecom circuit (200 MB) with endpoints within Africa; validate connectivity, provisioning, operational support expectations, and any required service levels (verify in attachments/notice record).
• DLA hardware/parts: supply the specified items such as BOLT, SHEAR; INSERT, SCREW THREAD; PIN, QUICK RELEASE; RING SET, PISTON; and BLADE SET, TURBINE (exact spec/NSN/approved source requirements must be verified in the solicitation package).
• VA notice: monitor only—this notice indicates the requirement will be negotiated only with the named source.

Who should bid / who should pass (bullets)

• Bid: teams with rapid prototyping and integration capability looking for an OTA pathway (AFSOC-OTA-26-001), including non-traditional defense contractors and innovative commercial firms.
• Bid: telecom carriers/integrators with demonstrated ability to provide a dedicated commercial circuit with endpoints within Africa—after confirming the missing details in the notice record/attachments (HC102126QA038).
• Bid: manufacturers/distributors already equipped to meet DLA spec-driven part buys and delivery expectations for the listed DLA solicitations (SPE4A626U1311, SPE4A626U1334, SPE4A626U1351, SPE7L526T1916, SPE4A126T1292).
• Pass: firms without an OTA capture/process capability (AFSOC) or without the ability to rapidly stand up a compliant prototype effort.
• Pass: firms that cannot meet exact part identification/qualification expectations typical of DLA aviation/land items (verify requirements in the solicitation).
• Pass (as written): the VA “notice of intent” for Motorola Solutions police radios, because it states the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only that source and that it is not a solicitation.

Response package checklist (bullets; if unknown say “verify in attachments”)

• AFSOC-OTA-26-001: OTA response package requirements and any templates/instructions (verify in attachments).
• AFSOC-OTA-26-001: prototype technical approach for rapid development and integration (verify required format in attachments).
• AFSOC-OTA-26-001: transition/follow-on production considerations consistent with 10 U.S.C. § 4022(f) (verify what is requested in attachments).
• HC102126QA038 (DISA circuit): circuit description, endpoint locations, service levels, term, and compliance requirements (verify in attachments/notice record since the description snippet is not available).
• DLA solicitations: item/spec documentation, source/traceability requirements, delivery schedule, and any certifications (verify in attachments).
• All: confirm submission method and exact due time in the notice record/attachments.

Pricing & strategy notes (how to research pricing; do not invent pricing numbers)

AFSOC OTA: because this is an OTA (not FAR/DFARS except as incorporated), start by mapping what the solicitation actually asks for in terms of cost/price detail (verify in attachments). Build pricing around prototype scope, integration effort, and speed-to-deliver. If multiple awards are possible (the notice says they are), position your solution so it is easy to evaluate and incrementally fund or scale.

DISA circuit: without a public description snippet, pricing research should begin with confirming circuit endpoints within Africa, any required SLAs, provisioning timelines, and support model (verify in attachments). Your pricing strategy will hinge on network reach, last-mile feasibility, and service reliability commitments.

DLA parts: treat these as compliance-first bids. Price research should focus on your actual manufacturing/procurement cost, lead time impacts, and any required documentation or qualification costs (verify in the solicitation). Small-business set-aside indicators appear on some of these buys; ensure your eligibility aligns before investing heavily in pricing.

Subcontracting / teaming ideas (bullets)

• AFSOC OTA: pair a rapid-prototyping lead with a specialist integration partner to accelerate “development + integration” delivery (verify any teaming rules in attachments).
• AFSOC OTA: consider teaming with firms that can support transition planning if follow-on production becomes viable under 10 U.S.C. § 4022(f).
• DISA circuit: prime a provider with broad network capability and subcontract local last-mile connectivity/support where endpoints require it (verify geographic/endpoint details in attachments).
• DLA parts: align with qualified manufacturers (or authorized distributors) if the solicitation requires specific sources or traceability (verify in the solicitation package).

Risks & watch-outs (bullets)

• AFSOC OTA: OTAs can differ materially from FAR procurements; confirm exactly what terms are incorporated and what the Government expects in the response (verify in attachments).
• AFSOC OTA: the notice reserves the right to award one or multiple OTAs—plan for competitive downselect dynamics and tight evaluation cycles.
• DISA circuit: the listing has no description snippet; bid/no-bid depends on attachments for endpoints, service levels, and constraints.
• DLA parts: short response windows—several are due in early-to-mid February 2026. Confirm you can meet the submission deadline and spec compliance requirements.
• DLA parts: some are marked SBA set-aside; validate eligibility and any representation requirements (verify in the solicitation).
• VA notice of intent: explicitly sole source and “not a solicitation.” Treat as market intelligence unless the agency issues a competitive follow-on notice.

Related opportunities

• AFSOC Innovation, Logistical, and Material Support OTA (AFSOC-OTA-26-001)
• Reaward a 200 MB dedicated commercial telecommunication circuit with end points within Africa (HC102126QA038)
• 53--BOLT,SHEAR (SPE4A626U1311)
• 53--INS ERT,SCREW THREAD (SPE4A626U1334)
• 53--PIN,QUICK RELEASE (SPE4A626U1351)
• 28--RING SET,PISTON (SPE7L526T1916)
• 28--BLADE SET,TURBINE,A (SPE4A126T1292)
• Notice of Intent for Sole Source - Motorola Solutions Police Radios (36C24426Q0238)

How to act on this

1. Start with a fast triage: choose one of (AFSOC OTA), (DISA circuit), or (DLA parts) based on fit and deadline.
2. Open the BidPulsar notice page and pull attachments/instructions; where the listing is thin (DISA circuit, DLA parts), treat attachments as the source of truth.
3. Build a compliance matrix from the solicitation requirements (verify in attachments), then decide bid/no-bid within 24–48 hours for the early-February due dates.
4. For the AFSOC OTA, align your proposal to rapid prototyping and integration and confirm what the OTA response must include.
5. If you want a second set of eyes on your compliance plan and submission package, engage Federal Bid Partners LLC for capture support.