Set-Aside Pulse: AFSOC OTA prototyping (wide open) + quick-turn services and medical equipment buys

Executive takeaway

The headline opportunity is an Air Force Special Operations Command Prototype Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) for rapid development and integration of innovative capabilities under 10 U.S.C. § 4022. It’s explicitly positioned to welcome non-traditional defense contractors and innovative commercial firms, and it may result in single or multiple awards. On the more transactional side, there’s a NAVFAC custodial services requirement at U.S. Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan with an amendment that references Q&A and CMMC, plus a 100% small business set-aside RFQ for dispensing equipment from Indian Health Service. If you’re hunting quick pursuits, the custodial requirement’s response deadline is very close.

What the buyer is trying to do

AFSOC Innovation, Logistical, and Material Support OTA

AFSOC is seeking industry solutions for rapid development and integration of innovative capabilities via a Prototype OTA under 10 U.S.C. § 4022. The notice states the agreement is not subject to FAR/DFARS except as incorporated, and it notes the possibility of follow-on production in accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 4022(f) if the prototype is successful and statutory conditions are satisfied.

NAVFAC custodial services at NAF Atsugi, Japan

NAVFAC is seeking a contractor to deliver custodial services per a Performance Work Statement. The amendment mentions Q&A and CMMC, which signals that compliance expectations may materially affect eligibility and proposal content.

IHS dispensing equipment (100% small business set-aside RFQ)

Indian Health Service is running a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items (FAR Part 12 format) and requesting written quotes under an RFQ. This is explicitly a 100% small business set-aside.

What work is implied (bullets)

• AFSOC Prototype OTA: rapid prototyping efforts tied to development and integration of innovative capabilities; be prepared for single or multiple OTA awards and prototype-to-production transition planning consistent with 10 U.S.C. § 4022.
• NAVFAC custodial services: provide all management, supervision, quality control, labor, tools, equipment, material, supplies, incidental engineering, and transportation necessary to perform custodial services per the PWS.
• VA sources sought (medical device): provide automatic endoscopic leak testers and accessories (details are in attachments).
• IHS RFQ (dispensing equipment): supply dispensing equipment as commercial items via written quote submission.
• DLA Aviation aviation component: requirements contract acquisition of a specific non-commercial aircraft component identified by NSN and part number; the notice states the government does not own the technical data package and intends a sole-source approach, while still allowing capability submissions for consideration.

Who should bid / who should pass (bullets)

• Bid: non-traditional defense contractors, small businesses, and innovative commercial firms that can rapidly prototype and integrate solutions aligned to AFSOC’s Prototype OTA.
• Bid: firms with a ready-to-mobilize custodial services operation capable of meeting PWS outcomes at U.S. Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, including whatever CMMC implications are clarified in the amendment.
• Bid: small businesses able to quote commercial dispensing equipment under a FAR 12 combined synopsis/solicitation RFQ structure.
• Consider (sources sought): medical device suppliers/manufacturers for automated endoscope leak testers and accessories (validate requirements in the attached document).
• Pass or de-prioritize: teams that cannot support rapid prototype execution/iteration for an OTA environment, or cannot align to any incorporated terms that replace typical FAR/DFARS expectations.
• Pass or treat as uphill: firms pursuing the DLA aviation coupler requirement without a compelling capability statement given the stated sole-source intent and lack of government-owned technical data.

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

• AFSOC OTA: solution/prototype approach and plan for rapid development and integration (verify required format, page limits, and any required volumes in attachments).
• AFSOC OTA: evidence of ability to execute as a non-traditional/innovative commercial participant, as applicable (verify in attachments).
• AFSOC OTA: transition narrative for potential follow-on production consistent with 10 U.S.C. § 4022(f) (verify in attachments).
• NAVFAC custodial: staffing/management plan, QC approach, and confirmation you will provide labor/tools/equipment/materials/transportation per the PWS (verify in attachments).
• NAVFAC custodial: CMMC-related representations/approach as clarified in Amendment 0001 (verify in attachments).
• IHS dispensing equipment RFQ: written quote (the notice states only written quotes will be accepted) (verify any required line item structure in attachments).
• VA sources sought: capability response for automated endoscopic leak testers and accessories (verify required content in attachments).
• DLA aviation coupler: capability statement/proposal/quotation as applicable (the notice states responsible sources may submit) (verify submission requirements in attachments).

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

OTA (AFSOC): treat pricing as part of an execution story, not just a rate sheet. Because the solicitation states it is not subject to FAR/DFARS except as incorporated, confirm what cost/pricing structure and supporting detail are requested in the attachments, and align to rapid prototyping milestones and integration deliverables. For market grounding, review recent Prototype OTA awards and public announcements for similar capability areas (where available) and pressure-test your plan against realistic prototyping timelines and integration complexity.

Custodial services (NAVFAC): build your price around the full scope explicitly stated in the notice (management, supervision, QC, labor, tools, equipment, materials, supplies, incidental engineering, transportation). Validate whether the amendment introduces compliance requirements (including CMMC) that could add cost (e.g., documentation, processes, subcontractor controls). Use comparable facility custodial contracts as benchmarks, but ensure the Japan location and mobilization realities are reflected.

IHS dispensing equipment (RFQ): because this is a commercial-items FAR 12 RFQ with written quotes, focus on clear part identification, any required accessories, warranty/service assumptions (verify in attachments), and delivery terms. Use recent commercial sales history and any government purchase history for comparable dispensing equipment to anchor reasonableness.

Subcontracting / teaming ideas (bullets)

• AFSOC OTA: pair an innovative commercial prototyper with an integration-focused partner that can accelerate fielding and interface work (verify collaboration allowances and any constraints in attachments).
• NAVFAC custodial: team with a local/logistics-capable partner to support transportation and supply chains, while the prime retains QC and performance accountability per the PWS.
• IHS dispensing equipment: consider teaming with an authorized distributor/manufacturer partner if accessories are required and you don’t hold the full catalog (verify required accessories in attachments).

Risks & watch-outs (bullets)

• AFSOC OTA: OTAs can move quickly and differ from FAR-based procurements; confirm exactly what terms are incorporated and what deliverables constitute “successful completion” for any potential follow-on production pathway (verify in attachments).
• AFSOC OTA: the government may award single or multiple OTAs; plan your bid/no-bid around competitive differentiation and speed to prototype.
• NAVFAC custodial: very short turnaround window; amendment content (Q&A and CMMC) could change compliance expectations or proposal approach.
• DLA aviation coupler: stated sole-source intent and no government-owned technical data package significantly increases barriers; only pursue if you can credibly demonstrate capability despite those constraints.
• VA sources sought: this is not yet a solicitation; treat it as market research and focus on demonstrating capability alignment to the attached requirements.

Related opportunities

• AFSOC Innovation, Logistical, and Material Support OTA
• N40084 Custodial Services at NAF Atsugi, Japan
• Dispensing Equipment (IHS RFQ; 100% small business set-aside)
• Sources Sought Notice: Automated Endoscope Leak Tester
• NSN 1680-530-3831 (Aerial Nozzle Press/Coupler)

How to act on this

1. Open the opportunity record(s) and download/inspect all attachments, especially Amendment 0001 for the custodial requirement and any OTA submission instructions.
2. Decide bid/no-bid based on speed to respond, ability to meet stated outcomes (and any CMMC implications), and whether your solution fits a rapid prototype-and-integration pathway.
3. Draft a compliance matrix from the PWS/OTA instructions and map your staffing/partners to each requirement.
4. Submit the required written quote/proposal package by the stated deadline (or provide a capability response for sources sought).

If you want a second set of eyes on the attachments, a fast compliance matrix, or a capture plan tailored to an OTA vs. FAR-style bid, consider support from Federal Bid Partners LLC.