REAL/RUSB Systems

This federal Request for Quote (RFQ), solicitation number FA930226Q0078, is issued by the Department of the Air Force, Air Force Test Center (AFTC) at Edwards AFB, California. The acquisition is an unrestricted solicitation under NAICS code 336413 (Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing), with a size standard of 1,250 employees. The purpose of this firm-fixed-price solicitation is to procure five units of the REAL (Reusable Energy Absorbing Layer) and RUSB (Reusable Universal Skid Board) system. The procurement includes three line items: the core REAL/RUSB system configurations (consisting of base boards, top boards, and belts), five sets of handles to maneuver the skid boards, and shipping services. Deliveries are required within 90 calendar days from the date of award receipt. All items must be shipped FOB Destination to the 412th Operations Support Squadron (OSS) at Edwards AFB. The solicitation incorporates standard Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) commercial product clauses by reference and full text. Notably, it includes provisions for electronic invoicing through Wide Area WorkFlow (WAWF), Buy American Act compliance, and designated Air Force ombudsman resolution procedures. Quotes are due by 12:00 PM Local Time on July 16, 2026.

This document serves as a Sole Source Determination justifying a non-competitive contract award to QRDC, Inc. A Sources Sought Synopsis posted on SAM.gov from June 17 to June 24, 2026, received no industry responses. On June 29, 2026, QRDC, Inc. confirmed in writing that it is the sole manufacturer and provider of the required items and does not utilize any domestic or international third-party resellers. Consequently, the Contracting Activity determined that QRDC, Inc. is the only source capable of fulfilling the government's requirements. Contracting Officer Jamil Minosa approved this sole source determination on July 9, 2026, in accordance with applicable Department of the Air Force and federal acquisition regulations.

The Air Force Test Center (AFTC/PZZG) has issued a combined solicitation and notice of intent to award a sole-source, firm-fixed-price contract to Quality Research, Development & Consulting, Inc. (QRDC). The procurement is for five Reusable Energy Absorbing Layer (REAL) and Reusable Universal Skid Board (RUSB) systems, which include handling accessories and shipping to Edwards AFB, California. The proprietary REAL/RUSB system is designed for military airdrop operations and is the only system approved by the Air National Guard-Air Force Reserve Command Test Center. It replaces traditional single-use honeycomb energy dissipating pads and legacy plywood skid boards, resulting in reduced aircrew training costs and increased productivity. Market research, including a June 2026 Sources Sought Synopsis on SAM.gov, yielded no other capable sources. QRDC, Inc. confirmed it is the sole manufacturer and does not utilize authorized third-party resellers. Although this is a sole-source notice, the government will consider capability statements, proposals, or quotes from responsible sources submitted by the deadline of July 16, 2026, at 12:00 PM PDT to determine if a competitive procurement is warranted.

This document outlines the Statement of Requirements for procuring Reusable Energy Absorbing Layer (REAL) and Reusable Universal Skid Board (RUSB) systems. The procurement includes five units of the primary skid board assembly systems, which consist of specific configurations of REAL energy-absorbing layers, varying thicknesses of black and white RUSB boards, and securing belts. Additionally, the requirement specifies five sets of four-handle assemblies designed to facilitate the handling of the RUSB boards, along with associated shipping services for all items.