# LARS Hardware Refresh Canonical: https://abierto.us/opportunities/fa850927rb005 - Solicitation number: FA8509-27-R-B005 - Notice type: Presolicitation - Status: Closed. Deadline was October 21, 2026 at 5:00 PM EDT - Department: Department of the Air Force - Agency: Department of the Air Force - Contracting office: FA8509 AFLCMC Wiuka (FA8509) - NAICS: 541330 Engineering Services - Product or service code: B541 Defense Studies - Who can bid, by location: Location not published. The notice publishes no state, city or site; its documents may. - First posted: October 6, 2026 - Last posted: October 6, 2026 - SAM.gov: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/dc7606cb189e4f6a8363743486760bca/view ## Description The Government has a requirement to obtain a hardware refresh of the Lightweight Airborne Recovery System (LARS), formally identified as Personnel Locator System (PLS) v12 AN/ARS-6, on the HC-130J due to the existing system being end of life from widespread component obsolescence. Any refreshed LARS are required to maintain all current system capabilities and project a minimum 10-year period of sustainability. Such capabilities include Terminal Area Communications (TAC), Terminal Area Guidance (TAG), and Combat Survivor Evader Locator/Next Generation Survival Radio (CSEL/NGSR) full compatibility. In addition, the LARS hardware refresh shall produce a Form, Fit, Function (FFF/F3) version of the current system. The USAF's MC-130J, the USAF's HH-60W, and the USN's MH-60S will benefit from a FFF hardware refresh of LARS as well. This effort will consist of the Non-recurring Engineering (NRE) required to produce a refreshed hardware configuration for LARS. This includes all necessary design reviews, developmental testing events, operational testing events, etc. It is also expected that up to five test articles will be required to fully prove out the refreshed LARS ability to fulfill the requirements described above. The effort associated with the retrofitting/fielding of the proved refreshed LARS will be a separate contract. The resultant contract is planned to have a period of performance of three (3) years, consisting of one (1) base and two (2) option periods. The Government intends to issue a Sole Source Solicitation to: Cubic Defense Application, Inc. 9233 Balboa AVE San Diego, CA 92123-1513 CAGE Code:87G32 Large Business The authority for this requirement is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. Electronic procedures will be used for this solicitation. Request a copy of the solicitation from the following website: www.sam.gov. Approximate issue date of the solicitation is October 21, 2026. Approximate response date for receipt of proposal is November 20, 2026. ## Open now in the same industry 95 open in NAICS 541330. - BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT: Operational Analysis, SSN/SSGN Survivability Program (S3P), and Hull, Mechanical and Electrical (HM&E) Materials, Design Concepts, and Technologies for Future Submarine Platforms (N0002424R2120), due October 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT. https://abierto.us/opportunities/n0002424r2120 - High Power Microwave Engineering Services (N0017826R3004), due November 1, 2026 at 9:00 AM EST. https://abierto.us/opportunities/n0017826r3004 - FDRMC ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES (N6817126RN005), due November 2, 2026 at 5:00 AM EST. https://abierto.us/opportunities/n6817126rn005 ## Publications - October 6, 2026: Presolicitation, due October 21, 2026 at 5:00 PM EDT. Notice dc7606cb189e4f6a8363743486760bca. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/dc7606cb189e4f6a8363743486760bca/view ## Points of contact - Carolyn Blann, carolyn.blann@us.af.mil - Rebecca Armstrong, rebecca.armstrong.6@us.af.mil --- Source: SAM.gov Contract Opportunities bulk extract. Confirm deadlines on SAM.gov before responding. Cite https://abierto.us/opportunities/fa850927rb005.