TMAS 3 Survival Guide: Maximize Your Win Strategy Now

The Air Force Materiel Command’s Test Center Technical and Management Advisory Services (TMAS 3) contract is the ultimate opportunity for small businesses with engineering and non-engineering capabilities to support the Air Force Test Center. This OASIS small business set-aside will have a one-year base period plus four one-year options. The draft is expected to be released in June 2025. Bidders should prepare for victory by becoming thoroughly acquainted with this solicitation. Information from the recent Industry Day is provided below.

TMAS 3 Solicitation Identification Information

Table 1: TMAS 3 Milestones 

Date	Description
June 2025	Draft Solicitation Release
October 2025	Final Solicitation Release
February 3, 2026	Proposals Due
June 2026	Proposal Evaluations Complete
June 28, 2026	Congressional Notification
July 1, 2026	Contract Award
July 2, 2026	Debriefings (if requested)
July 3, 2026	Transition Starts
October 1, 2026	Task Order Performance Starts

Table 2: TMS 3 NAICS Identification Information

NAICS	Description
541330 Exception 1	Military and Aerospace Equipment and Military Weapons
541715 Exception 1	Aircraft, Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts

TMAS 3 Scope and Place of Performance

TMAS 3 task orders include engineering and non-engineering assistance in support of armament and aerospace research, development, acquisition, test and evaluation, and related support activities for the enterprise. Air Force Test Center Services under this contract include:

• Management and professional services
• Research and development
• Analyses and evaluations
• Technical and non-technical services
• Program management
• AcquisitionInformation management
• Logistics
• Science and engineering
• Financial assistance
• Security management

The work will be performed at Edwards Air Force Base in California, Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, and Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) at Arnold Air Force Base in Tennessee.

The Key Differences Between TMAS 2 and TMAS 3

Table 3: Key Differences in Evaluation Criteria and Requirements

TMAS 2	TMAS 3
Five competitive awards	Four competitive awards
Cap on indirect rates	No cap on indirect rates
Joint Venture (JV) permitted	Joint Venture protégé is required to submit two work samples
Work Sample Work Sheet – only required to provide a POC	The Work Sample Work Sheet – required for all work samples submitted. Work samples must be signed by a government POC
Two-step process to determine technical and cost realism	This process has been deleted. The cost must be reasonable and balanced

Task Orders to Be Released Under TMAS 3

96^th Cyberspace Test Group:

• Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Cybersecurity

412^th Test Wing:

• 412^th Civil Engineering Group
• 412^th Electronic Warfare Group
• 412^th Test Engineering Group
• 412^th Test Management Group
• Air Force Test Center

Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC): 

• Arnold Engineering Development Complex
• 704^th Test Group
• 704^th Test Group Aerospace Survivability and Safety Office

96^th Test Wing:

• 40^th Flight Test Squadron
• 413^th Flight Test Squadron/Detachment 1
• 413^th Flight Test Squadron/Research & Development
• 417^th Flight Test Squadron
• 780^th Test Squadron
• 782^nd Test Squadron
• 896^th Test Support Squadron
• 96^th Civil Engineering Group
• 96^th Civil Engineering Squadron/Squadron Commander
• 96^th Operations Group/Detachment 2
• 96^th Operations Support Squadron/Operational Support Office
• 96^th Operational Support Squadron/Operational Support Package
• 96^th Range Support Squadron
• 96^th Range Control Squadron
• 96^th Test Systems Squadron
• 96^th Integrated Process Action Team
• Air Force Civil Engineer Center
• Operational Flight Program Combined Test Force
• SEEK EAGLE

Description of TMAS 3 Evaluation Criteria

Vendors will provide a self-scoring document on technical capability. The highest self-scored offer(s) will be evaluated. The Technical Capability Subfactors are:

• Functional (number of positions)

• Breadth of experience (of work samples)
• Quantity of security positions
• Quantity of position transitions
• Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPAR)
• Maximum of five work samples (three must be from prime, and one of the three can be from performing work as a subcontractor)
• If the offeror is a JV, the protégé must submit at least two work samples
• Provide government-representative rates for each labor category and skill level (Compensation of Professional Employees will be evaluated.)

Self-scoring evaluation criteria can be a powerful tool for enhancing the efficiency and transparency of the evaluation process. However, it requires well-defined criteria and a robust mechanism for verification to ensure that the process remains fair and accurate. When implemented effectively, it can lead to better-quality proposals and a more streamlined evaluation process.

Special Clauses

TMAS 3 includes several special Section H clauses addressing subcontracting limitations, conflict of interest, and other contractual obligations:

• Task order limitations on subcontracting
• Portable benefits program
• Delineated additional benefits
• AFTC Organizational Conflict of Interest
• Termination upon change in ownership
• Covered government support contractor
• Rights in special works
• Successor contractor
• Associated contractor agreements
• Base support
• Holiday observances/contract workweek
• Consent to subcontracting – OCI for subcontractors
• Options for increased quantity
• OCONUS Mission Essential Contractor Services salary allowances /differential danger pay
• OCONUS logistical support privileges
• Insurance clause implementation
• AFTC Organizational Conflict of Interest
  • Any business entity performing on TMAS 3 is prohibited from performing on the following contracts:
    • The Test Operations and Sustainment (TOS) contract awarded by AEDC (only for Contractors performing on the AEDC TMAS 3 task orderEglin Operations and Maintenance Services (EOMS – Range Services) Contract Awarded By AFTC

The special clauses outlined in TMAS 3 present a range of risks and benefits that are crucial for contractors to consider. Compliance with specific insurance requirements could increase operational costs if the coverage is extensive or costly. OCONUS mission-essential services can introduce logistical challenges, and differential pay requirements could increase labor costs.  Benefits include access to base and logistical support and protection of intellectual property that safeguards the contractor’s interests.  While some clauses may impose restrictions and additional costs, they also offer opportunities for operational efficiency and employee satisfaction.

Preparation Recommendations for Bidders:

Bidders should review their contracts to see which contracts will best support the work samples.

• Review and select contracts that align with TMAS 3’s scope for work samples.
• Aim to provide five work samples, ensuring they cover a broad range of positions and experiences.
• Verify the existence of a Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPAR) for each work sample.
• Verify the correct points of contact (POC) for each work sample.
• Conduct internal reviews to ensure compliance and avoid conflicts of interest.

Conclusion

TMAS 3 presents a strategic opportunity for small businesses to engage with the Air Force Test Center. The contract’s broad scope and competitive nature require thorough preparation and strategic work sample selections to maximize scoring potential. Bidders should focus on aligning their capabilities with the outlined requirements and ensure compliance with the special clauses to enhance their chances of success. Removing indirect rate caps and simplifying the evaluation process are notable changes that may influence bidding strategies.

If you need assistance managing, writing, editing, or reviewing, please do not hesitate to contact Lohfeld Consulting for support.

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By Dana Katalinas, Vice President, APMP Member, GPA Member

Lohfeld Consulting Group has proven results specializing in helping companies create winning captures and proposals. As the premier capture and proposal services consulting firm focused exclusively on government markets, we provide expert assistance to government contractors in Capture Planning and Strategy, Proposal Management and Writing, Capture and Proposal Process and Infrastructure, and Training. In the last 3 years, we’ve supported over 550 proposals winning more than $170B for our clients—including the Top 10 government contractors. Lohfeld Consulting Group is your “go-to” capture and proposal source! Start winning by contacting us at www.lohfeldconsulting.com and join us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube^(TM).