Nominal Awarded $53 Million IDIQ Contract for Air Force Test Center Data Modernization

The contract will enable the Air Force to leverage Nominal's platform for streamlined data management across test facilities.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:25am

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A highly detailed, glowing 3D illustration of a complex network of interconnected data servers, cables, and digital infrastructure in shades of neon blue, purple, and magenta, conceptually representing the scale and complexity of the Air Force's data modernization efforts.As the Air Force modernizes its data infrastructure to support critical hardware testing, a new $53 million contract will enable a unified, high-tech ecosystem to accelerate the delivery of new capabilities.Los Angeles Today

Nominal, a technology company founded in 2022, has been awarded a sole-source, multi-year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract by the Air Force Test Center (AFTC). The $53 million contract represents a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III transition, following Nominal's successful Phase II performance with the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School. The IDIQ contract provides a streamlined acquisition pathway for the entire Air Force and Department of Defense to utilize Nominal's platform for managing the massive volumes of data generated during complex hardware testing.

Why it matters

This contract marks a significant step in the Air Force's efforts to modernize its data infrastructure and enable more efficient and effective testing of critical systems. By transitioning from fragmented, legacy processes to a unified data ecosystem, the Air Force aims to accelerate the delivery of new capabilities to the warfighter.

The details

The AFTC IDIQ contract allows for multiple task orders and rapid cross-service transitions, providing the Air Force and DoD with a flexible and streamlined way to leverage Nominal's platform. Nominal's technology will enable test engineers to identify anomalies faster, reduce re-test rates, and ultimately accelerate the delivery of lethal capabilities to the warfighter. The contract builds on Nominal's previous success with the Air Force Test Pilot School, where the company demonstrated its ability to automate complex flight test data reviews.

  • Nominal's partnership with the AFTC began in 2023 with a Phase I STTR.
  • Nominal transitioned to a successful Phase II contract in April 2024.
  • The $53 million IDIQ contract was awarded in April 2026.

The players

Nominal

A technology company founded in 2022 that is built on the belief that learning from tests faster than the threat is how the United States builds lasting technological advantage.

Air Force Test Center (AFTC)

The organization leading the charge in data modernization for the Air Force with the 'Next-Gen Data Ecosystem' initiative, which aims to provide a standardized software layer to ensure data captured at various test facilities is interoperable and actionable.

Maj. Gen. Scott Cain

The Air Force Test Center commander, who is overseeing the data modernization efforts.

Cameron McCord

The CEO and co-founder of Nominal.

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What they’re saying

“This IDIQ marks a pivotal shift in how the Air Force manages the massive volumes of data generated during complex hardware testing. By moving from fragmented, legacy processes to a unified data ecosystem, we are enabling test engineers to identify anomalies faster, reduce re-test rates, and ultimately accelerate the delivery of lethal capabilities to the warfighter.”

— Cameron McCord, CEO and co-founder at Nominal

“The Air Force Test Center is leading the charge in data modernization with the 'Next-Gen Data Ecosystem.' This initiative serves as the connective tissue between our various test facilities, providing a standardized software layer to ensure that data captured at Arnold Engineering Development Complex wind tunnels, Eglin Air Force Base weapons ranges, and Edwards Air Force Base flight lines are interoperable and actionable.”

— Maj. Gen. Scott Cain, Air Force Test Center commander

What’s next

The IDIQ contract allows the Air Force and DoD to rapidly issue multiple task orders to leverage Nominal's platform across various test facilities and programs.

The takeaway

This contract represents a significant step forward in the Air Force's efforts to modernize its data infrastructure and enable more efficient and effective testing of critical systems. By transitioning to a unified data ecosystem, the Air Force aims to accelerate the delivery of new capabilities to the warfighter.