Sources Sought Notice FSAR.docx

TITLE: NAVAIR Fuel Systems & Aerial Refueling Lab Winch and Test Track

1.0 INTRODUCTION

a. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, MD is seeking information for potential sources regarding industry capability to produce a winch and test track system that complies with all specified requirements for use at the NAWCAD Fuel Systems and Aerial Refueling Lab.

b. This Market Research tool is being used to identify potential technologies and eligible firms, of all sizes, prior to determining the method of acquisition and issuance of a solicitation. The results of the Sources Sought will be utilized to determine if any Small Business Set-Aside opportunities exist.

c. The following documents are attached to this Sources Sought Notice:

1. ARS Lab Winch and Track Performance Work Statement

d. The following dates are anticipated time frames associated with this requirement:

1. Estimated RFP Release: 1 September 2025

2. Estimated Award Date: 1 November 2025

3. Delivery Date: 15 September 2026

e. Primary Work Location: Primary Work Location is detailed in Attachment 1, ARS Lab Winch and Track Performance Work Statement paragraph 3.1.1.

2.0 DISCLAIMER

THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY.

3.0 PROGRAM BACKGROUND

The US Navy uses the aerial refueling store (ARS) to conduct air to air refueling operations for carrier-based tanking operations. The ARS consists of a fuel tank with a hose reel system that will extend in flight and allow a receiver aircraft to “engage” the refueling assembly on the end of the hose, creating a flow path for fuel to transfer from the tanker to the receiver. The Fuel Systems and Aerial Refueling (FSAR) Lab has the unique capability to operate and test the ARS on the ground to assess new capability improvements. The FSAR lab ARS test facility uses a hydraulic winch and track system to interface with the ARS hose assembly, and apply tension loads to the hose reel to allow hose extensions and retractions. The ARS hose reel system is designed to be dynamic, automatically reeling in the hose when tension load decreases and extending when tension load increases. The system procured under this effort must be capable of accurately targeting and maintaining specific tension inputs while matching the movement of the ARS hose reel.

4.0 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND REQUIRED CAPABILITIES

The US Navy requires a new winch and test track system for use at the Fuel Systems & Aerial Refueling (FSAR) test laboratory located at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. The system will be designed to be used specifically for operating and testing aerial refueling hose reel systems. The FSAR lab is an outdoor test environment, so the test system must be capable of withstanding environmental conditions. Additionally, the test system must fit within the required size footprint for the FSAR lab and be compatible with available lab power. The intent of this Sources Sought is to assess what current systems or technologies are available or could be developed to meet the requirements for this procurement.

A list of detailed requirements can be found in Attachment 1, ARS Lab Winch and Track Performance Work Statement. Below is an overview of requirements for this winch and track test system:

1. Test Winch. The test winch cable will interface directly with the hose on the store hose reel system. The winch shall be capable of supporting all ARS operating loads with a 1.5 safety factor applied. The winch shall also be capable of dispensing or retracting cable at the maximum ARS hose reel speeds to allow for the full range of operation of the ARS. The system should have the capability to target specific tension load inputs and maintain that load while under motion. The control interface should be compatible with available lab power and communication protocols, and sized such that it falls within installation constraints. The system must have the capability to monitor and record tension load on the winch, as well as additional health monitoring metrics of the system such as hydraulic pressure and temperature.

2. Test Track System. The test track system will consist of two parts, a track/trolley and a test stand to mount a refueling store. The track/trolley section shall be capable of supporting the weight of the winch cable, store hose, and refueling assembly and must facilitate smooth movement of the hose and refueling assembly. The track should be designed such that the winch cable and refueling store hose, along with the interface, shall be in-line. The stand for the refueling store must accommodate provisions for mounting a BRU-32 bomb rack as the mounting interface for the refueling store. The stand must be designed such that all panels and doors on the refueling store, along with the hose reel section, are fully accessible.

3. Option – Fluid Transport System. It is highly desired that this winch and test track system will include the capability to facilitate fluid flow from the refueling store during dynamic hose operations. The goal is to enable fuel recirculation from the end of the refueling hose back into the refueling store to allow for continuous flow. The fluid transport system must not impede hose reel operations. In addition, it is desired to have the means to direct flow into a collection tank. A means must also be provided to pump fuel out of the collection tank and back into the refueling store.

4. Parts and maintenance. All components shall be COTS components to allow for easy replacement of parts. All relevant artifacts relevant for sustainment of the system, which include but may not limited to maintenance manuals, operator’s manuals and parts lists will be delivered to the Navy.

5.0 ELIGIBILITY

a. The applicable NAICS code for this requirement is 333923, Overhead Traveling Crane, Hoist, and Monorail System Manufacturing, with a Small Business Size Standard of 1,250 employees.

b. The Product Service Code is 3950, winches, hoists, cranes, and derricks.

c. Businesses of all sizes are encouraged to respond; however, each respondent must clearly identify their business size in their capabilities statement. Note: FAR 52.219-14 Limitation on Subcontracting requires a small business prime on a Set-Aside to perform at least 50% of the cost of contract performance. Small business primes may now count “first tier subcontracted” work performed by similarly situated entities as if it were performed by the prime itself. Please read the full text of the clause deviation (52.219-14 Class Deviation 2020-O0008 dated 04/03/20 at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far).

To assist in our market research and determination of any applicable small business set-aside for this effort, if you are a small business interested in priming this effort and plan to utilize “similarly situated entities” to meet the Limitations on Subcontracting, please identify the name & CAGE Code of the specific firm(s) you intend to partner/subcontract with to meet the requirements as well as their SB size status under the NAICS that you as the prime would assign for their workshare. Information regarding any planned similarly situated entity should be included in answering any questions outlined in the Sources Sought Notice (SSN) in order to assist the Government’s capability determination.

6.0 SUBMISSION DETAILS

a. Interested parties shall submit a document outlining their capabilities in meeting the special requirements and required capabilities as outlined in paragraph 4.0 of this Sources Sought Notice, taking into consideration the information also provided in Attachment 1, ARS Lab Winch and Track Performance Work Statement.

b. Interested parties shall adhere to the following instructions for the submittal of their capabilities statements.

1. Page Limit and Format: Ten (10) 8.5 X 11-inch pages in Times New Roman font of not less than 10 point.

2. Document Type: Microsoft Word, Adobe PDF, etc.

3. Delivery: Electronic-mail (Email) Submission to the Contract Specialist, Lyle Kralle, at Lyle.a.kralle.civ@us.navy.mil

4. Response date: Responses are due by 2:00PM EST or EDT on 13 May 2025.

5. No classified information shall be submitted in response to this Sources Sought.

6. No phone calls will be accepted.

7. All questions must be submitted via email to the Contract Specialist, Lyle Kralle, at Lyle.a.kralle.civ@us.navy.mil.

8. All responses shall include Sources Sought Notice name/number, Company Name, Company Address, Company Business Size, and Points of Contact (POC), including names, phone numbers, and email addresses.

9. All data received in response to this Sources Sought that is marked or designated as corporate or proprietary will be fully protected from any release outside the Government.

10. Any information or materials provided in response to this Sources Sought Notice will not be returned. The Government is not committed nor obligated to pay for the information provided, and no basis for claims against the Government shall arise as a result of a response to this Sources Sought Notice.