27-00016 DPW RFI.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- FD20602700016
About this file
This is a Request for Information (RFI) for the C-5 Dual Power Winch (DPW), a critical component used to load and unload equipment in the cargo area of C-5 Heavy Duty Cargo Aircraft. The government is conducting market research to identify potential sources with expertise in depot-level test and repair for the DPW, which has a National Stock Number of 1680-01-593-5680UC and Part Number 200413780-20. Currently, Thomas Instrument, Inc. is the sole known repair source, and the government does not own the technical repair data rights, making it uneconomical to reverse engineer or compete the repair.
The RFI includes a detailed Contractor Capability Survey with sections covering business information, general capabilities, repair capabilities, commerciality, and continuity of operations/cybersecurity. Potential respondents are asked to provide comprehensive information about their company, including past experience, repair processes, capacity, warranty procedures, and cybersecurity measures. Responses must be submitted via email to Jessica.Grinstead@us.af.mil, Phillip.Russell@us.af.mil, and Caiveon.Thomas@us.af.mil no later than close of business on Monday, 26 January 2026. Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate, with joint ventures and teaming arrangements specifically welcomed.
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REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
C-5 Dual Power Winch
The Government is conducting market research to identify potential sources that possess the repair data, expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet qualification requirements to purchase the C-5 Dual Power Winch (DPW), NSN: 1680-01-593-5680UC, P/N: 200413780-20.
The DPW is currently being repaired by Thomas Instrument, Inc. under contract FA8538-22-D- 0009. The Repair Method Code (RMC) /Repair Method Suffix Code (RMC/RMSC) for these items is R3/P which means the Government does not own the rights in technical repair data to compete the requirement as a full and open competition and thus must acquire a repair contract directly from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). This service has been performed multiple times by Thomas Instrument, which is the original manufacturer of the DPW. The technical data required to organically repair or compete the repair is not owned by the Government and is uneconomical to acquire the data by purchase or to reverse engineer the item.
No samples are available for potential suppliers to evaluate.
Contractor shall furnish all material, support equipment, tools, test equipment, and services. The contractor is responsible for providing, maintaining, and calibrating all support equipment required at their facility or a subcontractor’s facility. Contractor furnished material or parts used for replacement shall equal or exceed the quality of the original material or parts.
Thomas Instrument is the manufacturer of the DPW and the known sole source contractor for repair of this item. Contractors/Institutions responding to this market research are placed on notice that participation in this survey may not ensure participation in future solicitations or contract awards. The government will not reimburse participants for any expenses associated with their participation in this survey.
FAR 52.215-3, Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997) applies to this request for proposal:
(a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this request or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as provided in subsection 31.205-18 Bid and Proposal (B&P) Costs, of Federal Acquisition Regulation
(b) Although "proposal" and "offeror" are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal.
(c) This solicitation is issued for the purpose of informational planning and budgetary forecasting by the government.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. The document(s) below contains a description of the DPW repair requirements and a Contractor Capability Survey. The Survey allows Contractors to provide their company’s capability.
2. If, after reviewing these documents, you desire to participate in the market research, you should provide documentation that supports your company’s capability in meeting these requirements. Failure to provide documentation may result in the government being unable to adequately assess your capabilities. If you lack sufficient experience in a particular area, please provide details explaining how you would overcome the lack of experience/capabilities in order to perform that portion of the requirement (i.e., teaming, subcontracting, etc.)
a. Identify any areas of work that your organization believes should be broken out exclusively for Small Business.
3. Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this Market Research.
Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are encouraged.
4. Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to J. McKenzie Grinstead, Program Manager, via email at Jessica.Grinstead@us.af.mil
C-5 Dual Power Winch
PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION
The Government is conducting market research to identify potential sources that possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet qualification requirements to provide depot-level test and repair of the Dual Power Winch (DPW). The National Stock Numbers (NSN) and Part Numbers (PN) are as follows:
Item NSN PN Dual Power Winch 1680-01-593-5680UC 200413780-20
The DPW is used to load and unload equipment in and out of the cargo area of the C5 Heavy Duty Cargo Aircraft. Each C5 aircraft has two DPWs installed. Without this item, the C-5 cannot perform its intended heavy duty cargo mission. This weapon system is to be used exclusively for the C5. The DPW was designed and developed by Thomas Instruments for the C-5 Aircraft as part of a previous C-5 sustaining engineering project.
The DWP must meet form, fit, function, and interface requirements with P/N: 200413780-20, NSN: 1680-01-593-5680UC. However, the Government does not own the data or the rights to the data needed to compete the repair of this part. It has been determined to be uneconomical to reverse engineer the data, qualify a new source, or buy the data and/or data rights. Thomas Instruments is the only source of known repair for this system and has been since it was fielded.
CONTRACTOR CAPABILITY SURVEY
C5 Dual Power Winch
Part I. Business Information
Please provide the following business information for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners:
• Company/Institute Name:
• Address:
• Point of Contact:
• CAGE Code:
• Phone Number:
• E-mail Address:
• Web Page URL:
• Size of business pursuant to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code:
NAICS Code 811210
Based on the above NAICS Code, state whether your company is:
• Small Business (Yes / No)
• Woman Owned Small Business (Yes / No)
• Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes / No)
• 8(a) Certified (Yes / No)
• HUBZone Certified (Yes / No)
• Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes / No)
• Service Disabled Veteran Small Business (Yes / No)
• Central Contractor Registration (CCR). (Yes / No)
• A statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership).
Emails must be received no later than close of business Monday, 26 January 2026. Please email your response to:
Attn: Primary Contract: Jessica.Grinstead@us.af.mil Secondary Contact: Phillip Russell, phillip.russell@us.af.mil Caiveon Thomas, caiveon.thomas@us.af.mil
Questions relative to this market research should be addressed to J. McKenzie Grinstead Program Manager, via email at Jessica.Grinstead@us.af.mil
Part II. Capability Survey Questions
A. General Capability Questions:
mailto:Jessica.Grinstead@us.af.mil mailto:phillip.russell@us.af.mil mailto:caiveon.thomas@us.af.mil mailto:Jessica.Grinstead@us.af.mil
1. Describe briefly the capabilities of your facility and nature of the goods and/or services you provide. Include a description of your staff composition and management structure.
2. Describe your company's past experience on previous projects similar in complexity to this requirement. Include contract numbers, a brief description of the work performed, period of performance, and agency/organization supported.
3. Describe your company’s experience in repairing the C5 DPW
4. Describe your company's capabilities for generating, handling, processing and storing classified material and data.
5. What is your company’s current maximum capacity per month for this particular type of requirement? Provide information on any facility reserves you may possess to increase capacity in the event of an immediate need do to critical operational mission requirements.
B. Repair Questions:
1. Describe your capabilities and experience in repairing existing systems/equipment (hardware and software) to solve maintenance and support problems in the depot environment.
2. Describe your configuration management processes and how you identify and resolve parts obsolescence and diminishing manufacturing sources problems?
3. Discuss your process for addressing any fit, form, and or function issues that may arise out of this effort.
4. Describe your process for maintaining inventory records and reporting on hand/work-in-process balances and repair status to your customer.
5. How will your organization address the absence of drawings, specifications, technical data, test procedures, etc.
6. If the item cannot be repaired in total, state what your organization can repair.
C. Commerciality Questions:
1. Are there established catalog or market prices for our requirement?
2. If you offer this product and/or service to both U.S. Government and commercial sources, is the same workforce used for both the U.S. Government and general public?
3. Describe your standard warranty and return process for goods and services furnished to the government for items similar in nature to this requirement.
D. Continuity of Operations and Cybersecurity
1. Does your company have an active Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) or equivalent in the event of a natural disaster or other catastrophic event that causes facilities or operations to be disrupted?
2. What mitigation strategies are in place for your company to resume operations and to prevent further disruptions?
3. Is your company facing financial disruption, impending merger, acquisition and/or foreign investment?
4. If there is Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI) of your company, what percentage of the company is owned by the foreign entity(ies)? Which foreign country(ies)/entity(ies) owns part or all of your company?
5. Does your company have a policy/plan for preventing and mitigating risks associated with internal and external information systems security?
6. Has your company implemented cybersecurity requirements given in DFARS clause 252.204-7012, "Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting"?
| REQUEST FOR INFORMATION |
| PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION |
| CONTRACTOR CAPABILITY SURVEY |
| Part I. Business Information |
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .