JFQR ACES Cutters (May 2022).pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

FAR 9.202(a) and DoD 4120.24M

Section A: Item Identification

1. Stock Number (NSN) (1): 1377-01-332-2379ES

(2): 1377-01-333-9143ES

2. Contractor Part Numbers (P/N): (1): C1-1.15

(2): C1-4.0

3. Noun: (1) ACES II Reefing Line Cutter

(2) ACES II Survival Kit Locking Cord Cutter

4. Application: F-15, F-16, F-22, B-2, B-1B, A-10, F-117, WB-57

Section B: Justification for Establishing a Qualification Requirement and Reason Why Qualification Requirement Must Be Demonstrated Prior to Any Contract Award.

1. Characteristics associated with the manufacture of the ACES II Reefing Line and Survival Kit Cord Cutters, if not correct, would result in product functional degradations. This item performs a critical function on the aircraft and special equipment is required for its manufacture and testing. Special care and attention is required but not limited to finish, processing, assembly, performance, and part interchangeability of this item.

2. The prospective bidder’s ability to interpret engineering drawings and specifications and the execution of the qualification requirements specified herein are necessary to verify the structural and functional integrity and/or form, fit, and function of the item being procured.

3. Failure to procure this item from a fully qualified source could result in failure of the part, degradation of aircraft mission capability, or loss of aircraft and crew.

4. Completion of the specified pre-contract award qualification requirements will ensure the government that the prospective bidder is technically capable of producing the item in compliance with the applicable technical specifications and associated drawings and within the schedule and economic constraints of our contracts. To protect the interests of the Air Force, only United States and Canada suppliers will be considered. There are sufficient technical and schedule risks, which can only be minimized by a completion of the requirements prior to contract award.

Section C: Qualification Requirements That Must be Satisfied to Become a Qualified Source and Qualification Waiver Requirements.

1. Prequalification Notice. The offeror shall notify AFLCMC/EBHJ CAD/PAD IPT or, if responding to a solicitation, the contracting officer in AFLCMC/EBHKB of intent to qualify as a source for this item.

2. Facilities. The offeror must certify to the design control activity (AFLCMC/EBHJ CAD/PAD IPT) that he has the required facilities and equipment to manufacture, inspect, test, and package the item. The offeror shall make his facilities, equipment, tooling, and personnel available for evaluation and inspection by the government.

3. Data Verification. A qualification test procedure per DI-NDTI-80604 and a qualification test report per DI-NDTI-80604 shall be provided through the AFLCMC/EBHKB contracting office to the AFLCMC/EBHJ CAD/PAD IPT. Qualification testing must be accomplished in accordance with Douglas Specifications A114307 latest revision.

4. Process Verification. The offeror shall identify sources for materials and standards for internally used processes. The offeror shall further define/provide written procedures for the utilization of any special test or inspection facilities and/or equipment. This documentation shall also include a diagnostic procedure showing the process the items being produced would undergo. The production process shall show how the offeror shall test, inspect, diagnose, produce and perform a final functional checkout. Development of special test procedures not available from the government is required. The offeror shall develop those procedures for review and approval by the design control activity. The contractor must be capable of locating alternative components to minimize any diminishing manufacturing sources (DMS) problems.

5. Test and Evaluation or Verification. The offeror shall submit to the design control activity an explanation of how they will certify that the test methods and production procedures meet the specifications for the item. The government retains the option to inspect the offeror’s production and testing facilities. To allow accomplishing this, the offeror’s facilities shall be made available to government inspection during the qualification effort upon ten days written notice of intent to inspect.

6. Qualification Article. Upon satisfactory compliance with the provisions of paragraphs 1 to 5 above, the offeror shall build and test the item Douglas Specifications A114307 to demonstrate production capability, form and function and also provide inert ACES II Reefing Line and Survival Kit Cord Cutters to demonstrate proper fit. This production and testing shall be done at the offeror’s expense.

Section C: Continued.

7. Sensitive Military Technology. Not applicable.

8. Testing and Production Evaluation. The offeror shall be required to submit a complete test report for the production capability demonstration verifying compliance with all performance, environmental, mechanical, and quality assurance requirements, including top level drawing and all related item and source control drawings. In addition the test report shall contain detailed documentation describing the testing procedures during production.

This data shall describe in detail the point(s) in the production process that testing occurred, and if failures were noted, the corrective action taken and the results of the retest. The government retains the option to inspect the production and testing process, including on-site witnessing of any or all production and testing activities. The offeror is responsible and liable for ensuring compliance with all applicable system and item requirements. The offeror will provide notification to the government of testing and evaluation 30 days in advance so that the government can witness, if needed, coordinate needed activities, support, etc.

9. Time Completion Estimate. It is the estimate of the design control activity that completion of this qualification effort should require 360 days. This is based on complexity and hazards associated with the item and other factors. This is not a deadline but a notification to a potential offeror of the time we believe will be required. Events that occur during the qualification process may cause this time requirement to increase or perhaps decrease, depending on individual circumstances.

10. Time Limitation. An offeror may not be denied the opportunity to submit and have considered, an offer for a contract if the offeror can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the contracting officer and cognizant engineering activity that the offeror (or its product) meets these standards for qualification or can meet them before the date specified for award of the contract. The award will not be delayed to provide the contractor with an opportunity to demonstrate its ability to meet the standard specified in this source qualification statement.

11. Evaluation of Proposals Not Previously Qualified. The offeror must be fully qualified in order to be eligible for a contract award. Therefore, the offeror must fulfill all of the requirements stated, in writing, in this Justification for Qualification Requirements before the date specified for award of the contract. The government reserves the right to award a contract at the time specified for award, to a qualified source even though other sources may not have finished qualifying.

Section C: Continued.

12. Waiver. Any offeror who has had previous experience in the production of the ACES II Reefing Line and Survival Kit Cord Cutters or other similar items may apply to the design control activity for a waiver of all or part of the above requirements. A waiver will be granted only if the design control activity can establish the qualification of the offeror from previous knowledge/interface or from written inputs from the offeror.

13. Approval. Once the qualification requirements are met, the offeror will be listed as an approved source for this item. Approval, however, does not guarantee subsequent contract award.

Approved Sources: Cage Code Vendor P/N

(1) Roberts Research Labs 60880 C1-1.15

(2) Roberts Research Labs 60880 C1-4.0

Section D: Signature.

Avery Johnson AFLCMC EBHJ Project Engineer

Kevin G Flinders, NH-04, DAF Chief, Systems Support Contracting Division AFLCMC/PKZ (Hill)