UDLM Sources Sought 26 March 2026.pdf

KC-135R/T Depot Maintenance Support

Request for Information

THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. REQUESTS FOR A SOLICITATION

WILL NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE. This Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS) is in support of Market Research being conducted by the United States Air Force (USAF) to identify potential sources to perform KC-135R/T Depot Level Maintenance, Unscheduled Depot Level Maintenance, Modifications and Organizational Level/Intermediate Level Maintenance to supplement Organic Depot activities. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) or solicitation.

This request for information is being conducted to identify industry information from potential sources that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements for KC-135R/T. Contractors 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.

Any resultant contract would be considered a service contract where the Service Contract Labor Standard applies and would require the DFARs 252.223-7999.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. The document below contains a description of the US Government KC-135R/T aircraft maintenance services requirements followed by requests for information related to the requirements.

1. If, after reviewing this document, you desire to participate in the market research, you should provide documentation that supports your company’s answers to the requests for information.

1. Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this Market Research. Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are not being solicited at this time.

1. Questions related to this market research should be addressed to requiring activity (see POCs below). The Government requests all responses to this RFI be provided by close of business 24 April 2026.

PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION

The purpose of this announcement is for Market Research in accordance with (IAW) Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10 and is issued IAW Federal Acquisition

Regulation (FAR) subpart 15.201(e). This is not a solicitation for proposals; no contract shall be awarded from this announcement. No reimbursement shall be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this announcement or for any follow-up requests. Nothing shall be construed herein or through this market research process to commit or obligate the Government to further action as a result of this research.

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Legacy Tanker Division, Tinker AFB OK, is seeking to specifically identify businesses under NAICS code 488190 and other firms that may be capable of providing all or portions of Depot Level Maintenance support services for the US Air Force (USAF), KC-135R/T aircraft. The Government is seeking industry feedback on areas identified below to support development of the requirement and overall strategy for this potential contract.

Program Description: The Legacy Tanker Division is seeking sources capable of performing Unplanned Depot Level Maintenance on KC-135R/T aircraft to include extensive fuel system repair, major and minor structure repair on wing and fuselage structures, Modifications and Organizational Level/Intermediate Level Maintenance to supplement Organic Depot activities. Source must have available facilities possesses, trained personnel, and the support equipment to support all heavy activities for repair. These tasks include but are not limited to field team repairs, and field assistance.

Projected fleet size: KC-135 is anticipating between 375-350 aircraft.

Estimated annual UDLM requirements: ~ 12

Estimated annual CFT’s requirements: ~ 15

Estimated annual Modification requirements: ~ 30

KC-135R/T support may consist of the following services:

• Depot Level Maintenance (scheduled and unscheduled) o Aircraft scheduled inspections o Drop-in maintenance/repair o Engine/Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) repair o Intermediate and Organizational level repairs o Organizational/Intermediate and Depot level Modification installs

• Worldwide Contract Field Team (CFT)/Aircraft on Ground (AOG) support

• Deployment support: launch/recovery and field level maintenance

Additional Program Information:

NOTE: The Contractor will not have supply or parts repair responsibility for the aircraft system.

Contractors must establish working Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) relationships in order to access necessary fleet support data. These relationships include establishing agreements allowing the Contractor to obtain approved data and technical support necessary to maintain the fleet airframe, engines, accessories and.

Contractor Capability Survey

Part I. Business Information

1. Please provide the following business information for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners:

1. Company Name:

2. Address:

3. Point of Contact:

4. CAGE Code:

5. Telephone Number:

6. Email Address:

7. Web Page URL:

8. Size of business pursuant to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: 488190

9. 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)

1. Is your company domestically or foreign owned? If foreign owned, please indicate the country of ownership.

2. Request email response to this market research survey be sent to the following individuals no later than close of business 24 April 2026:

PART II. Capability Survey Questions

General:

1. Security. Obtaining and maintaining personnel clearances in accordance with DODI

5220.22 and 5220.22-M; developing/maintain Operations Security (OPSEC) program plans.

2. Obtaining and maintaining Data License agreements with the OEM.

3. Classified Information & Equipment. Obtaining a COMSEC account to store/handle Controlled Cryptographic Items (CCI).

4. Program Management. Hiring/managing personnel capable of worldwide logistics, i.e. obtaining documentation necessary to travel as well as other requirements prescribed by the Department of State and DoD regulations.

Field Level Maintenance: This potential contract will require the contractor to provide field level maintenance at CONUS and OCONUS operating sites. Identify and describe your company’s specific experience regarding the following:

1. Performing field level maintenance on KC-135R/T aircraft or similar airframes.

2. Providing aircraft maintenance services at overseas locations.

3. Items unique to providing aircraft maintenance and supply services at an overseas location:

4. Obtaining passports and visas

5. Technical Expert Support Agreements (TESA)

6. Working under a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA)

7. Expediting parts through the customs and clearance processes in foreign countries

8. Handling export-controlled items; specifically Packaging, Handling, Storage & Transportation (PHS&T) issues

Depot Level Maintenance: This potential contract will require the contractor to provide scheduled and unscheduled depot level maintenance services such as aircraft inspections, engine/APU/landing gear maintenance and repair, drop-in maintenance, and worldwide CFT support. In addition, the KC-135R/T fleet potentially could project scheduled and Unscheduled inductions in addition to Modification installs and CFT’s inducted simultaneously.

1. Identify and describe your company’s capabilities and experience in providing depot-level maintenance for KC-135R/T or similar aircraft:

2. Engines: describe your company’s specific experience

3. APUs: describe your company’s specific experience

4. Landing Gear Overhaul & Repair: describe your company’s specific experience

5. Aircraft inspections: describe your company’s specific experience

6. Capability to perform fuel system trouble shooting and repair

7. Ability to perform electrical and avionics troubleshooting and repair

8. Perform major and minor structural and sheet metal repair to wings and fuselage

9. Drop-in/unscheduled maintenance: describe your company’s specific experience

10. Depot Capacity – Identify and describe your company’s capabilities and experience in maintenance manpower and hanger capacity to accomplish 10+ depots per year with the possibility of having up to 5 aircraft inducted simultaneously. Describe your approach to meeting this depot capacity requirement.

11. Service Bulletins (SB)/Aircraft Service Changes (ASC)/Airworthiness Directives (AD): Identify and describe your company’s capabilities and experience performing SBs, ASCs, and/or ADs specific to Gulfstream aircraft. Does your company have any limitations in performing SB/ASCs or FAA ADs?

Contract Field Team (CFT): This potential contract will require the CLS contractor to respond to AOG situations within a very short response time. Identify and describe specific capabilities/experience regarding providing CONUS/OCONUS CFT support to include short-notice global efforts.

1. Describe your company’s specific experience

Modifications: This potential contract may require the CLS contractor to accomplish aircraft modifications for mission specific requirements. Identify and describe specific experience performing aircraft modification on KC-135R/T aircraft as well as other, similar platforms.

Industry Specific Questions:

1. Does your company have the means to attain the necessary licensing agreement with the required OEMs to perform aircraft maintenance and overhaul? Please describe your relationship with the applicable OEMs and how you plan to accomplish this work.

2. Does your company have current capability to access repair data for KC-135R/T aircraft? If not, provide details explaining how your company will overcome the inability to access.

3. Identify and describe risks you perceive on this potential contract for:

1. Subcontract management

2. Parts Management of GFP

3. Configuration management

4. Program management

5. Personnel training

6. Engine support

7. Aircraft maintenance planning

8. AOG support

9. Drop-in maintenance

10. Functional Check Flight (FCF) pilots

The purpose of this SSS is to identify the availability and adequacy of potential competitive sources for such an award. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

SUBMISSION.

Contracting Office Address:

3001 Staff Drive, STE 2AE86A

Tinker AFB, OK 73145-3015

Primary Point of Contact:

Russell Watson, Contracting Officer

AFLCMC/WLTK

Russell.watson.5@us.af.mil