Anticipated Sole Source Award to Instron
Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted
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- Solicitation number
- F1S0AY6084A001
- Agency
- Air Force Test Center Air Force Materiel Command, Department of Defense
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 334515 Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals
- Place of performance
- Edwards, California 93524, United States
- Points of contact
-
- Josiah Broadway josiah.broadway@us.af.mil +1527843
- Christina Day christina.day.6@us.af.mil (661) 277-4503
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Air Force Test Center (AFTC/PZZF) at Edwards Air Force Base intends to issue a sole-source, firm-fixed-price purchase order for custom-manufactured C-17 Air Drop System (ADS) Link Calibration adapters (Instron Part No. CP139582). This is a one-time acquisition of mission-essential hardware required to interface with the government's newly acquired OEM Instron calibration machine, which the government cannot operate without the proprietary adapters. The requirement is being pursued under FAR authority 6.103-1, which allows sole-source awards when only one responsible source can satisfy agency requirements. Interested parties may submit a complete technical package by April 30, 2026, providing clear and convincing evidence of their capability to manufacture adapters that are 100% compatible with the Instron test system, accompanied by a statement confirming willingness to provide a full performance guarantee for fit, form, and function. The government will evaluate submissions based on technical capability to meet compatibility requirements and the offeror's ability to guarantee performance, though no formal solicitation documents are available at this time.
No set-aside designations apply to this procurement. Instron, located at 825 University Avenue, Norwood, Massachusetts 02062 (CAGE: CM3YHLY12DF5), is the anticipated sole-source awardee. The specific contract value is redacted in the government's justification documents, though the acquisition represents a significant cost savings compared to the government's current outsourced testing costs to NASA. The NAICS classification is 334515 (Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals) with a small business size standard of 750 employees. The government's justification notes that three other potential sources were contacted but could not guarantee work quality or material costs, supporting the sole-source determination made by Contracting Officer Christina Day on April 6, 2026.
Notice text
This is a presolicitation notice of intent to award a sole-source contract. This is not a solicitation for a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a commitment, implied or otherwise, that AFTC/PZZF will take procurement action in this matter. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this posting. The purpose of this notification is to inform industry of the Government's intent and to gain knowledge of other potentially qualified sources.
The Air Force Test Center (AFTC/PZZF) at Edwards AFB intends to issue a sole-source, Firm-Fixed-Price Purchase Order to Instron, CAGE: CM3YHLY12DF5, located at 825 University Avenue, Norwood, MA 02062. This action is pursued under the authority of RFO 6.103-1, "Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements,".
The applicable NAICS code is 334515, Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals, with a small business size standard of 750 employees.
The following is a brief description of the acquisition requirement:
The Government requires the one-time acquisition of custom-manufactured C-17 Air Drop System (ADS) Link Calibration adapters (Instron Part No. CP139582). These adapters are mission-essential hardware required to interface with the government's OEM Instron calibration machine, for which the government does not possess the proprietary technical data package.
Submission Information:
There are no solicitation documents available. However, any responsible source that believes it can meet the Government's requirement may submit a complete technical package providing clear and convincing evidence of their capabilities. The response must demonstrate the ability to manufacture adapters that are 100% compatible with the Instron test system and must be accompanied by a statement confirming the offeror's willingness to provide a full performance guarantee for the fit, form, and function of the items without access to the OEM's proprietary data.
All information furnished shall be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow the Government to make a determination of the offeror's capabilities.
The Air Force Test Center has appointed an Ombudsman to consider and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors. Concerned parties should address their concerns to the Contracting Officer prior to consulting the Ombudsman. The AFTC Ombudsman contact information is: Air Force Test Center Vice Commander, 1 South Rosamond Blvd, Edwards AFB, CA 93524-3784; Email: aftc.workflow@us.af.mil.
Responses must be received no later than 12:00 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time, April 30th. Responses should be submitted via email to: Contracting Specialist Josiah Broadway, E-mail: josiah.broadway@us.af.mil. Contracting Officer Christina Day, Email: christina.day.6@us.af.mil
Attachments
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Justification and approval adocument RFO redacted_Redacted.pdf |
Notice history
| Notice | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Custom C-17 ADS Link Calibration Adapters | Solicitation | |
| Anticipated Sole Source Award to Instron | Pre-Solicitation |
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