C-20 Engine Technical Variance

NASA's National Aeronautics and Space Administration Shared Services Center has issued a Special Notice for a C-20 Engine Technical Variance requirement. The agency intends to award a sole source contract to Rolls-Royce PLC, located in London, United Kingdom, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), as the company has been determined to be the sole provider of this specialized service. The procurement will utilize commercial item and services procedures under FAR Part 12 and FAR Part 13. Performance of the work will take place at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC). The Notice was posted on March 4, 2026, with a one-day response window for interested parties to challenge the sole source determination.

The Special Notice seeks a Technical Variance determination for a Rolls-Royce Spey Mk. 511-8 C-20A engine that sustained a 0.041-inch nick on a Stage 7 high-pressure compressor blade during borescope inspection. The contractor must assess the technical feasibility of continuing aircraft operation with the damaged engine remaining installed, as standard maintenance protocols would ordinarily require engine removal from service. The submission deadline for capabilities and qualifications is March 5, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Central Standard Time, with the contract requiring award by March 10, 2026, and an estimated three-day completion period for the technical analysis. While the government intends to proceed with a sole source award to Rolls-Royce, any organization may submit written responses to demonstrate capabilities that could support a competitive procurement decision, though the final determination to compete remains solely at the government's discretion. Interested parties must submit written proposals only, as oral communications are not acceptable responses to this notice.