Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) T-45 Kingsville Technology Refresh Program (“T-45 KTRP”): Operational Flight Trainer (OFT) Control Loader System and Cockpit Refresh Effort

Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) T-45 Kingsville Technology Refresh Program (“T-45 KTRP”): Operational Flight Trainer (OFT) Control Loader System and Cockpit Refresh Effort

N6134022R0071

Sources Sought (Request for Information)

INTRODUCTION

The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD) Orlando, FL intends to sole source the T-45 OFT Control Loader System and Cockpit Refresh Effort in support of the T-45 KTRP to Industrial Smoke & Mirrors, Incorporated (ISM) Orlando, Florida, under the authority of 10 USC 2304(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1.  ISM is the only source which possesses the required compatible configuration necessary to timely deliver the technical refresh of the Control Loader Systems and Cockpits (includes but not limited to the shell, canopy, seat, and wiring) within the T-45 OFT devices.

In order to comply with PGI 206.302-1 the Government is seeking information on the availability of potential comparable sources to provide a Control Loader System and Cockpit products compatible with the T-45 OFT to the fleet.  Responses to this sources sought will be utilized to ensure no comparable source is available and more advantageous to the Government.  

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The T-45 KTRP OFT Control Loader System and Cockpit Refresh Effort involves the following:

• New control loader systems for the six (6) T-45 OFTs located in Naval Air Station (NAS) Kingsville, Texas
• New control loader systems for the six (6) T-45 OFTs located in NAS Pensacola, Florida
• Cockpit refurbishment for the six (6) T-45 OFTs located in NAS Pensacola, Florida
• New cockpits and associated wiring for the six (6) T-45 OFTs located in NAS Kingsville, Texas
• New cockpits seats for the six (6) T-45 OFTs located in NAS Kingsville, Texas
• New cockpits seats for the six (6) T-45 OFTs located in NAS Pensacola, Florida
• Associated Technical Documentation updates
• User, Operator, and Maintenance training
• Contractor support for installation, integration, and testing.

DISCLAIMER

THIS SOURCE SOUGHT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND

The T-45 KTRP will provide for commonality of the control loader systems across all aforementioned T-45 OFTs located in NAS Kingsville, Texas and NAS Pensacola, Florida. The existing ISM control loader systems in the T-45 OFTs require replacement of hardware and software in order to address hardware obsolescence. While the control loader system, cockpit, and cockpit seat may be available through other sources, a change to a source other than ISM would represent an unnecessary design change and will require modification to the Host and functional IOS software. An alternate source’s software would require additional testing and integration into the OFTs, which in turn would provide for a prolonged delivery period and is seen as an unacceptable delay in program readiness.

Ongoing market research performed by the Government supports there does not exist a commercially available item or non-developmental item to satisfy the Government’s requirement.  The anticipated award date is FY23 with deliveries commencing in FY23 and completion in FY23-FY24. 

REQUIRED CAPABILITIES

The Government requires the installation, integration, and testing expertise to provide the updated T-45C OFT Control Loader System and Cockpit that meet stated performance requirements.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Any resultant contract is anticipated to have a security classification level of UNCLASSIFIED.  Any resulting contract shall be compliant with the specialty metals restriction of the Berry Amendment in accordance with DFARS clauses 225.7003 and 252.225-7009, inclusive of Class Deviations 2008-O0002, unless an exception applies.

ELIGIBILITY

The applicable NAICScode for this requirement is 333318 (Other Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing). The Product Service Code (PSC) is 6910 (Training Aids).

SUBMISSION DETAILS

This sources sought notice is not a request for competitive proposals. It is a notice to determine if a comparable source exists and outline the Government’s intent to contract on a sole source basis with ISM.  Interested sources shall submit their written technical capabilities to provide the supplies described above.  Written response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government. All responses shall include Company Name, Company Address, Company Business Size, and Points of Contact including name, phone number, and e-mail address. Detailed written capabilities shall not exceed 5 pages and submissions must be sent by email to Ms. Sarah Landers (sarah.y.landers.civ@us.navy.mil) and Jonathan Abbott (jonathan.d.abbott.civ@us.navy.mil) in an electronic format that is compatible with MS Word, no later than 5 PM Eastern Time on Thursday, 16 June 2022. Verbal submissions via phone will not be honored. Information and materials submitted in response to this request WILL NOT be returned. Classified material SHALL NOT be submitted.