CVN 81

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Lakehurst in New Jersey is seeking a competitive Firm-Fixed price contract for retractable sheaves components required for Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE) in support of CVN 81 construction. The procurement includes three retractable sheaves (starboard) Part Number 3491AS0500-2 and three retractable sheaves (port) Part Number 3491AS0500-3, along with associated engineering test reports and supporting data. These components are classified as Critical Safety Items (CSIs), necessitating a limited competition restricted to four qualified vendors: The Entwistle Company in Hudson, Massachusetts; Penn State Tool and Die Shop in Irwin, Pennsylvania; General Atomics in San Diego, California; and NAWCADLKE itself. The government will evaluate proposals based on vendor capability to meet the agency's specific requirements for these CSIs, with the final determination to conduct open competition remaining solely within government discretion. The proposal submission deadline is January 16, 2026.

This procurement carries no set-aside designation and is limited to the four pre-qualified responsible sources identified by the Navy. All pre-qualified vendors are encouraged to submit proposals, though the government retains full discretion regarding whether to proceed with limited or open competition based on responses received. The contract involves procurement and delivery of six total retractable sheave units—specifically three units each of the starboard and port configurations—along with required engineering test reports and associated technical data. Performance of this requirement will take place in the United States under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1) and FAR 6.302-1. The procurement falls under NAICS code 333998 for other aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment manufacturing, with the PSC category classified as Aircraft Landing Equipment (1710).