F-16 Fuel Cells
Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted
This opportunity was awarded. See its 2 award notices in the notice history.
- Solicitation number
- SPRHA4-25-R-0381
- Agency
- Aviation Defense Logistics Agency, Department of Defense
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 336413 Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
- PSC
- 1560 Airframe Structural Components
- Points of contact
-
- Travis Bodily travis.bodily@us.af.mil (385) 591-0001
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Defense Logistics Agency Aviation is conducting market research for F-16 fuel cells, seeking to identify potential sources capable of manufacturing these critical aircraft components. The pre-solicitation notice outlines a comprehensive qualification process that requires manufacturers to demonstrate unique design capabilities, engineering skills, and manufacturing knowledge specific to these fuel cells. Interested parties must submit capability statements within 15 days of the notice, with the government specifically looking to assess whether commercial items or non-developmental alternatives exist that meet their requirements. Manufacturers must be prepared to undergo a rigorous qualification procedure approved by government engineering activities, which includes detailed facility certifications, data package verifications, and manufacturing process validations. The contracting officer will evaluate submissions based on the ability to meet stringent technical requirements, with award contingent upon meeting qualification standards at the time of contract award.
The procurement involves an estimated quantity of 22 fuel cells with a staggered delivery schedule from September 2025 to January 2026, with deliveries of 5 units per month and a final 2-unit delivery in January 2026. No specific set-aside for small businesses is planned, indicating the technical complexity may favor larger, more established manufacturers. The qualification process is estimated to take 730 days and potentially involve significant upfront investments, including approximately $50,000 for testing and evaluation and potentially $1.2 million for specialized wet test fixtures. The fuel cells are identified by specific NSN (1560-01-322-9987) and part numbers (320-4-45550-105 and 8161-1), with delivery destination coded as SW3210. While this is a pre-solicitation notice and not a formal request for proposal, it signals the government's intent to carefully evaluate potential manufacturing sources for these critical aircraft components.
Notice text
Combined Request for Information and Synopsis
This notice is a combined Request for Information and Synopsis. The primary purposes of this notice are as follows:
- Conduct market research to determine if other sources capable of satisfying the agency’s requirements exist and if commercial items or non-developmental items are available that meet the agency’s requirements.
- Improve small business access to acquisition information.
- Enhance competition by identifying contracting and subcontracting opportunities.
This announcement is not a Request for Proposal or an Invitation for Bid, nor is it to be construed as a commitment by the Government. The Government does not intend to contract based on this request or otherwise pay for any information solicited herein. Interested parties should contact Travis Bodily at 385-519-8100 or Email travis.bodily@us.af.mil
Detailed Information
Noun: Fuel Cells
NSN: 1560-01-322-9987
P/N: 320-4-45550-105
P/N: 8161-1
Estimated Quantity: 22 EA
Destination: SW3210
Estimated Delivery Schedule: 5 EA - 23 September 2025, 5 EA – 23 October 2025, 5 EA - 23 November 2025, 5 EA - 23 December 2025, 2 EA – 23 January 2026
Set-aside: It is NOT expected that this requirement will be set-aside for small businesses
Statements
Based upon market research, the Government is not planning on using policies contained in Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items, in its solicitation for the described supplies or services. However, interested parties may identify to the contracting officer their interest and capability to satisfy the Government's requirement with a commercial item within 15 days of this notice.
All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency.
This part required engineering source approval by the design control activity to maintain the quality of the part. Existing unique design capability, engineering skills and manufacturing knowledge by the qualified source(s). The approved source(s) retain data rights, manufacturing knowledge, or technical data that are not economically available to the Government, and the data or knowledge is essential to maintaining the quality of the part. An alternate source must qualify in accordance with the design control activity’s procedures, as approved by the cognizant Government engineering activity. The qualification procedures must be approved by the Government engineering activity having jurisdiction over the part in the intended application.
Award will be made only if the offeror, the product/service, or the manufacturer meets qualification requirements at the time of award in accordance with FAR clause 52.209-1. The solicitation identifies the office where additional information can be obtained concerning qualification requirements are cited in each individual solicitation.
One or more of the items under this acquisition is subject to Free Trade Agreements.
Attachments
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| MQR.pdf |
Notice history
| Notice | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| F-16 Fuel Cells | Award Notice | |
| F-16 Fuel Cells | Award Notice | |
| F-16 Fuel Cells | Solicitation | |
| F-16 Fuel Cells | Pre-Solicitation |
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