F/A-18EF Horizontal Stabilator Actuator Bolt and Sleeve Removal Tool Set

The Department of the Navy Naval Air Systems Command Naval Air Warfare Center is seeking to procure a specialized tool set for the removal of horizontal stabilator actuator bolts and sleeves on F/A-18EF aircraft. This procurement falls under NAICS code 333515 for Cutting Tool and Machine Tool Accessory Manufacturing and PSC category 3455 for Cutting Tools For Machine Tools. The contract opportunity was posted on June 12, 2025, with responses due by June 27, 2025, providing potential contractors with a 15-day response window. The government intends to evaluate offers based on their expectation of receiving proposals from at least two responsible small business concerns at fair market prices. No specific evaluation criteria beyond standard small business qualifications have been detailed in this pre-solicitation notice.

This opportunity is designated as a Total Small Business Set-Aside, restricting competition to qualified small business entities only. The government has indicated reasonable expectation that multiple small business concerns will submit competitive offers, which supports their decision to proceed with the small business set-aside approach rather than full and open competition. No incumbent contractors, specific award values, budget ranges, or quantity requirements have been disclosed in this pre-solicitation notice. The specialized nature of the tool set for F/A-18EF aircraft maintenance suggests this is a niche procurement requiring expertise in military aviation maintenance equipment manufacturing. The short solicitation timeline indicates this may be addressing an urgent operational requirement for the Navy's Super Hornet fleet maintenance capabilities.