Heavy Aircraft Scales Maintenance

Pursuant to the authority of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.501(a), soliciting from a single source. The Government intends to negotiate and award a sole source five year IDIQ to Fairbanks Scales Inc. for the procurement of Heavy Aircraft Scales Equipment Maintenance and repairs. This service is necessary to inspect, maintain, repair, and calibrate the aircraft scales located in Hangar 1830 Edward AFB, CA to ensure the unit is completely and fully operational.

This requirement maintains and replaces critical components within the existing proprietary aircraft scale system built and maintained by Fairbanks Scales, Inc. since 1956.  This contract will  allow continued maintenance and sustainment of the aircraft scale system which is vitally essential to the successful accomplishment of the Air Force Aircraft Operational and Flight Test Missions.

This system consists of four scales with an interlocking mechanical weigh system with a digital recording readout display. It simultaneously records the weight of an aircraft on 4 separate scales and calculates the proportional weight based on the aircraft altitude and equipment configuration. The in-pit location extends to 3 stories below ground level and is comprised of intrinsically safe equipment. All work performed below the ground surface is performed IAW OSHA Confined Space requirements. Therefore, the acquisition will be a follow-on contract for the continued performance of a highly specialized service.

Fairbanks is the only factory direct provider capable of providing the required maintenance , repair, and calibration for the aircraft scale system. Additionally, there are no Fairbanks authorized distributors providing these parts or services, as Fairbanks does not sell parts to third parties or authorize third parties to perform maintenance or repair on their products due to proprietary concerns. A third-party vendor has no access to Fairbanks parts and will be unable to perform repair services or maintenance. The mechanical jacking system, the computer program that controls the system and the lever system was designed by Fairbanks Engineers for this specific application and is proprietary. Fairbanks designed and installed the control systems to meet the Hazardous Location (HAZLOC) in conformance with OSHA 1926.407(a)(b) and (b1) Class 1 Division 1 Electrical Ignition Hazard Technical Standards for signaling and lighting, by providing electrical apparatus that prevents electrical initiation of explosions. Intrinsically safe tools and apparatuses must be used in the pit area and personnel must be specifically trained and certified to work in a Non-Permitted Confined Space.

Due to warranties on parts requiring service specifically from the manufacturer of the original (as upgraded or repaired/replaced) equipment, the proprietary nature of the work limits the Government's ability to seek additional competition.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. However, in accordance with FAR 13.501(a), interested parties who believe they can satisfy the requirement described herein, including providing a system that can seamlessly integrate with the existing proprietary Fairbanks, Inc. infrastructure, may submit a written description of their firm's capabilities.

Responses must clearly demonstrate the firm's ability to meet all aspects of the requirement, specifically addressing the challenge of integrating with the existing proprietary Fairbanks Scales Inc. system and ability to attain parts without disrupting current operations or requiring substantial overhauls.

Information received from interested parties will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether a competitive procurement should be conducted in the future. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed acquisition based on the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.