Intent to sole source ISU 70 container

The Department of the Air Force Air Mobility Command seeks procurement of three ISU-70 KC container units, with an offer due date of September 25, 2026, under a small business set-aside. A concurrent sole-source justification and RFQ were posted on September 23, 2026, creating dual procurement pathways; the sole-source justification authorizes direct award to AAR Corp at $63,000 total, while the RFQ (FA481426Q0047) solicits competitive small business offers due September 28, 2026, with delivery by October 17, 2026.

Place of performance is Tampa, Florida (8011 Hangar Loop Drive, Building 53, Room 104). The NAICS code is 332439, Other Metal Container Manufacturing. The containers are required to support Special Operations Air Refueling (SOAR) detachment activation and address a critical asset shortage.

The baseline specification is the AAR Mobility Systems ISU-70 (Part Number 56150-000, NSN 8145-01-465-4160); vendors may propose equal or superior alternatives meeting all requirements. Containers must conform to strict physical dimensions (108.000 by 88.000 by 70.000 inches, ±0.5 inches), weigh no more than 1,450 pounds tare, support a minimum net payload of 10,000 pounds, and achieve a maximum gross operating weight of 11,360 pounds with usable internal volume of at least 285 cubic feet. Containers must integrate with military multi-modal logistics, include direct 463L aircraft restraint capability (compatible with C-130, C-17, C-5, KC-10, and KC-46), support CH-47/CH-53 external sling transport with certified lifting points, feature four-way forklift pockets and bilateral multi-door access (four-door configuration with two full-height and two half-doors), two top flip-up overhead compartment doors, removable center post, tie-down points for tactical vehicles, pre-machined receiver patterns for casters and towing assemblies, weather-tight gaskets, padlock hasps, and Chemical Agent Resistant Coating (CARC) Green 383 or FED-STD Desert Tan finish.

The sole-source acquisition is justified under FAR 13.101(b) based on AAR Mobility Systems being the exclusive manufacturer with no authorized resellers; market research conducted September 18–22, 2026 confirmed no authorized distributors exist in GSA or SAM.gov databases.