MQ-4C Sling V-Tail Assembly

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst NJ anticipates the award of a firm fixed-price contract for the Sling V-Tail Assembly, Part Number: 3673310M01101-301, NSN: 1730-01-667-2945 for the MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) Program in support of the United States Navy and Royal Australian Air Force. The Sling V-Tail Assembly is designated a Critical Application Item (CAI). Use of a non-CAI item may result in marginal severity, which could result in one or more of the following: injury or occupational illness resulting in one or more lost workday(s); reversible moderate environmental impact; or monetary loss equal to or exceeding $100K but less than $1M. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 46.101 defines a CAI as "an item the failure of which is likely to result in hazardous or unsafe conditions for individuals using, maintaining, or depending upon the item; or is likely to prevent performance of a vital agency mission."

This procurement will be a limited competition between the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Northrop Grumman (CAGE: 78022), and Avioss LLC (CAGE: 7V3W5) as they are the only vendors approved to manufacture the above CAI item. A solicitation will NOT be posted following the close of this synopsis unless alternate offerors are identified.

Alternate offerors must submit a Source Approval Request (SAR) package within fifteen 915) days after the date of publication of this synopsis to the Contract Specialist in order to be considered for an award. Once received, the SAR package will be forwarded to the Technical Authority (TA). The SAR Package shall contain the following documentation:

• Copy of complete configuration drawings for a similar item(s) which your company has produced within the past three years, including test procedures for which your company has been:
  • Qualified to manufacture; and
  • Which is similar , i.e. requires the same materials, manufacturing processes, inspections, tolerances, and similar applications as the item(s) for which you are seeking approval
• Copy of the complete process/operation sheets used to manufacture the similar item, including but not limited to, detailed shop sketches. These plans must note those operations and processes performed by subcontractors/vendors.
• Complete copies of purchase orders, shipping documents, etc. that document delivery of production quantities of the part to the Original Equipment Manufacturer or Military service. Provide the most recent copies of the documents.
• A detailed comparative analysis of the differences/similarities between the similar part and the part(s) for which you are seeking approval. This analysis should include materials, configuration, tolerances, process requirements, dimensions, castings, forgings, etc.
• Copy of inspection method sheets used in the manufacturing and at final inspection. These sheets should include actual tolerance, print requirements, inspection devices, sources performing the operation, and level of inspection. Critical characteristics should be discernable from all other characteristics.

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS.

However, the Government will consider all responses received within fifteen (15) days of the date of publication of this synopsis. Registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov is mandatory for consideration. If time does not permit evaluation of SAR packages, the alternate offer will not be reviewed for this procurement, but, if approved, will be considered for future procurements. Please contact the Contract Specialist identified in this post for more information about the SAR package and approval process, and if there are any questions. Information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for an award of a contract. Responses must be received within fifteen (15) days of publication of this notice via email, no later than 29 April 2025 at 5:00 PM EDT to Alexander Buchan at alexander.g.buchan2.civ@us.navy.mil.