NAVY C/KC-130 Individual Aircraft Tracking Database and Service Life Assessment Tool

The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) intends to negotiate and award a contract with Mercer Engineering Research Center (MERC), an operating unit of The Corporation of Mercer University, 135 Osigian Blvd, Warner Robins, GA 31088.  The anticipated period of performance for this contract is one (1) 12-month base year and four (4) option years. 

Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 15 provisions will be used for this procurement.  This procurement is for the sustainment of C/KC-130 Automated Inspection, Repair, Corrosion, & Aircraft Tracking (AIRCAT) system to manage inspection intervals and repairs, data storage for flight data downloads, calculating Equivalent Baseline Hours (EBH) based on aircraft usage for tracking of life limited hardware and EBH based inspections, and Fleet requests for technical assistance.

A sole source acquisition will be procured under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, “Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.”  

Vendor searches were performed using the World Wide Web and a Dynamic Small Business Search was performed using North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541512 – Computer Systems Design Services. The results indicated there are few companies with experience performing services and developing software for tracking aircraft usage. However, market research has shown that those companies are focused on commercial applications. MERC has designed and owns the current software being used to perform this effort and the Government does not possess source code or the data rights associated with this software.  

MERC has obtained and maintained teaming agreements with Lockheed Martin, the C-130 Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and developer of the methodology to support the C/KC-130 AIRCAT program. MERC has worked with USAF and Lockheed Martin for over a decade to provide a highly effective and cost-competitive engineering support for the AIRCAT system.

MERC’s previous experience and current involvement with USAF C-130 AIRCAT systems ensures the requirements of this SOW will be met. It is not feasible to modify existing commercial systems to meet USN requirements.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. Interested parties, however, may identify their interest and capability by responding to this requirement. The Government will consider all capability information received prior to the closing date of this synopsis. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.  A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.  There is no commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation, make an award or awards, or to be responsible for any monies expended by any interested parties before award of a contract for the effort mentioned above. Information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for or award a contract.  No phone inquiries will be entertained.  Companies interested in subcontracting opportunities should contact Mercer Engineering Research Center (MERC), an operating unit of The Corporation of Mercer University, Mr. Brian Hess, bhess@merc-mercer.org.

Reponses shall be made in writing by email to the attention of Kathie Bartz, Kathie.m.bartz.civ@us.navy.mil and Shawn Campbell, shawn.campbell.civ@us.navy.mil.  Responses are due 5:00pm Eastern Daylight Time, 15 October 2025.

Unless otherwise stated herein, no additional written information is available. Request for the same will be disregarded.