Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Test Pilot Course

The 341st Missile Wing, Department of the Air Force Global Strike Command, issued a sole-source Notice of Intent on July 31, 2026 to contract with Leonardo S.p.A for a 10-day initial qualification course training four MH-139 Maintenance Test Pilots at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, with responses due by August 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM MDT. This is not a request for competitive offers; however, any responsible source may submit written evidence demonstrating that competition would be advantageous to the Government. Leonardo S.p.A, as the Original Equipment Manufacturer, possesses unique proprietary knowledge of the MH-139 aircraft's design, manufacturing, and engineering that no other vendor can provide, making the OEM sole source justified on grounds of safety and technical accuracy. The course comprises Phase I (three flight familiarization sorties totaling 6 hours covering normal operations, emergency procedures, and IFR procedures) and Phase II (18-hour ground course plus 3–4 days of flight training, approximately 6 hours, focused on maintenance check pilot procedures and post-maintenance functional check flights). Contractor must hold AW-139 qualification with Maintenance Test Pilot and Certified Flight Instructor certifications, comply with base access requirements including criminal background checks and REAL ID identification, and adhere to CTIP, anti-terrorism training, force protection, OSHA, and DoD security protocols. All responses must be submitted in writing to 341 CONS at Malmstrom AFB; oral communications are not acceptable. If no affirmative written response is received by the deadline, award will proceed without further notice.