Praxair (HVOF) Thermal Spray Equipment Calibration

The Department of the Air Force Materiel Command Air Force Sustainment Center is seeking a follow-on maintenance contract for inspection, service, repair, calibration, and certification of Praxair (HVOF) Thermal Spray Equipment used across multiple Air Force weapon systems including C-5, C-17, C-130, B-1B, B-2, B-52, and various fighter aircraft. This is a sole source acquisition based on the sophisticated and proprietary nature of HVOF equipment, with the Government determining that only a single source is reasonably available under FAR 13.106-1(b)(1). The solicitation includes three contract line items covering thermal spray equipment maintenance and calibration services, emergency and unscheduled maintenance, and replacement parts. Contractor deliverables include a Maintenance Service Report accompanying all invoices, Calibration Certification within two days of service completion, a Quality Control Plan due within 30 days of award, an Environmental Safety and Occupational Health Plan due within 15 days of award, and an Accident Incident Report to be submitted within one hour of any mishap. Offers are due by 1500 Mountain Time on March 13, 2026, with submission via electronic mail to nichole.saucedo@us.af.mil and hideo.mera.2@us.af.mil, and all offerors must maintain current System for Award Management (SAM) registration and provide their CAGE code.

This procurement is not set-aside for small business concerns and is designated for award to Linde Advanced Material Technologies Inc., the original equipment manufacturer and incumbent contractor that has provided this specialized service for over 10 years. The contract value is redacted in the single source justification document, though the acquisition is classified under NAICS Code 811310 with a small business size standard of $12.5 million. The period of performance runs from March 14, 2026, through September 13, 2026, representing a six-month follow-on maintenance contract. All services will be performed at 7981 Georgia Street, Hill Air Force Base, Utah 84056. The contracting officer is Hideo Mera, and the Contracting Officer's Representative is John Pedri, with the primary point of contact for question submission being nichole.saucedo@us.af.mil and hideo.mera.2@us.af.mil. The Government has committed to continue searching the commercial market for additional distributors and vendors to preclude future single-source awards for this equipment.