Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization

The Government intends to solicit and award a sole source contract modification to The Boeing Company for Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) activities for the VC-25B Program. The purpose of EMD is to complete detailed design, modification, test and fielding of two aircraft which will provide Presidential worldwide airlift support starting in the 2024 timeframe. The Amendment 01 to the  Request for Proposal (RFP) is attached to this announcement. The Justification and Approval in accordance with FAR 6.302-1 "Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements," dated 23 Feb 2015 can be accessed at: https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=cd8446bfe8695d18e65dc3b6ce5e003d&tab=core&_cview=1

The original request for proposal is based upon original authorization received from Mr. Frank Kendall, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, continuing a deliberate, step-by-step approach to reduce program and cost risk. Previous contract actions were issued for engineering risk reduction studies concentrated in specific technical areas of future design and integration work and Preliminary Design.  Most notably were studies on the layout of passenger accommodations, system specification, the environmental control system, the aircraft interior, and the electrical and power system, as well as other areas to ensure completion of presidential missions.  This data will greatly influence the aircraft design and will lead to a lower risk Engineering and Manufacturing Development program.

The scope of this effort includes the modification by Boeing to the already-Federal Aviation Administration certified Boeing 747-8 aircraft to meet presidential operational requirements.  The modifications to the 747-8 aircraft will include electrical power upgrades, a mission communication system, a medical facility, executive interior, a self-defense system, and autonomous ground operations capabilities.

Respondents to this solicitation are requested to submit a capability statement or proposal by the Response Date listed in this notice.

For more information on the VC-25B requirements, please refer to the attachments, the Presolicitation Notice posted on 28 Jan 2015, the RFP Notice posted on 12 Sep 2016, and the Sources Sought Synopsis posted on 9 Sep 2013, the latter of which can be accessed at: https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=904b9445a58553ade5cee5251cb9a41c&tab=core&_cview=1

All responses to the Presolicitation Notice and the Sources Sought Synopsis were carefully considered and extensive market research was conducted.

Any proposals will be fully evaluated by this office before award of a sole source contract modification. The Government is not responsible for any costs incurred by responding to this notice. Please refer any questions to the points of contact listed below:

Mr. James B. Patterson, Jr., Procuring Contracting Officer, (937) 255-1578
Ms. Ashlee J. Green, Contract Negotiator, (937) 656-9539
Ms. Amy J. Johnson, Contract Negotiator, (937) 255-1240

The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, has been awarded a $3,021,047 modification to previously awarded contract FA8625-16-C-6599 for Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization Program Phase 2 Pre-Milestone B activities.  Phase 2 Pre-Milestone B activities were awarded Jul. 15, 2016 under contract modification number FA8625-16-C-6599 P00003. These additional activities will most notably focus on the increasing key supplier expertise in support of requirement analysis for the Engine Integrated Drive Generator.  Boeing was granted an Early Effective Date of Dec. 9, 2016 for this effort and work began on that date.  This modification is another step in a deliberate process to control program risk and life cycle costs.  

This contract is being awarded on a sole-source basis. As the designer and manufacturer of the commercial 747-8 aircraft, The Boeing Company has the unique capability to perform necessary tasks to provide a Presidential aircraft. Boeing is also uniquely capable of satisfying all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification requirements with the highest confidence to meet the established program operational need date. This unique capability is based on Boeing's exclusively private development of the aircraft and sole ownership of the 747-8 aircraft stress, loads, and aero design data. Boeing declined to sell or otherwise provide the United States Government or other contractors the license rights needed to conduct an adequate competition or to provide additional engineering services in lieu of data rights.

The nature of the effort needed to meet PAR Program requirements is such that a non-Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) attempting the extensive modifications required for a Boeing 747-8 aircraft to meet PAR Program requirements would face significant challenges in securing required FAA Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) without availability of OEM technical data and technical support. Without the OEM's technical data and technical support, a non-OEM would be responsible for generating and recreating basic aircraft technical design data. The FAA would require a significant amount of proof in terms of data development, compliance methodology, and reverse engineering type design data needed to substantiate and certify the modifications required for the PAR Program. Non-OEM reverse engineering type design data introduces significant cost and schedule risk into this program, which would jeopardize having an initial operational capability by 2024.

The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, has been awarded a $16,029,455 modification for classified requirements to previously awarded contract FA8625-16-C-6599 for the Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization Program Pre-Milestone B Phase 2 Activities. This modification is yet another step in a deliberate process to control program risk and life cycle costs. This modification supplements ongoing risk reduction activities needed to address PAR sustainment requirements and costs that are in addition to those unclassified Phase 2 Activities awarded on July 15, 2016. This modification will aid in further defining detailed requirements and design trade-offs required to support informed decisions that will lead to a lower risk engineering and manufacturing development program and lower life cycle costs.

This contract is being awarded on a sole-source basis. As the designer and manufacturer of the commercial 747-8 aircraft, The Boeing Company has the unique capability to perform necessary tasks to provide a Presidential aircraft. Boeing is also uniquely capable of satisfying all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification requirements with the highest confidence to meet the established program operational need date. This unique capability is based on Boeing's exclusively private development of the aircraft and sole ownership of the 747-8 aircraft stress, loads, and aero design data. Boeing declined to sell or otherwise provide the United States Government or other contractors the license rights needed to conduct an adequate competition or to provide additional engineering services in lieu of data rights.

The nature of the effort needed to meet PAR Program requirements is such that a non-Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) attempting the extensive modifications required for a Boeing 747-8 aircraft to meet PAR Program requirements would face significant challenges in securing required FAA Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) without availability of OEM technical data and technical support. Without the OEM's technical data and technical support, a non-OEM would be responsible for generating and recreating basic aircraft technical design data. The FAA would require a significant amount of proof in terms of data development, compliance methodology, and reverse engineering type design data needed to substantiate and certify the modifications required for the PAR Program. Non-OEM reverse engineering type design data introduces significant cost and schedule risk into this program, which would jeopardize having an initial operational capability by 2024.

The Government intends to solicit and award a sole source contract modification to The Boeing Company for Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) activities for the Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization (PAR) Program. The purpose of EMD is to complete detailed design, modification, test and fielding of two aircraft which will provide Presidential worldwide airlift support starting in the 2024 timeframe. The Request for Proposal is attached to this announcement. The Justification and Approval in accordance with FAR 6.302-1 "Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements," dated 23 Feb 2015 can be accessed at: https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=cd8446bfe8695d18e65dc3b6ce5e003d&tab=core&_cview=1

This notice was originally identified as FA8625-15-C-6599. The contract was awarded in Fiscal Year 2016, therefore the number was changed to FA8625-16-C-6599. This request for proposal is based upon authorization received from Mr. Frank Kendall, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, continuing a deliberate, step-by-step approach to reduce program and cost risk. Two previous contract actions were issued for engineering risk reduction studies concentrated in specific technical areas of future design and integration work.  Most notably were studies on the layout of passenger accommodations, system specification, the environmental control system, the aircraft interior, and the electrical and power system, as well as other areas to ensure completion of presidential missions.  This data will greatly influence the aircraft design and will lead to a lower risk Engineering and Manufacturing Development program.

The scope of this effort includes the modification by Boeing to the already-Federal Aviation Administration certified Boeing 747-8 aircraft to meet presidential operational requirements.  The modifications to the 747-8 aircraft will include electrical power upgrades, a mission communication system, a medical facility, executive interior, a self-defense system, and autonomous ground operations capabilities.

Respondents to this solicitation are requested to submit a capability statement or proposal by the Response Date listed in this notice.

For more information on the PAR requirements, please refer to the attachments, the Presolicitation Notice posted on 28 Jan 2015 and the Sources Sought Synopsis posted on 9 Sep 2013, the latter of which can be accessed at: https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=904b9445a58553ade5cee5251cb9a41c&tab=core&_cview=1

All responses to the Presolicitation Notice and the Sources Sought Synopsis were carefully considered and extensive market research was conducted.

Any proposals will be fully evaluated by this office before award of a sole source contract modification. The Government is not responsible for any costs incurred by responding to this notice. Please refer any questions to the points of contact listed below:

James B. Patterson, Jr., Procuring Contracting Officer, (937) 255-1578
Ashlee J. Green, Contract Negotiator, (937) 656-9539

The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, has been awarded a $127,300,000 modification to previously awarded contract FA8625-16-C-6599 for Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization Program Pre-Milestone B Activities Phase 2. This modification is another step in a deliberate process to control program risk and life cycle costs. The contractor will conduct risk reduction activities needed to address PAR sustainment requirements and costs that are additional to those initially awarded on Jan. 29, 2016. These activities will most notably focus on the system specification, the environmental control system, the aircraft interior, the electrical and power system and sustainment and maintenance approaches. They will aid in further defining detailed requirements and design trade-offs required to support informed decisions that will lead to a lower risk engineering and manufacturing development program and lower life cycle costs.

This contract is being awarded on a sole-source basis. As the designer and manufacturer of the commercial 747-8 aircraft, The Boeing Company has the unique capability to perform necessary tasks to provide a Presidential aircraft. Boeing is also uniquely capable of satisfying all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification requirements with the highest confidence to meet the established program operational need date. This unique capability is based on Boeing's exclusively private development of the aircraft and sole ownership of the 747-8 aircraft stress, loads, and aero design data. Boeing declined to sell or otherwise provide the United States Government or other contractors the license rights needed to conduct an adequate competition or to provide additional engineering services in lieu of data rights.

The nature of the effort needed to meet PAR Program requirements is such that a non-Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) attempting the extensive modifications required for a Boeing 747-8 aircraft to meet PAR Program requirements would face significant challenges in securing required FAA Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) without availability of OEM technical data and technical support. Without the OEM's technical data and technical support, a non-OEM would be responsible for generating and recreating basic aircraft technical design data. The FAA would require a significant amount of proof in terms of data development, compliance methodology, and reverse engineering type design data needed to substantiate and certify the modifications required for the PAR Program. Non-OEM reverse engineering type design data introduces significant cost and schedule risk into this program, which would jeopardize having an initial operational capability by 2024.

This Justification and Approval encompasses all activities required to field up to three Presidential mission ready aircraft, except for the procurement of the commercial 747-8 platform. This authority includes but is not limited to contracting for the management, design (to include any necessary studies or analyses), integration, modification (including but not limited to structural modifications), test/verification, certification and pre-operational support to deliver up to three Boeing 747-8 aircraft to be Presidential mission ready. The PAR Program aircraft modifications will include, but not be limited to, air stairs, electrical power generator upgrades, and dual Auxiliary Power Units (APUs), to meet the full range of PAR Program requirements.

This actual contract award number is FA8625-16-C-6599. An "A" was included in the contract number in this notice due to technical difficulties.

The Boeing Company has been awarded a cost plus fixed fee contract for Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization Program Phase 1 Pre-Milestone B Activities. Contractor will conduct activities aimed at improving affordability and reducing program execution risk. These activities will include the definition of detailed requirements and design trade-offs required to support informed decisions. These will lead to a lower-risk engineering and manufacturing development program and lower life cycle costs.

This contract is being awarded on a sole-source basis. As the designer and manufacturer of the commercial 747-8 aircraft, The Boeing Company has the unique capability to perform necessary tasks to provide a Presidential aircraft. Boeing is also uniquely capable of satisfying all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification requirements with the highest confidence to meet the established program operational need date. This unique capability is based on Boeing's exclusively private development of the aircraft and sole ownership of the 747-8 aircraft stress, loads, and aero design data. Boeing declined to sell or otherwise provide the United States Government or other contractors the license rights needed to conduct an adequate competition or to provide additional engineering services in lieu of data rights.

The nature of the effort needed to meet PAR Program requirements is such that a non-Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) attempting the extensive modifications required for a Boeing 747-8 aircraft to meet PAR Program requirements would face significant challenges in securing required FAA Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) without availability of OEM technical data and technical support. Without the OEM's technical data and technical support, a non-OEM would be responsible for generating and recreating basic aircraft technical design data. The FAA would require a significant amount of proof in terms of data development, compliance methodology, and reverse-engineering type design data needed to substantiate and certify the modifications required for the PAR Program. Non-OEM reverse engineering type design data introduces significant cost and schedule risk into this program, which would jeopardize having an initial operating capability by 2024.

The Air Force intends to issue a solicitation and award a sole source contract to The Boeing Company for the Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization (PAR) Program. The scope of the effort will include the management, design (to include any necessary studies or analyses), integration, modification (including but not limited to structural modifications), test/verification, certification, pre-operational support, and training to deliver up to three Boeing 747-8 aircraft to be Presidential ready. This effort entails a highly complex integration of extensive modifications and numerous subsystems which must seamlessly interface with each other and the 747-8 commercial aircraft systems in order to meet the Presidential "no fail" mission.

This solicitation will result in a contract award to reduce program schedule risk by conducting subsystem studies, performing requirements decomposition and analysis on the 747-8 aircraft subsystems and delivering an initial Layout of Passenger Accommodations (LOPA) for the PAR aircraft.

As the designer and manufacturer of the commercial 747-8 aircraft, The Boeing Company has the unique capability to perform necessary tasks to provide a Presidential aircraft. Boeing is also uniquely capable of satisfying all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification requirements with the highest confidence to meet the established program operational need date. This unique capability is based on Boeing's exclusively private development of the aircraft and sole ownership of the 747-8 aircraft stress, loads, and aero design data. Boeing declined to sell or otherwise provide the United States Government or other contractors the license rights needed to conduct an adequate competition or to provide additional engineering services in lieu of data rights.

The nature of the effort needed to meet PAR Program requirements is such that a non-Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) attempting the extensive modifications required for a Boeing 747-8 aircraft to meet PAR Program requirements would face significant challenges in securing required FAA Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) without availability of OEM technical data and technical support. Without the OEM's technical data and technical support, a non-OEM would be responsible for generating and recreating basic aircraft technical design data. The FAA would require a significant amount of proof in terms of data development, compliance methodology, and reverse-engineering type design data needed to substantiate and certify the modifications required for the PAR Program. Non-OEM reverse engineering type design data introduces significant cost and schedule risk into this program, which would jeopardize having an initial operating capability by 2023.

For information on the PAR requirements, please refer to the Sources Sought Synopsis posted by this office to FedBizOpps on 9 Sep 2013, which can be accessed at: https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=904b9445a58553ade5cee5251cb9a41c&tab=core&_cview=1  
All responses to the Sources Sought Synopsis were carefully considered and extensive market research was conducted.

This is a notice of intent, not a solicitation. The Air Force does not intend to provide any further information on this requirement. Responsible sources, however, may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the Air Force if received within 15 calendar days of the posting of this notice. Any respondent is to specify in its response whether it is a large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a) concern, women-owned small business, HUBZone small business, veteran-owned small business or service-disabled veteran-owned small business.

Respondents should also specify whether they are a U.S. or foreign-owned firm. Any responses will be fully evaluated by this office before a final decision is made to solicit and negotiate with only one source in accordance with FAR 6.302-1, "Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements." The Government is not responsible for any costs incurred by responding to this notice.