Standby Compass Calibrator

The Department of the Navy Naval Air Systems Command Naval Air Warfare Center intends to issue a sole source procurement for a Standby Compass Calibrator to Firstmark Aerospace Corporation (CAGE: 3BMV1). This procurement falls under the authority of 10 U.S.C.2304(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-l(b)(l), as only one responsible source exists and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The acquisition is classified under NAICS code 334511 for Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing and PSC code 6605 for Navigational Instruments. Market research conducted by the Lakehurst Technical team confirmed that Firstmark Aerospace Corporation is the only known manufacturer and owns all proprietary rights to the engineering data and detailed product drawings. The pre-solicitation notice was posted on August 13, 2025, with a due date of August 28, 2025.

This procurement does not utilize any set-aside designations and will proceed as a sole source award to Firstmark Aerospace Corporation. The government justifies this approach by stating that developing an alternative asset would be cost-prohibitive, requiring funding for Preliminary Design Review, Critical Design Review, First Article Test, and Test & Evaluation efforts. Any changes to form, fit, or function would necessitate updates to existing Integrated Logistics Support systems, including technical publications, spares inventory, and calibration, incurring additional costs ranging from $150,000 to $200,000. The Standby Compass Calibrator Test Set has an Acquisition Method Code of 3D, indicating that data needed to produce this item from additional sources is not physically available. The procurement is also driven by Foreign Military Sales requirements, as an FMS partner would forfeit fundamental benefits under their signed Letter of Acceptance if forced to utilize an asset that is not supported, compatible, or interchangeable with the USN-approved configuration.