T-38 Wingtips

The Department of the Air Force Materiel Command Air Force Sustainment Center is seeking production of T-38 Wingtips (Right-Hand NSN 1560-01-527-2195XE and Left-Hand NSN 1560-01-527-2194XE) under this Pre-Solicitation Notice posted on April 23, 2026. This procurement supports the Air Force's Time Compliance Technical Order (TCTO) to upgrade the T-38 fleet with new wing configurations. While this is designated as a sole-source acquisition to Northrop Grumman Corporation (CAGE Code 79U29), the Air Force has indicated that all responsible sources may submit quotations, bids, or proposals for consideration. The acquisition was authorized under 10 USC 3204(a)(1) for an "Only One Responsible Source" exemption based on Northrop Grumman's exclusive ownership of the drawings and intellectual property for the new wingtip configuration. The government conducted a Sources Sought Synopsis (FA8212-26-R-0003) on SAM.gov from January 15, 2026 to February 18, 2026, which resulted in only Northrop Grumman expressing written capability to deliver the required units. Interested parties have until May 7, 2026 to submit their responses to this Pre-Solicitation Notice.

This procurement involves no set-aside designations and carries an estimated contract cost of $6,500,000 on a Firm-Fixed Price basis. The requirement is for 64 Right-Hand and 66 Left-Hand wingtips, with an additional 7 Right-Hand units available as an optional order pending additional funding, representing the final procurement for the T-38 wingtip upgrade program conducted incrementally over the past 15 years. Northrop Grumman Corporation is the incumbent contractor and sole-source provider, having developed the new wingtip configuration. Delivery is scheduled to begin in May 2027 at a rate of 14 units per month, with Northrop Grumman's response to the Sources Sought indicating capability to deliver 7 units per month beginning May 2027. Fair and reasonable pricing is anticipated to be achieved through profit management and cost control strategies, and no other competitive sources are anticipated given the upgrade program's near-completion status.