UH-60 Variable Stability System Installation

Added: Sep 01, 2015 3:15 pm  

This justification and approval authorizes the issuance of a sole source, Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) contract to Calspan Corporation for installation of a Variable Stability System (VSS) into Government-owned UH-60L helicopters for the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) at the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) located in Patuxent River, MD.

The contract will procure required VSS components and the design, fabrication, installation and ground testing for VSS systems currently owned by the Government.   The systems were removed from retired USNTPS SH-60B helicopters and are being updated and installed on USNTPS UH-60L helicopters on long-term transfer from Army to NTPS.   Updated VSS design and components are required due to obsolescence issues and integration demands for the new UH-60L platform.  The contract will be for one system components package with options for an additional three system components packages once the initial installation has been accepted by the Government.   Acceptance flight testing will be done by USNTPS personnel at Calspan's Flight Research Facility in Niagara Falls, and final testing will be accomplished at NAS Patuxent River, MD.

 

The USNTPS has a requirement for VSS-equipped helicopters to support the Helicopter Flight Mechanics flight syllabus for the purpose of illustrating systematic changes in stability and control derivatives.  From 1992 until 2001, the USNTPS operated a SH-60B helicopter equipped with a Variable Stability System (VSS) designed and built by Veridian Engineering - Flight Research Group (now Calspan Corporation).   In 2011, the VSS-equipped SH-60B's were retired by the Navy, and a service-type contract was executed to maintain the Flight Mechanics training until a long-term organic solution became available.  The receipt of VSS-capable UH-60L helicopters by USNTPS affords that solution.  Under this sole-source effort, the VSS Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Calspan, will integrate the Government-owned systemss into the UH-60Ls, while replacing obsolete components and taking advantage of improvements in sensor, display and computer performance. 

As the VSS OEM, only Calspan has the capability and technical data to integrate the Government-owned VSS into the USNTPS UH-60L helicopters in satisfaction of operational requirements.  Market research and efforts to seek other sources (as described below) revealed no alternative near off-the-shelf solutions approved by a military airworthiness certification process.  Due to leveraging the initial VSS design and hardware the installation cost of the updated VSS system is less than the cost to procure the initial system in 1992.   

USNTPS has no current plans to compete future contacts for the types of supplies/services covered by this document.  However, the USNTPS will continue to survey the market, and if another potential source emerges, the USNTPS will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), Patuxent River, Maryland, has awarded Firm Fixed Price contract under N00421-15-C-0045 to Calspan Corporation of Niagara Falls, New York in support of the United States navy Test Pilot School for the installation of a Variable Stability System (VSS), in a UH-60 helicopter. The contract was awarded on 18 August 2015; with an award value of $1,565,688 for the base period and a total potential contract value of $3,362,956 should all options for three additional VSS units be exercised. This requirement is for the installation of a VSS into an UH-60 aircraft in order to train qualified flight engineers and test pilots in the various types of rotary winged aircraft used by the Navy and Marine Corps. This requirement was issued under RFP N00421-15-R-0027 as a Sole Source acquisition. Sources Sought/Request for Information 25112-15-0009 was issued in FedBizOpps on 8 November 2014, to which two vendors replied and only Calspan was determined capable. The contract consists of a firm fixed price (FFP) CLIN for the base unit, three additional option CLINS for the additional units, and Not Separately Priced CLINs for Contract Data Requirements Lists.

. Awarded Vendors: CALSPAN CORPORATION. Contract Award Dollar Amount: 1565688. Contract Award Date: 2015-08-18.

Added: Sep 01, 2015 2:55 pm  

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), Patuxent River, Maryland, has awarded Firm Fixed Price contract under N00421-15-C-0045 to Calspan Corporation of Niagara Falls, New York in support of the United States navy Test Pilot School for the installation of a Variable Stability System (VSS), in a UH-60 helicopter.  The contract was awarded on 18 August 2015; with an award value of $1,565,688 for the base period and a total potential contract value of $3,362,956 should all options for three additional VSS units be exercised.  This requirement is for the installation of a VSS into an UH-60 aircraft in order to train qualified flight engineers and test pilots in the various types of rotary winged aircraft used by the Navy and Marine Corps. This requirement was issued under RFP N00421-15-R-0027 as a Sole Source acquisition.  Sources Sought/Request for Information 25112-15-0009 was issued in FedBizOpps on 8 November 2014, to which two vendors replied and only Calspan was determined capable.  The contract consists of a firm fixed price (FFP) CLIN for the base unit, three additional option CLINS for the additional units, and Not Separately Priced CLINs for Contract Data Requirements Lists.