USAFA Wind Tunnel Air Tank Leak Repair

The United States Air Force Academy's Department of Aeronautics is seeking specialized contractors to repair critical air tank leaks in their Trisonic Wind Tunnel system through solicitation FA700025Q0121. The procurement requires non-personal services to repair fourteen identified leaks across six high-pressure air supply tanks, each approximately 68 feet long and 5 feet in diameter, operating at pressures up to 600 psi where failure could result in severe property damage, injury, or death. Contractors must provide all necessary materials, certified repair personnel, equipment, and complete the work within 30 days of contract award, following strict safety protocols including lockout/tagout procedures during normal operating hours (6:30 AM to 5:00 PM MST, Monday through Friday). The evaluation will be conducted on a lowest price technically acceptable basis, assessing technical qualifications as acceptable or unacceptable, past performance, and firm-fixed pricing on an F.O.B. Destination basis. Critical deadlines include questions due by August 12, 2025, and quote submissions due by 2:00 PM Mountain Standard Time on August 14, 2025, with responses limited to four pages total.

This opportunity is designated as a 100% small business set-aside under NAICS code 238220 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors) with a $19 million size standard for qualifying businesses. The previous inspection work identifying the fourteen leaks was conducted by Calspan Aero Systems Engineering, Inc. as a subcontractor to Applied Technical Services, with Calspan offering to manage the repair work as additional scope beyond their inspection services. While no specific contract value is disclosed in the solicitation documents, contractors must comply with Service Contract Act wage determinations requiring minimum wages of $17.75 per hour for contracts entered after January 30, 2022. The work will be performed at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, specifically at the Dean of Faculty Department of Aeronautics facilities housing the Trisonic Wind Tunnel system. All repair activities must address the critical Leak #13 at a vessel connection flange, which exhibits exponential pressure-dependent leakage and requires immediate attention due to its severe nature and potential for catastrophic failure.