ADSB/GTN Garmin equipment install for N36SP

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, on behalf of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Aviation, issued a Request for Bid (RFB) for avionics installation services on state aircraft N36SP (Bombardier Lear 35A/C21). The procurement requires removal of existing dual Universal Avionics UNSIL GPS systems, radar systems, and dual TDR 94 transponders/Collins NAVCOMS, with installation of dual GARMIN GTX 3000 TXPs, GDL-88, FS210, dual Garmin GTN 750 GPS units, and Garmin GWX 70 radar in accordance with STCs #024555SE and #02230SE. Bidders must be FAA and GARMIN-approved installation facilities with documented experience completing at least one prior project requiring installation per both specified STCs on an aircraft with existing Universal Avionics UNSIL GPS systems, and must provide aircraft owner and tail number documentation of previous work. Geographic proximity is a mandatory requirement, with vendors required to maintain a location within 500 nautical miles of Capital City Airport in Frankfort, Kentucky. The evaluation criteria weights price at 100 points, while experience and geographic proximity function as pass/fail criteria. The RFB was issued January 15, 2019, with written questions due by January 23, 2019 COB and solicitation closing on February 5, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. EST. Installation must commence no later than August 1, 2019, and be completed within eight weeks of aircraft receipt. The vendor must supply all labor and materials, ensure FAA compliance, obtain supplemental type certificates from Butler Avionics, and coordinate scheduling 30 days in advance with the Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor.

Kentucky resident bidder reciprocal preference and qualified bidder preferences ranging from 15-20 percent apply to this procurement. All pricing must exclude federal excise tax and Kentucky sales or use tax, quoted as FOB Destination Freight Prepaid and Allowed, with the vendor responsible for shipping and freight. The Commonwealth requests trade-in credit for removed transponders to be deducted from total pricing, reducing the overall contract value. No specific budget range or award value is disclosed in the solicitation documents, making pricing competitive and best-value driven. No incumbent vendors are identified, and the contract represents a one-time equipment upgrade rather than an ongoing service. The integration requirement with the existing aircraft platform and compliance with specified STCs ensures that only qualified vendors capable of managing complex avionics systems will be successful in this procurement.