ASC/YPK, Monahan Hall, Bldg. 12, 1981 Monahan Way, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7205

16 -- IMPROVED AVIONICS INTERMEDIATE SHOP (IAIS) INTERFACE TEST ADAPTERS (ITAS) FOR THE F-16 AIR COMBAT FIGHTER PROGRAM SOL n/a POC Capt Mark I. Wade, Contract Negotiator, (937) 255-4746 The F-16 System Program Office, ASC/YPKKB, intends to award a contract to provide 3 sets of F-16 Improved Avionics Intermediate Shop (IAIS) Interface Test Adapters (ITAs), IAIS support equipment (SE), Associated Automatic Test Equipment (ATE), and test program set (TPS) production integration services. The ITA and SE deliveries, and ATE/TPS integration services will be provided during the period of June 1998 through February 1999. The ATE and TPS production integration services will be required to verify that ATE and TPS hardware changes as a result of parts obsolescence will not impact the total IAIS performance specification requirements. The IAIS engineering support contemplated under this procurement requires both special test equipment (STE) and special tooling. The only known existing STE and special tooling required for this production effort resides at Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems (LMTAS), and is dedicated to support the operation and maintenance of fielded IAIS systems. The STE and special tooling is also committed to on-going sustainment efforts, as well as a number of Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contracts throughout the period of this follow-on production buy. Using another vendor to conduct the production engineering integration support LMTAS already provides would require the acquisition of a second complete set of STE and special tooling at an excessive cost, and would result in an unacceptable delay in production deliveries of the TPSs and SE. The contractual efforts described are necessary and support the efficient fabrication, fielding, and operational support of F-16 weapon system avionics test systems through the second quarter of FY99. Any delays in implementing this contractual effort will seriously impact the ability of the F-16 System Program Manager to provide mobile avionics test capability for the users in a timely and economical fashion, and jeopardize any potential cost savings that might be realized from competing this effort. LMTAS's continuous background and theassociated expertise is not possessed by any other contractor, and this could not be obtained from any other source in sufficient time to support near term mission requirements. Additionally, LMTAS has the experienced manufacturing, hardware and software engineering, and program management personnel in place and can insure a successful procurement meeting all cost, performance, and schedule requirements. No other known qualified sources exist that possess the IAIS support infrastructure in-place at LMTAS, and are capable of providing the total IAIS hardware and software production and integration requirements needed under this procurement. Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems is the intended source pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c) (1) (see note 22). Competitive opportunities exist to provide the ITAs and SE for this effort through LMTAS. Interested bidders for the ITA and SE portions of this effort should contact Mike Booher at LMTAS, (817)777-4036, PO Box 748, Ft. Worth, TX 76101-0748. Direct all other requests concerning this acquisition to Capt Mark I. Wade, Contract Negotiator, at (937)255-4746, ASC/YPKKB, 1981 Monahan Way, Bldg. 12, Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7205. An ombudsman has been established for this acquisition. The only purpose of the Ombudsman is to receive and communicate serious concerns from potential offerors when an offeror prefers not to use established channels to communicate his/her concerns during the proposal development phase of this acquisition. Potential offerors should use established channels to request information, pose questions, and voice concerns before resorting to use of the Ombudsman. Potential offerors are invited to contact ASC's Ombudsman Mr. Michael S. Coalson, Deputy Director, Systems Management, ASC/SY, Bldg 52, 2475 K. Street, Suite 1, WPAFB OH, 45433-7642, at (937) 255-3855 with serious concerns only. Routine communication concerning this acquisition should be directed to the points of contact listed in item 11 above. (0106)

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