F-16 CENTER DISPLAY UNIT LINE REPLACEABLE UNIT (CDU)
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of the Air Force (AFLCMC) has issued a Justification and Approval (J&A) for a sole-source contract award to Vertex Modernization and Sustainment LLC (Vertex) for the F-16 Center Display Unit (CDU) program. This effort ensures the continued production and sustainment of safety-critical instrumentation for the F-16 fleet.
Scope of Work
The contract covers the procurement of hardware, software, and engineering services, including:
- Approximately 315 CDU Assembly kits and associated spares.
- Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) services and Interim Contractor Support (ICS).
- Depot support and repair technical manuals.
- Software support for F-16 capability upgrades and Operational Flight Programs (OFPs).
- Delivery of technical data items such as Software Design Descriptions and Interface Control Documents.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: 10-year IDIQ (5-year base period plus one 5-year option).
- Pricing: Firm Fixed Price (FFP), Cost Reimbursement No Fee, and Cost-Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF).
- Estimated Award Date: December 2024.
- Set-Aside: None (Sole Source).
- Place of Performance: Indianapolis, IN.
Justification
The award is justified under FAR 6.302-1 (Only One Responsible Source). The Air Force determined that Vertex is the only vendor possessing the necessary proprietary data rights and technical expertise. Introducing a new source would result in unacceptable delays of 8–10 years and substantial duplication of costs that would not be recovered through competition.
Additional Notes
Market research conducted since 2011 has consistently identified Vertex (the OEM) as the only capable provider. This notice is for informational purposes regarding the sole-source justification and is not a solicitation for competitive proposals.