KC-46 Thrust Reverser Plug Set

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides clarification regarding the quantity and definition of "Set" for Part Number LMC18M87 (Thrust Reverser Plug Set).

• Requirement Clarification: The vendor seeks clarification on whether the requirement for "12 Each" refers to 12 individual engines or 12 complete aircraft.
• Scenario A (Per Engine): If "12 Each" means 12 Engine Sets, the total delivery would be 12 Left and 12 Right plugs.
• Scenario B (Per Aircraft): If "12 Each" means 12 Aircraft Sets (Shipsets), the total delivery would be 24 Left and 24 Right plugs.
• Customer Confirmation: The customer requires Scenario A.

This clarification is crucial for bidders to accurately price the requirement. Understanding whether the quantity refers to individual engines or complete aircraft directly impacts the number of units to be delivered and priced.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items to procure PW4000 Thrust Reverse Plug sets for the KC-46 Aircraft. The requirement specifies a 2-piece semi-circle shape (left side/right side) as opposed to a 4-piece quarter shape.

• Procurement of PW4000 Thrust Reverse Plug sets.

• Items to be in a 2-piece semi-circle shape (left side/right side).

• Refer to the attached "Salient Characteristics" for detailed requirements.

• Contract type: Commercial Items.

• Period of Performance/Delivery Date: To be found on the Pricing Schedule.

• FOB Point: Destination.

• Place of Performance: 304 N 7th Street, Altus AFB, OK 73523.

• The solicitation is a 100% small business set-aside.

• Offerors must ensure their SAM.gov registration is current and that FAR 52.212-3 (including Alternate I) is updated.

• Proposal submissions must remain valid for at least 30 days after the solicitation closes.

• Questions are due by Monday, March 9, 2026, 11:00 AM CST.

• Offers are due by Monday, March 16, 2026, 11:00 AM CST.

• Refer to "Instructions to Offerers" and "Evaluation Factors" attachments for detailed submission and evaluation guidance.

• This solicitation is a 100% small business set-aside.

• Incorporated provisions and clauses are effective through FAC 2025-06, DPN 2025/10/11, and AFAC 2024/10/16.

• Key attachments include: Salient Characteristics, Clauses and Provisions, Instructions to Offerers, Evaluation Factors, and Pricing Schedule.

• The Point of Contact (POC) for this solicitation is SSgt Daric Giles (daric.giles@us.af.mil, 580-481-7263).

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the evaluation factors for the solicitation, detailing how offers will be assessed. It clarifies the criteria the Government will use to determine the most advantageous offer.

• Evaluation Approach: The Government will award a contract to the responsible offeror whose quote is most advantageous, considering price and other factors.
• Evaluation Factors:
  • Factor 1 – Price: The Government will award to the responsible offeror whose quotation is most advantageous, considering price and other factors. The Government reserves the right to award to other than the low quote for a higher quality item.
  • Factor 2 – Technical: This factor assesses whether the vendor's quoted item meets all provided information from the Salient Characteristics. Quotes will be rated as "acceptable" or "unacceptable."
• Technical Submission Requirements: Technical information must be clear, concise, and detailed, substantiating claims. Quotes should not merely restate Salient Characteristics or use general statements. Proposals must provide convincing rationale on how the technical offer meets requirements, assuming no prior Government knowledge of the offeror's experience.
• Rating Description:
  • "Acceptable": Quote clearly meets the minimum requirements.
  • "Unacceptable": Quote does not clearly meet the minimum requirements.
• Technical Acceptability: A quote is determined technically acceptable if it meets the requirements outlined in Attachment 1 - Salient Characteristics.

This document is crucial for bidders as it defines the criteria upon which their proposals will be evaluated. Understanding these factors, particularly the weight given to price versus technical acceptability and the specific requirements for the technical submission, is essential for preparing a competitive quote.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This memorandum outlines the salient characteristics required for KC-46 Exhaust Plugs, requested by the 97th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron for maintaining KC-46 aircraft.

• Part Number (P/N): LMC18M87 Thrust Reverser Plug Set - PW4000.
• Function: Safeguard engines from Foreign Object Debris (FOD), moisture intrusion, wildlife nesting, and environmental contamination.
• Benefits: Ensure compliance with technical data, prevent premature component degradation, and reduce maintenance costs and downtime.
• Configuration: Must be a two-piece set, as confirmed by the provided SERD labeled LMC18M87.
• Compliance: Must meet OEM specifications.

This document specifies the technical requirements and part number for exhaust plugs needed for the KC-46 aircraft. Bidders responding to related solicitations should ensure their offerings meet these exact specifications and part number.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 2 - Clauses and Provisions," lists clauses and provisions incorporated by reference into a solicitation (Document Number FA441926Q0015). It serves as a reference for bidders to understand the contractual terms and conditions that will apply to any resulting contract.

• Clauses Incorporated by Reference: A table lists numerous FAR and DFARS clauses with their clause numbers, alteration/deviation numbers, titles, year/month of issue, and section.
• Clauses in Full Text: Provides the full text for specific clauses, including DFARS 252.204-7017 (Prohibition on the Acquisition of Covered Defense Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation) and DFARS 252.232-7006 (Wide Area WorkFlow Payment Instructions).
• Evaluation Factors: Clause 52.212-2 outlines the evaluation factors for commercial products and services, stating that the award will be made to the responsible offeror whose offer is most advantageous to the Government, considering price and other factors. The listed factors are Price and Technical Acceptability.

Bidders must review all listed clauses and provisions to understand their obligations and requirements. Particular attention should be paid to the full text clauses, especially those related to telecommunications equipment prohibitions and payment instructions via Wide Area WorkFlow (WAWF). The evaluation factors indicate that both price and technical acceptability will be considered in the award decision.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an addendum to FAR 52.212-1, providing specific instructions for offerors on how to submit their price and technical proposals.

• Price Submission: Must be completed on page 3 of the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation.
• Technical Submission: Must be a separate document, clear, concise, and detailed enough to substantiate claims and demonstrate how the offer meets solicitation requirements. General statements or rephrasing of salient characteristics are not sufficient. Offerors must provide convincing rationale and assume the Government has no prior knowledge of their experience.
• Submission Method: All documents are to be submitted electronically via email to daric.giles@us.af.mil and 97CONF.PKA.Contracting@us.af.mil.
• Unit Prices: Offerors will input unit prices for items pertaining to each CLIN.

This addendum provides critical instructions for proposal preparation and submission. Bidders must adhere to these specific requirements for both price and technical components to ensure their offer is considered for evaluation. Failure to follow these instructions, particularly regarding the format and content of the technical submission and the method of electronic submission, could impact the evaluation of their offer.