Notice of Intent to Award Sole Source | STAR XIII MCs
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/WLNK) intends to award a sole-source, Firm-Fixed-Price contract to BAE Systems (Austin, TX) for the manufacture and delivery of STAR XIII Mission Computers (MCs). This action supports the C-130J fleet by addressing obsolescence of legacy MCs and mitigating operational readiness risks. This is a Special Notice; responsible sources may submit capability statements for consideration. Responses are due by April 22, 2026.
Scope of Work
The requirement is for approximately 829 STAR XIII Mission Computers (NSN: 6610-01-723-6214, Part Number: 697960-13) to replace obsolete STAR VII and STAR IX MCs in the C-130J fleet.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sole Source, Firm-Fixed-Price
- Set-Aside: None (Sole Source Justification)
- Response Due: April 22, 2026 (15 calendar days from publication)
- Published: April 7, 2026
Sole Source Justification
The Air Force has determined that BAE Systems is the only known source capable of fulfilling this requirement. BAE Systems is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and possesses proprietary rights, technical data, and the sole validated production line for the STAR XIII MCs. The U.S. Government lacks the necessary technical data or intellectual property for a competitive procurement. Developing an alternative would incur an estimated 10-year delay and $325M cost, leading to critical capability gaps and C-130J grounding. A previous Sources Sought Synopsis (Notice ID: STARXIIIMC2025, Aug 18 - Oct 3, 2025) yielded no other capable responses. The statutory authority cited is 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1), as implemented by RFO 6.103-1(b).
Action Items
This notice is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation for agency consideration. Submissions must be received within fifteen (15) calendar days of the notice's publication date. Contact: Tyran Knaff (tyran.knaff@us.af.mil) or Danielle Weeks (danielle.weeks@us.af.mil).