• Remanufacture – T-38 Aircraft Gearbox Assemblies

Sources Sought Synopsis

This document is a Sources Sought Synopsis, issued for market research purposes in accordance with FAR 5.201. It is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Quote (RFQ). The government is seeking to determine if responsible sources exist for the remanufacture of T-38 Aircraft Gearbox Assemblies (NSN: 1680-01-440-5106) and to assess if the effort can be competitively bid, potentially as a Small Business Set-Aside. The government is interested in responses from all small business categories, including 8(a), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, HUBZone, and Women-Owned small businesses.

• Item: Remanufacture of T-38 Aircraft Gearbox Assemblies (Part Number 14-51100-501).

• These assemblies are Critical Safety Items (CSI) within the T-38 aircraft Secondary Power Systems.

• Required experience includes manufacturing, testing, and design of aircraft secondary power systems, as well as possessing test capabilities (stands, equipment) and airworthiness certification experience.

• The design of this hardware is complex, requiring the highest engineering standards.

• The government is unable to provide parts; contractors must establish their own supply chain for all sub-components and parts, which must be obtained from government-approved sources.

• NAICS Code: 336413 (Aircraft Manufacturing) with a Size Standard of 1250 employees.

• Estimated Contract Period: 2 years.

• Estimated Contract Award Date: June 2026.

• Services or Supplies: Remanufacture (considered a supply).

• Destination: Hill AFB.

• Options: Includes CLINs for remanufacture, Beyond Economic Repair (BER), and recurring CDRLs under Option 1 and Option 2.

• This is a Request for Information ONLY. Responses are not offers and will not be used as a proposal.

• Interested parties must respond if applicable and identify their small business status to the identified NAICS code.

• Respondents should provide anticipated teaming arrangements, a description of similar services offered to the Government and commercial customers in the past three years.

• Specific information requested includes:

  • Previous experience with similar services (Government or commercial).
  • Company name, CAGE code, and DUNS number.
  • Whether the respondent will be the prime or sub-contractor.
  • Point of contact details.
  • Capacity of repairs per year.
  • Suggestions for other NAICS codes.
  • Small business status and category (8a, HUBZone, etc.).
  • Whether services will be provided directly or via subcontract.
  • Any concerns with the requirement or proposed service delivery.
  • How parts needed for repair will be obtained.

• Closing Response Date: As documented on SAM.gov.

• Restricted to Qualified Sources: FAR Part 52.209-1 applies. Vendors must be qualified prior to award.

• Interested vendors not previously approved must submit a Source Approval Request (SAR) package.

• The government is interested in all small businesses (8(a), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, HUBZone, Women-Owned).

• Restriction on Foreign Participation: Yes.

• The document references an attached Repair Qualification Requirements (RQR).

• Contact Points: Cameron Swain (Program Engineer), Angel McKenzie (Contracting Specialist), Ben Davies (Contracting Officer).

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document outlines the "Repair Qualification Requirements" for the Aircraft Gearbox Assembly (NSN: 1680-01-440-5106, 1680-00-139-8020, 1680-00-739-8339; P/N: 14-51100-503, 14-51100-3, 3-51100-5) used in T-38/F-5 aircraft. It details the mandatory requirements for potential sources to become qualified to repair this item.

• Prequalification Notice: Offerors must notify the government of their intent to qualify.

• Facilities, Testing, and Inspection Capabilities: Offerors must certify they have or can access the necessary facilities and equipment for repair, inspection, testing, packaging, and storage. Government inspection is required.

• Data Verification: Offerors must possess a complete data package for repair, including specific Northrop Grumman drawings and Technical Orders (T.O.s).

• Repair Process Verification: The repair must conform to ESA-approved engineering/technical data, including Unique Identification (UID) requirements. Offerors must provide data showing quality, performance, and environmental evaluation results, identify material sources and internal process standards, and present a management process for Critical Safety Items (CSIs).

• Test and Evaluation/Verification: Offerors must, at their own expense, prepare and submit a qualification test plan/procedure for approval. Upon approval, the government will provide a loaner gearbox for correlation testing. A complete test report is required for review and approval before contract award. The government may inspect testing processes.

• Qualification Article Verification: After meeting initial requirements, offerors will be provided a non-serviceable gearbox for repair capability demonstration. This repaired article must be disassembled, cleaned, inspected, repaired/replaced, reassembled, and tested according to the latest T.O. 16G1-102-3 revision. The article and documentation will be evaluated for form, fit, and function. Notification of qualification status will be provided within 60 days of submitting the product for testing.

• Qualification Requirement Cost Estimate: Likely costs for testing and evaluation are estimated at $5400, including shipping and government facility testing. Qualification testing will likely be performed at the offeror's facility.

• Qualification Time Completion Estimate: Engineering support activity estimates 365 days for completion of the qualification effort.

• Eligibility: Offerors must be fully qualified to be eligible for contract award. Qualification must be met before the contract award date. The award will not be delayed for vendors to demonstrate qualification.

• Evaluation of Proposals Not Previously Qualified: Offerors must fulfill all stated qualification requirements in writing before the award date. Upon meeting requirements, the offeror will be listed as an approved repair source, but this does not guarantee contract award.

• Source Qualification Waiver Requirements: Specific criteria (QWC1-QWC6) are outlined for potential waiver of some qualification requirements. These include prior supply to government/OEM, qualification of subassemblies, earlier dash numbers, similar items, or previously qualified items under specific conditions.

• Successful completion of qualification testing for PN 14-51100-503 will also qualify the offeror for PN 14-51100-3 and 3-51100-5.

• A post-contract award first article exhibit may be required to verify production capability if a waiver is granted.