RQ-4B (Global Hawk) Sustainment Repair Support
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 is proceeding with a modification for RQ-4B (Global Hawk) Sustainment Repair Support. This action provides for final negotiations and pricing for two 12-month option periods (Option 5 CY26; Option 6 CY27) and a remaining 6-month extension. This is a sole-source action justified under 10 USC 3204(a)(1), with Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems (NGAS) identified as the only responsible source.
Scope of Work
This modification covers essential repair and sustainment services for common items across both RQ-4B Global Hawk (GH) and Navy MQ-4C Triton systems. Key services include:
- Repair and sustainment for common items.
- Support engineering services, including Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) projects.
- Potential inclusion of new National Stock Numbers (NSNs) for the Air Vehicle, sensor packages, Mission Control Element, Launch & Recovery Element, and associated support equipment.
- Support for future GH systems, including the MS-177 Sensor and Weather Radar.
- Potential support for Navy MQ-4 Triton and Foreign Military Sales Cooperative Logistics Supply Support Agreement (CLSSA) requirements.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Requirements-type contract, including Fixed-Price Incentive Fee (FPIF) (Firm Target), Firm Fixed Price (FFP), Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), and Cost Reimbursable No Fee (CRNF) CLINs.
- Duration: Projected 01 July 2021 - 31 December 2028, including a one-year basic period, six one-year options, and an optional six-month extension.
- Set-Aside: Not set-aside; justified for Other Than Full and Open Competition.
- Authority: 6.302-1 – 10 USC 3204(a)(1), Only One Responsible Source.
- Published: February 3, 2026
Justification
The sole-source procurement is based on NGAS's unique position as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and the government's lack of technical data rights for full and open competition. A reverse engineering effort is deemed high-risk and cost-prohibitive, with costs unlikely to be recouped before the GH fleet's retirement in FY2050.
Additional Notes
The government plans to continue engaging with the OEM and sub-vendors annually to explore options for acquiring data rights.