10 -- AIRBORNE LASER (ABL) INFRASTRUCTURE SUSTAINMENT PROGRAM

The Missile Defense Agency's Airborne Laser Program Office, based at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, is preparing to procure critical components for the Airborne Laser (ABL) Infrastructure Sustainment Program under solicitation F33657-03-R-2015. This contract aims to sustain and support the infrastructure essential to the ABL system. The government plans to award this contract through a sole-source process, as authorized by FAR 6.302, anticipating that the only responsible and capable source is the team that previously managed the beam control subsystem during earlier development and risk reduction phases. While the intent is to engage a single source with proven expertise and prior involvement, the government remains open to hearing from other interested parties who believe they have the capability to meet the requirements. The contracting officer overseeing this acquisition is Mel G. Pearson, located at Kirtland AFB, who can be contacted for further information. The presolicitation was posted in early March 2003, and although the competitive set-aside status and NAICS code were not specified, this acquisition falls under the Department of Defense with a focus on sustaining advanced airborne laser technology infrastructure.