14 -- Exercise Option of 150 MK-58 MOD 4 RIM-7P Sparrow Missile RMs for USN, thermal cycle & x-ray of two Lot Acceptance Test units for each of the two production lots, & procure propellant sample packaging

The Naval Air Systems Command plans to negotiate and award a sole source, firm fixed-price modification to an existing contract with Alliant Techsystems, Inc., located in Rocket Center, West Virginia. The contract involves the procurement of 150 Sparrow RIM-7P MK58 MOD 4 Rocket Motors for use by the United States Navy. In addition to the rocket motors themselves, the contract includes the procurement of thermal cycle testing and x-ray inspection for two production lots of MK 58 Sparrow Rocket Motors. Propellant samples will also be procured to facilitate aging tests for these motors, covering both U.S. Navy and Foreign Military Sales customers. Alliant Techsystems, Inc. is the sole manufacturer of the Sparrow AIM-7P/RIM-7P MK58 MOD 4 Rocket Motors and is uniquely qualified with the necessary technical and engineering capabilities to meet the contract requirements within the required timeframe. This procurement is being made as a sole source award due to this exclusive manufacturing capability. The contract modification underscores the importance of ensuring rigorous quality assurance measures such as thermal cycling and x-ray testing, as well as propellant aging analysis, to maintain and verify the reliability and performance of the missile rocket motors.