28 -- Overhaul & Upgrade for two PA-18 Engines, Sole Source Notification

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's Wildlife Services program plans to issue a sole source purchase order to Ly-Con, a Visalia, California-based aircraft engine overhaul facility, for the overhaul and upgrade of two Piper PA-18 aircraft engines. This procurement is justified under FAR 6.302 because Ly-Con is uniquely certified by both the Federal Aviation Administration and the engine manufacturer, Lycoming, to perform such upgrades. The Piper PA-18 aircraft requires engines that conform to FAA Type Certificate approval, specifically the Lycoming O-320 150/160 horsepower model, which Ly-Con is authorized to service. This acquisition is a simplified purchase with an estimated cost under $33,000 and no formal solicitation will be issued, as the notification serves purely as informational. It underscores the importance of using a certified facility compliant with both regulatory and manufacturer standards to maintain safety and aircraft performance within the Wildlife Services Aviation Program. The sole source approach reflects the specialized nature of this service and the absence of alternative qualified entities in the U.S. to perform this upgrade on the aircraft engines.