A-10 In Theater Depot Maintenance Contract

SCOPE This purpose of this notice is to identify interested sources to provide in-theater depot maintenance services to support United States Air Force A/OA-10 aircraft stationed at Osan Air Base, Republic of South Korea. THIS IS NOT A FORMAL REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. This notice is for planning purposes only and DOES NOT COMMIT the U.S. Government to provide compensation for information requested nor does it commit the U.S. Government to issue a solicitation or award a contract. This notice does not provide any direction nor does it change any contractual obligations to sources currently under contract with the U.S. Government. BACKGROUND The A/OA-10 Thunderbolt II, commonly known as the Warthog, is a highly maneuverable, low-altitude, close air support aircraft built around a 30mm seven-barrel Gatling gun and powered by two General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofans. The aircraft is designed for combat survivability and can employ a variety of free-fall and precision guided munitions as well as a full compliment of self-protection chaff and flares. The first production Fairchild Republic A-10A was delivered to the United States Air Force (USAF) in October 1975 and achieved Initial Operating Capability in 1977. In 2006, the USAF began modifying A-10A aircraft with the Precision Engagement (PE) modification which adds upgraded cockpit displays, digital stores management, advanced targeting pod integration, and other improvements. Precision engagement modified aircraft are designated as the A-10C. The A-10C has surpassed its original design life but has been tasked to remain in service with the USAF until at least 2028. However, as result of the 30+ years of operational service, the aircraft is yielding to the effects of fatigue and corrosion. To extend the life of the aircraft, the USAF has implemented depot-level maintenance inspection/repair programs for the wing, fuselage, nacelle, and other fatigue-critical components. These inspection/repair programs are designated as the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) and Scheduled Structure Inspection (SSI). SLEP is a once-per aircraft procedure that began in Fiscal Year 2002 (FY02) and is scheduled to be completed on all aircraft by Fiscal Year 2013 (FY13). Once an aircraft has undergone SLEP, an SSI will be accomplished every 2000 flying hours or 1600 landings, or 8 years (whichever comes first) until the end of its service life. Since 1993, the United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) has operated a squadron of approximately 27 A/OA-10 aircraft. These aircraft are operated, maintained, and employed by the 51st Fighter Wing, Osan Air Base, Republic of South Korea. To reduce the costs and issues associated with ferrying aircraft from Osan AB to the Continental United States for depot level maintenance, PACAF requested the establishment of a contractor depot facility within the Korean theater. In 2001, the A/OA-10 System Program Office (SPO) awarded a contract through fair and open competition to establish an in-theater depot facility to support PACAF A-10 aircraft. The period of performance on the existing depot-services contract is nearing conclusion. As required by U.S. Federal Acquisition Regulations, the A/OA-10 SPO is pursuing a follow-on competition to select a contractor to perform the requested in-theater depot services beginning in FY10. CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS The A/OA-10 System Program Office is seeking interested sources to provide in-theater depot maintenance support for the 27 PACAF A/OA-10 aircraft. Depot-level maintenance is defined as that materiel maintenance requiring major overhaul or a complete rebuilding of parts, assemblies, subassemblies, and end items, including the manufacture of parts, modifications, testing, and reclamation as required. Depot maintenance serves to support lower categories of maintenance by providing technical assistance and performing that maintenance beyond the responsibility or capability of lower levels of maintenance. The following work activities are to be accomplished: 1. A-10 ground support operations for receiving/delivery of aircraft to depot facility 2. Installation of Precision Engagement avionics/electrical aircraft modification package 3. SSI aircraft inspection, repair, and structural modification procedures 4. Aircraft Paint and Plastic Media Blast 5. Non-Destructive Inspections (NDI) 6. Accomplishment of battle/crash damage repair on a negotiated drop-in basis 7. Deployment of Contract Field Teams to aircraft field locations to accomplish depot-level tasks and provide on-site technical support 8. Installation of future aircraft modifications as required In order to be considered as a candidate for selection, interested sources must be able to meet the following requirements: 1. Prior experience with aircraft major overhaul and repair 2. Knowledge of and proficiency with USAF Technical Order and Time Compliant Technical Order system and requirements 3. Supply all facilities, equipment, and manpower necessary to accomplish all work activities. Note: Some equipment specific to the A/OA-10 may be available to the contractor as U.S. Government Furnished Equipment. Facility must be located within the Korean theater and be capable of receiving and supporting A-10 flight operations. 4. Access to a skilled and qualified work force 5. In-house manufacturing capability for basic aircraft components including manufacturing engineering support The U.S Government intends to make a single award to a technically responsive source with a 5-year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity type contract. The estimated workload is 3-6 aircraft inductions per fiscal year for SSI plus occasional drop-in maintenance and CFT deployments as necessary. Installation of the Precision Engagement modification for all 27 aircraft is forecasted to be accomplished over the first two years of the contract period (FY10-11). INSRUCTIONS FOR INTERESTED SOURCES This Sources Sought synopsis is an invitation for all qualified sources for this requirement to identify themselves to the U.S. government as a potential offeror. All interested sources should submit a response to the U.S. Government Contracting Officer listed below. Please include a statement of interest and a brief company profile highlighting relevant experience and qualifications relating to the capability to accomplish the specified work requirements. Please also note any prior experience with U.S. Government contracts. Please limit responses to no more than 10 pages. Any information provided to the U.S. government in response to this synopsis is for planning purposes only and will not be used as a selection consideration factor in this or any other U.S. Government contract competition. Should the U.S. Government elect to pursue the subject requirement, an official Request for Proposal will be released at a later date. Please direct all questions related to this synopsis to the U.S. Government points of contact.