Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) Water Twister (WT) Mod-2 Inboard Spherical Thrust Bearings

The Naval Air Warfare Center - Aircraft Division at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, plans to award a non-competitive contract to The Timken Company in Union, South Carolina, for the procurement of five Advanced Arresting Gear Water Twister Mod-2 Inboard Spherical Thrust Bearings with part number 3890AS004918-01. This procurement supports the Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment Program and is justified under 10 USC 2304(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1 due to the unique nature of the component. The Timken Company is the sole approved original equipment manufacturer with the required source data and proprietary engineering information necessary to produce the bearing, as it is governed by a vendor item control drawing that cannot be replicated by other vendors using standard build-to-print methods. No alternative suppliers have been identified that meet the technical specifications. This presolicitation notice, issued under solicitation number N68335-26-R-0501, is not an invitation for competitive bids but serves to allow potential offerors to submit information within fifteen days of the posting date of May 14, 2026, with responses due by May 29, 2026. The government will evaluate any responses received during this period to determine whether competition is feasible, but retains full discretion to proceed without opening the requirement to other vendors. The North American Industry Classification System code for this acquisition is 332991, and it is being managed by the Department of Defense. Primary point of contact for inquiries is Joshua Panecki, with John Murtagh as secondary contact, both reachable through official Navy email and phone lines.