ARTEMIS Capability Upgrade Program

Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) intends to solicit and negotiate with one source under the statutory authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The proposed modification will support spares procurement and software sustainment of aircraft that have been upgraded from the F-5N/F configuration to the F-5N+/F+ configuration via the Cockpit Display Upgrade Program (hereafter referred to as the Block Upgrade). The contract scope is for the procurement of Block Upgrade spare kits, as well as software sustainment support for aircraft in the F-5N+/F+ Block Upgrade configuration. Up to sixty-two (62) aircraft are planned to be upgraded to the F-5N+/F+ configuration consisting of twenty-two (22) Avionics Reconfiguration and Tactical Enhancement/Modernization for Inventory Standardization (ARTEMIS) aircraft and forty (40) legacy aircraft retrofits. Tactical Air had previously developed a very similar upgrade for their privately owned F-5AT aircraft, which formed the basis of what became the F-5 Block Upgrade System. Tactical Air has since completed the Non-recurring Engineering (NRE) and the Technical Data Package (TDP) to support the F-5 Block Upgrade system configuration. In order for a source other than Tactical Air to support spares procurement and software sustainment of the F-5N+/F+ aircraft, it would need the technical data for system components, as well as the integration/installation data package. Since Tactical Air developed much of the Block Upgrade System at private expense as part of their F-5AT upgrade, the Government has only limited technical data rights and restricted computer software rights for integral portions of the Block Upgrade System. The types and quantities of spare parts required are forecasts based on proprietary Failure Mode, Effects, and Critically Analysis (FMECA) data developed by Tactical Air Support, Inc. in support of its F-5AT configuration delivered to the Government with Limited Rights. Substantial NRE and testing by the Government would be required to duplicate this data. Furthermore, the Block Upgrade system configuration requires continuous software support to maintain cybersecurity accreditation and software updates at an aircraft-level. The integration of this software, the required software loading procedures and the software interface requirements were delivered with Restricted Rights and Commercial License Rights from Tactical Air. All responses received within fifteen (15) days after date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Award is anticipated on or about September 2022.