C-130 Crashworthy Seats (CWS)- Request For Information

The Modifications Section of the C-130 System Program Office (SPO), Robins Air Force Base is conducting market research to identify potential sources that possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to manufacture CWS kits for C-130J aircraft.

The Government is anticipating a contract under NAICS Code 336413, with an estimated Request for Proposal (RFP) release in 1st Quarter Fiscal Year 2027 (1QFY27). The period of performance for the contract is estimated to be from December 2026 to December 2027.

336413 – Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing

This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) manufacturing aircraft parts or auxiliary equipment (except engines and aircraft fluid power subassemblies) and/or (2) developing and making prototypes of aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment. Auxiliary equipment includes such items as crop dusting apparatus, armament racks, inflight refueling equipment, and external fuel tanks.

Interested parties should have documented professional knowledge and experience in providing material and services supporting the C-130 aircraft.

To support the task requirements, provide required fleet support, and maintain maximum aircraft availability, it is imperative that the contractor has an extensive background in providing C-130 aircraft parts as well as the components, documentation, and support for installing them.  The contractor must formulate solutions to issues arising in the development, delivery, installation, and logistics support of C-130 CWS kits.

Performance Requirements

Offerors must demonstrate the ability to supply new fabricated parts, and all other miscellaneous parts, as necessary to manufacture and successfully install Crashworthy Seat (CWS) modification kits onto C-130J aircraft.

The Offeror must provide a total of Eighty-Six (86) C-130J Loadmaster Crashworthy Seat kits as detailed below to support aircraft delivered between FY27 thru FY29:

• Group A Kits: Fifty-One (51) each, Part Number (P/N) 201112724-10, National Stock Number (NSN) 1560K0115301B
• Group B Kits: Thirty-Five (35) each, Part Number (P/N) 201112725-30, National Stock Number (NSN) 1560K0115301A

The Offeror is responsible for materials procurement, fabrication, assembly, inspection, First Article Testing (FAT), packaging, and delivery of the CWS kits in accordance with the SOW and all referenced documents.

Engineering efforts may include identifying and correcting obsolete parts and diminishing supplier issues affecting manufacturing.  If not previously qualified as a supplier of C-130 CWS kits, offerors will support trial installation and verification installations of the CWS kits on C-130J aircraft.  Offerors must be able to provide engineering support to aid in the resolution of kit deficiencies and structural damage that may occur during production and installation of the crashworthy seat. The kit drawings and reference drawings necessary to manufacture CWS kits will be provided by the Government. Offerors must be able to produce technical order updates, to include new or updated NDI procedures, new or updated corrosion repair and prevention data, and new or updated inspection and repair procedures for the CWS.

All qualification requirements (FAT, Trial Kit Installation, Verification) must be completed in time to support an initial kit delivery date of 30 September 2027.  This timeline is necessary to ensure CWS kits are available to support the C-130J production delivery schedule.

Offerors require proven experience in providing support in the following areas for the C-130J aircraft structural configurations:

1. Aircraft Modification Support

2. Sustainment and Depot Engineering Support (T.O. 00-25-107 and AFMC Form 202 responses)

3. Logistics Engineering Support

4. Field Representation (temporary duty/off station support)

5. Technical Order Verification and Validation

6. Technical Reports

7. Technical Meetings and Reviews

8. Contractor Program Management (Program Management Reviews/Quarterly Reports)

9. Diminishing Manufacturing Sources & Material Shortages (DMSMS)

10. Drafting support for engineering drawings and Technical Order illustrations

11. International Technical Assistance Requests

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. This RFI contains a Contractor Capability Survey below, which allows you to provide your company’s capability.

2. If, after reviewing these documents, you desire to participate in the market research, you should provide documentation that supports your company’s capability in meeting these requirements. Failure to provide documentation may result in the government being unable to adequately assess your capabilities. If you lack sufficient experience in a particular area, please provide details explaining how you would overcome the lack of experience/capabilities in order to perform that portion of the requirement (i.e., teaming, subcontracting, etc.)

     a.  Identify any areas of work that your organization believes should be broken out exclusively for Small Business.

3. Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this Market Research. Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are encouraged.

4. Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to: Veronica Henderson, veronica.henderson.1us.af.mil and Brontavious Harris, brontavious.harris2us.af.mil.

Contractors/Institutions responding to this RFI – Sources Sought (market research) are placed on notice that participation in this survey may not ensure participation in future solicitations or contract awards. The Government will not reimburse participants for any expenses associated with their participation in this survey.