F-35 JPO PRESOLICITATION NOTICE TO SOLE SOURCE: MCK

The F-35 Joint Program Office is pursuing a sole-source acquisition to procure a Mission Planning Environment (MPE) Country Kit (MCK) from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, leveraging FAR 6.103-1 due to the determination that it is the only known qualified source capable of fulfilling the requirement. The MCK is a centrally managed mission planning system designed to consolidate and replace the individual MPE Squadron Kits currently used by F-35 international partners, streamlining mission planning capabilities across the global fleet. The system will consist of baseline containerized software, servers, workstations, and Government Furnished Equipment including NSA-approved High Assurance In-line Network Encryptors. The contractor is responsible for end-to-end system design and development, architecture and hardware engineering, cybersecurity and networking interoperability, technical program management, and the development and integration of training materials. Eligibility for award is contingent upon the offeror possessing a Secret security clearance, a mandatory pass/fail requirement with no exceptions. The place of performance is Fort Worth, Texas, and the acquisition falls under NAICS code 336411 for Aircraft Manufacturing with a small business size standard of 1,500 employees. Although the solicitation number is N00019-26-RFPREQ-JSFCDS-0053 and responses are due by June 18, 2026, this is a presolicitation notice intended to gather capability statements from other potential sources to validate the sole-source determination, and no contract value, CLIN structure, or detailed delivery schedule has been released. Contract administration is managed by the Naval Air Systems Command based in Patuxent River, Maryland, with primary points of contact Jonathan Chen and Colin McCarthy handling specialist and contracting duties respectively. All information related to security requirements, including DD Form 254 details, will be provided to the awardee upon contract award.