This Sources Sought opportunity from Department Of Defense was posted on July 9, 2026. The submission period has ended. Browse the details below for market research, or find similar active opportunities.
F-35B STOVL Clutch Cooling System Cleaning Service and Equipment Capability
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
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AI Contract Overview
The U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, through the F-35 Joint Program Office, is seeking industry capabilities to provide an on-site cleaning solution for the F-35B STOVL LiftFan clutch cooling system, which accumulates a hazardous mixture of carbon fiber dust and synthetic oil known as clutch sludge. The required system must be a Commercial Off-the-Shelf solution modified to safely and effectively remove this contamination from the aircraft’s exhaust ductwork and vent screens without damaging sensitive components. The cleaning process must precisely control water temperature, pressure, and quality, while also capturing and recovering all effluent for environmental compliance. The hardware must interface directly with the F-35B’s unique clutch components and be fully deployable to multiple U.S. Marine Corps air stations, with operational readiness for immediate on-aircraft evaluation under the technical oversight of the F-35 JPO Propulsion LST In-Service Engineering team. Interested vendors must demonstrate existing systems or services that meet all specified technical requirements, including deployability, effluent management, and hardware compatibility, and clearly indicate whether their offering is commercial, modified-commercial, or non-commercial. Respondents must identify their role as OEM, authorized service provider, or distributor and provide documentation of authorization if applicable. Administrative details including company name, CAGE code, business type, and point of contact are required, and responses must be submitted within seven business days via email to the designated government POC. This request is a Sources Sought notice under FAR 15.201(e), not a solicitation, and responses are strictly for government planning purposes with no expectation of contract formation or reimbursement for prep costs. Proprietary information must not be disclosed without prior coordination with the government.
General Info
Agency
NAICS
Place of Performance
NJSet-Aside
Documents
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Timeline
Submission Closed
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
Summary
Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) has a requirement to provide all necessary equipment, parts, and services to perform onsite cleaning and removal of contamination from the F-35B Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) LiftFan clutch cooling system. The F-35 Joint Program Office Propulsion Support Equipment Sustainment Manager is taking priority action to secure expeditious support to perform F-35 clutch cooling system process and equipment capability trials conjointly with F-35 JPO Propulsion LST In-Service Engineering.
Background
The F-35B STOVL variant utilizes a clutch cooling system to manage heat and debris generated during clutch engagement. A mixture of carbon fiber dust and synthetic oil ("clutch sludge") accumulates within the clutch cooling exhaust ductwork and vent panel screens. This RFI seeks to identify qualified industry sources capable of meeting the below specifications and salient characteristics.
Contractor Services & Equipment
The contractor shall be contracted by the USG to perform onsite services using their Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) cleaning system solution. This system must be modified to support initial JPO Engineering F-35B clutch cooling duct & vent cleaning equipment and process evaluations.
Oversight
Technical oversight authority of the testing and evaluation processes fall under the auspices of F-35 JPO Propulsion LST In-Service Engineering.
Salient Characteristics / Specifications
The cleaning system and associated services must provide a comprehensive solution to remove clutch sludge contamination. Capabilities must meet the following specifications:
• System Function: A deployable, on-site cleaning solution designed to remove hardened “clutch sludge” from the interior of the F-35B clutch cooling exhaust ductwork and vent/screen holes.
• Cleaning Process: Control water temperature, pressure, and quality to clean without damaging aircraft components.
• Effluent Management: Capture and recover all effluent water and removed contaminants for environmental compliance.
• Hardware Interface: Include an apparatus that can be safely mated to the F-35B aircraft’s unique clutch hardware.
• Deployability: Fully deployable to support on-site cleaning operations at various USMC air stations.
• Operational Readiness: A fully developed capability ready for on-aircraft evaluation and deployment.
Requested Information from Interested Companies
Interested parties are requested to provide information structured into the following two sections:
Administrative Information
• Company name, CAGE code, mailing address, phone number, and name/e-mail of the designated point of contact.
• Business type (e.g., large business, small business, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, non-traditional defense contractor, etc.).
Capability Information
• Respond with existing capabilities, services, or products that meet all Salient Characteristics
• Include product specifications and a description of the cleaning methodology.
• Identify capability commerciality (commercial, modified-commercial, or non-commercial).
• Identify if you are the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), an authorized service provider, or an authorized distributor. (Provide proof of authorization if applicable).
Government Disclaimer
THIS IS AN RFI/SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. The Government is seeking industry input to assist in identifying capabilities that fully meet the requirements described above. The Government will not be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties responding to this notice. This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. No proprietary information should be submitted without first reaching out to the Government POC.
How to Respond
Interested parties shall respond within 7 business days after the release of this RFI/Sources Sought notice. Please submit your response, not to exceed 5 pages, via e-mail to lauren.a.clemmens.civ@us.navy.mil.
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