Fatigue Improvement of the Nose Landing Gear Downlock Attachment Area

The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) intends to award a Sole Source Delivery Order with The Boeing Company, 6200 JS McDonnell Blvd., St. Louis, MO, for an Engineering Change Proposal (ECP), to provide for the fatigue improvement of the Nose Landing Gear (NLG) Downlock Attachment area of the NLG abutment structure, develop a Technical Directive for the incorporation of the designed improvement, and all modification drawings and drawing changes necessary to support the ECP implementation. Boeing ECP 331 has been established to replace the Frame 11 on the AV-8B aircraft and the Frame 11 with abutment fitting for the TAV-8B aircraft. The next critical area of the NLG Abutment Structure has been determined to be the NLG Downlock Attachment to the drag beams. A fatigue life tracking algorithm was developed for the Downlock. Boeing previously designed / analyzed a fatigue improvement to this critical area. A question arose about being able to install the proposed solution while the assembly is installed. Using a scrapped fuselage to review the accessibility determined that the proposed improvement could not be installed on the NLG Abutment Structure while installed in the fuselage. However, since ECP-331 will remove the NLG Abutment structure from all affected aircraft, the area can be modified while on the alignment fixture. This ECP will be installed concurrent with ECP-331. THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. This acquisition is being pursued on a sole source basis under the statutory authority of Title 10, U.S.C. Section 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." A determination by the Government not to compete this effort is solely within the discretion of the Government. This effort entails the design, development, testing and production of modification kit components for a fleet of over 125 Vertical/Short Take-off and Landing fighter-attack aircraft. The U.S. Government does not own the rights to, or possess the level three drawing package required to effect the development of this Engineering Change Proposal for the installation of this modification. The Harrier was originally developed by Hawker-Siddeley of the United Kingdom (now BAES) which has declined to sell/release legacy proprietary design data to the US Government. The AV-8B is a further joint development of the Harrier accomplished in partnership with McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing), which is built upon significant elements of the original Hawker-Siddeley design. Therefore, the Government is unable to obtain or provide a sufficient data package to enable third party accomplishment of this effort. Information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for or award a contract, or to be responsible for any monies expended by any interested parties before award of a contract for the effort described above. The Point of Contact (POC) for this synopsis is Vicki Dean, Contract Specialist, (301) 757-1263, E-mail: vicki.dean@navy.mil For subcontracting opportunities, please contact Ms. Laura Wollenberg at Boeing (314) 232-8123.