Heavy-Lift Load Limiting Device for 10,000lb 3G Mid-Air Retrieval (MAR)

NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center (NASA/AFRC) has a requirement for a Heavy-Lift Mid-Air Retrieval Feasibility follow on study to design, build, and test a textile load-limiting device (LLD). NASA/AFRC intends to solicit and award a Purchase Order to Airborne Systems North America of CA Inc. located at 3701 W. Warner Ave Santa Ana, CA 92704-5218. This requirement will be procured pursuant to FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), acquisition of supplies or services determined to be reasonably available from only one source and the acquisition of commercial items in accordance with FAR Part 12. This acquisition is a continuation of the study that was performed by Airborne Systems under Purchase Order NND16AA45P. Airborne Systems is the only source with the technical capability to perform this particular study. Additionally the "3GMAR" or "3rd Generation Mid Air Recovery" is a determinants factor for the success of this study and Airborne Systems has the exclusive rights. Award to any other company would result in substantial duplication of cost and unacceptable schedule delays to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time on September 24, 2017. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit a response which shall be considered by the agency. Submittals should be made via email to nydia.e.wilkinson@nasa.gov. NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at https://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/pub_library/Omb.html. The NAICS Code and Size Standard are 541330 and $50 million respectively.