Honeywell Software Engineering Support

Honeywell International Inc. is the contractor for the C-5M Honeywell Software and Engineering Support (HSES) contract, identified by solicitation number FA852526DB001, awarded under a sole-source justification despite the contractor being Honeywell, with the justification references pointing to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics as the only responsible source due to proprietary systems and technical data unique to the C-5M program. The contract, structured as a Firm Fixed Price Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) agreement under FAR 16.504(c)(1)(ii)(B)(1), was posted on May 8, 2026, with an effective start date of January 31, 2026, and a potential performance period extending through January 30, 2032, inclusive of five one-year option periods. The primary place of performance is Phoenix, Arizona, though substantial work occurs at government facilities including Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, the Software Integration Laboratory, weapons system trainers, and operational aircraft locations. The contract requires comprehensive hardware and software support, including deficiency report investigation and resolution, reverse engineering and prototyping, qualification testing, and mitigation of diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages. The C-5M Operational Flight Program (OFP) development, software integration, and system-level testing are central to the task order execution, with all deliverables required to maintain interoperability and mission readiness across all platforms. The contracting office is AFLCMC/WLSK, with Contracting Officer Maria George and primary point of contact Captain Trace Carello managing administrative and technical oversight respectively, both located at Robins AFB, Georgia. The contract includes an option to extend individual task orders by up to six months under FAR 52.217-8, and incorporates critical data rights provisions under DFARS 252.227-7015 and DFARS 252.222-7013, reflecting reliance on specially negotiated license agreements for access to proprietary software and technical data. No line-item pricing or total contract value is disclosed, and although the contract is classified as a commercial services acquisition under FAR 2.101, the government remains dependent on the original equipment manufacturer’s tools and systems for acceptance testing due to restricted technical data rights, limiting full organic government verification capabilities. No formal packaging, marking, or preservation requirements are specified, as the work is service-based