Back Automatic (BA-X) Bailout Parachute Program

This is a pre-solicitation synopsis. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Human Systems Division, AFLCMC/WNUK, intends to award a contract on a sole source basis to Butler Parachute Systems, Inc. (Butler) for the Back Automatic (BA-X) bailout parachute program. The Government issued a Sources Sought Synopsis on 15 November 2017, WNUK-18-002, and received responses from four sources; all four were U.S.-owned. Butler is the only company with the FAA Certification necessary to accomplish the BA-X bailout prarchute program objectives and meet the Government's minimum requirements. The Government intends to award the effort pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, Justification: Supplies required are available from only one or a limited number of responsible source and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. This is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation is available. All interested sources must respond in writing with clear and convincing evidence to support their ability to provide timely and effective services within seventeen (17) days of this publication. A determination by the Government not to compete this action based on responses received is solely within the discretion of the Government. For possible subcontracting opportunities, interested parties may submit appropriate information to Mr. Roberto Montanez at roberto@butlerparachutes.com. The National American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement action is 314999. Please indicate number of employees relative to the size standard of 500 for determination of small business status. Responders shall include their assigned DUNS number and their Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code. The point of contact for this action is AFLCMC/WNUK, 1981 Monohan Way, Building 12, Wright Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7101, Attn: Jordan Poling, phone: (937) 938-3813 or email: jordan.poling@us.af.mil. The Contracting Officer is Ms. Abby Hoefler, phone: (937) 938-3727 or email: abby.hoefler@us.af.mil. Col Peter Sandness, AFLCMC/AQ, phone: (937) 255-5512 or email: peter.sandness@us.af.mil, has been appointed as Ombudsman to hear concerns from offerors, or potential offerors, during the proposal development. The purpose of the Ombudsman is to communicate contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate government personnel. Existence of the Ombudsman does not diminish the authority of the program director or the contracting officer. Accordingly, the Ombudsman does not participate in the preparation of solicitations, the evaluation of proposals or the source selection process and, therefore, for routine matters on individual solicitations, please contact the buyer at the telephone number listed herein. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern.