Intent to Sole Source - Parachute Packer Support

The U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command at Fort Knox intends to award a sole-source, firm-fixed-price contract to Packing With Liz of Kempner, TX, for FAA Certified Parachute Packing services in support of the U.S. Army Parachute Team. This contract will provide essential rigger support for both Tandem and Competition Teams, ensuring state-of-the-art ram-air parachutes are packed to exacting standards under demanding conditions, including short notice requirements and frequent schedule changes. Services will be performed at multiple locations across the continental United States, with primary operations centered in Laurinburg, NC, and Homestead ARB, FL, requiring significant travel and 24-hour responsiveness to sustain the team’s national public affairs and recruiting missions. The contract includes a base year with four one-year option periods, set to begin around June 1, 2026. Market research confirms that Packing With Liz is the only qualified source capable of meeting the stringent technical, experience, and logistical demands of this requirement. The contractor must hold FAA Senior or Master Parachute Rigger certification and possess proven expertise with military-grade tandem and ram-air systems, along with the capacity to manage a high-volume, high-tempo packing schedule while maintaining flexibility for nationwide deployment. These specialized qualifications, combined with the need for immediate availability and operational adaptability, severely limit potential sources, justifying the sole-source determination. The contract is designated as a total small business set-aside under NAICS code 314999, and inquiries should be directed to Madison Bennett or Barbara J. Jeffries at the Fort Knox contracting office.