KC-135 Ruddevator Retention Sleeve

SYNOPSIS: This is a Request for Information (RFI) for market research purposes issued by the C/KC-135 Contracting Branch, OC-ALC/GKCK at Tinker Air Force Base (TAFB). The United States Air Force (USAF) is seeking information from domestic manufacturers regarding cost schedule and performance parameters required to produce a ruddevator retention sleeve in accordance with Government drawings that have been provided. PURPOSE: The purpose of this RFI is to seek information from domestic manufacturers capable of fabricating and assembling a ruddevator retention sleeve in accordance with the provided Government drawings. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY: This RFI is issued solely for informational and planning purposes. It does not constitute a solicitation (Request for Proposal or Request for Quotations) or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. As stipulated in FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not considered offers, shall not be used as a proposal, and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Furthermore, we are not seeking proposals at this time. Responders are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party's expense. The Government requests that non-proprietary information be submitted in response to this RFI. However, should proprietary information be submitted, it should be marked "PROPRIETARY", and will be handled accordingly. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. Proprietary information or trade secrets should be clearly identified. BACKGROUND / ISSUES: The Air Force has detected several instances of boom ruddevator bearing retention failure in its KC-135 aircraft. Several incidences of these failures have been reported, with one such incident resulting in the loss of a ruddevator in flight. It has also been discovered that mechanical swaging of these bearings as specified on the original manufactured drawings is not possible at the depot or in the field without removing support fitting from the boom. Additionally, many of the ruddevator fittings have widespread gouges and indentations on the bearing lugs which have been caused by removal of the ruddevator bearing in the inspection of the lugs and replacement of the bearings. As a solution to these identifiable issues, the Government has designed a sleeve to be installed in the ruddevator as a means of retaining the bearings. Government-developed drawings for the sleeve are attached and are made a part of this RFI. OVERVIEW OF OBJECTIVES: The Government intends to procure up to 1,250 ruddevator retention sleeves. The contractor would be required to fabricate and assemble the sleeve in accordance with the Government-developed drawings. Contracting Office Address: OC-ALC/GKCK 3001 Staff Dr. STE 2AE1 86A Tinker AFB OK 73145-3020 Place of Performance: Tinker Air Force Base Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73145 United States Primary Point of Contact: Mark A. Davidson Contract Negotiator KC-135 Contracting Branch OC-ALC/GKCK Email: Mark.davidson@tinker.af.mil Phone: 405-739-2572 /DSN 339-2572