Materials Compatibility Test and Evaluation Services in support of Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI) and Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) programs

The Federal Aviation Administration is seeking qualified companies to provide materials compatibility laboratory test and evaluation services in support of the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative and Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions programs, under solicitation 697DCK-26-R-00186. The work involves conducting comprehensive testing of unleaded candidate fuels against metallic and non-metallic materials, distribution hoses, linings, filters, and other components, following the PAFI Materials Test Matrix and specified technical protocols such as PAFI MTP-002 and RTP series standards. The contract requires full compliance with hazardous material shipping regulations, proper fuel storage in FAA-approved containers, and submission of draft and final reports in Microsoft Office formats within strict timelines: drafts within 30 days of testing completion and final reports within 20 days of receiving FAA feedback. The acquisition is for a thirty-six-month period, from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2028, with performance restricted to Continental United States locations unless pre-approved by the Contracting Officer. All testing must be performed in compliance with Federal safety practices, and the Contractor is fully liable for damages resulting from improper packaging or handling. The solicitation specifies a hybrid contract structure with Firm Fixed Price for non-severable testing services and Labor Hours for severable research tasks, with pricing proposed per CLINs outlined in the attached Pricing Template. Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management with a valid Unique Entity Identifier and must comply with extensive representations and certifications regarding tax liabilities, criminal history, and telecommunications equipment restrictions. Proposals must satisfy critical pass/fail gates: demonstrating at least three relevant projects within five years, providing two satisfactory customer satisfaction surveys, and fully pricing every CLIN. The award will follow the Lowest Priced, Technically Acceptable methodology with only one contract awarded. Proposals are evaluated for technical acceptability and price, with failure to meet any key requirement resulting in rejection. The Contracting Officer, Richard Palsgrove, oversees the contract, while the Contracting Officer’s Representative provides technical direction. Invoicing must be submitted via email and the Delphi e-Invoicing portal, with each invoice including cumulative expenditures, remaining funding, and copies to both the CO and COR. Key personnel including a Project Lead and Senior Researcher must be identified, and no substitutions are permitted without prior written approval. The Solicitation incorporates by reference numerous FAA-specific clauses covering organizational conflicts of interest, illegal activity adjustments