Notice of Intent to Award Single Source - Safeboat Vessel

The 449th Air Expeditionary Group intends to award a single-source contract to SAFE Boats International, CAGE 1RSZ1, for the procurement of a customized 35-foot center console vessel to support the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron’s maritime personnel recovery missions in the challenging coastal waters of Djibouti. This action is authorized under FAR 13.106-1(b) due to the unique and mission-critical specifications of the vessel, which only SAFE Boats International can fulfill. The craft must meet exacting performance criteria including a 20-inch maximum draft, a top speed of 60 knots, and compatibility with C-17 and C-5 strategic airlift, along with integration of the L3 Harris AN/PRC-167 tactical radio system and proprietary rescue features such as an extended personnel recovery cutout and a shock-mitigating Stokes litter kit. These requirements are non-negotiable and rooted in operational necessity, with no commercially available alternative meeting both the technical and tactical demands. The procurement does not involve competition, and the government holds sole discretion to determine whether responses to this notice justify a sole-source award. Interested parties must submit a capability statement by email no later than July 25, 2026, at 4:00 PM East African Time, to kevin.pillow@us.af.mil in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format. The submission must contain detailed technical and cost information proving capability to meet all requirements; inquiries or questions alone will not be considered viable responses. The vessel will be delivered to and accepted at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, where it will be operated by personnel specifically trained on SAFE Boats platforms, ensuring operational continuity and safety. No formal contract clauses, pricing details, or inspection checklists are included in the notice, as the procurement operates under simplified acquisition procedures and relies on the Single Source Justification document for authority. The contract is implied to be firm-fixed-price, with options noted but not quantified, and all logistical, transport, and communication requirements are tied directly to theater-specific operational needs without reliance on commercial standards. Any failure to meet the stated specifications constitutes an unacceptable risk to mission success and personnel safety.