Planned Maintenance Interval (PMI) for E-6B

SOURCES SOUGHT MARKET RESEARCH SURVEY FOR PLANNED MAINTENANCE INTERVAL CONTRACT FOR E-6B

1.0  INTRODUCTION 

a. The Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) requires contractor services to execute Planned Maintenance Interval (PMI) events for the United States Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft fleet. 

The E-6B is a dual-mission aircraft derived from the commercial Boeing 707 airframe. It is a long-range, narrow-body, four-engine swept-wing jet that hosts a Very Low Frequency (VLF) dual trailing wire antenna system and high-altitude, survivable communications equipment. Operating across a broad frequency spectrum to transmit and receive secure and non-secure voice and data, the E-6B provides survivable, endurable, and reliable airborne command, control, and communications (ABNCP) and Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) operations supporting the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, and the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM). 

Due to the strategic importance of the platform, maintenance activities are executed under a DX-A1 national defense priority rating, requiring seamless schedule synchronization, stringent quality controls, and high-fidelity operational turnaround. 

b. This Market Research tool is being used to identify potential and eligible firms, of all sizes, prior to determining the method of acquisition and issuance of a solicitation. The results of the Sources Sought will be utilized to determine if any Small Business Set-Aside opportunities exist.  Additionally, this sources sought is being used to gather constructive information from industry to improve the RFP. 

c. Attachments:  

     1. Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) 

d. Anticipated period of performance is June 2027 through May 2031. 

e. Primary Work Location: Refer to the attached Draft PWS. 

2.0 DISCLAIMER 

THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL.  IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT.  RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.  NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.  ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY. 

3.0 ANTICIPATED CONTRACT TYPE 

The Government is anticipating a C-Type, Firm-Fixed Price contract. 

4.0 REQUIRED CAPABILITIES 

Refer to the attached Draft PWS. 

5.0 ELIGIBILITY 

a. The applicable NAICS code for this requirement is 336411 – Aircraft Manufacturing, with a Small Business Size Standard of 1,500 employees. 

b. The PSC code is J015 – Maintenance, Repair, and Rebuilding of Equipment: Aircraft and Airframe Structural Components. 

c. Note:   FAR 52.219-14 Class Deviation 2021-O0008 Limitation on Subcontracting requires a small business prime on a Set-Aside to perform at least 50% of the cost of contract performance.  Small business primes may now count “first tier subcontracted” work performed by similarly situated entities as if it were performed by the prime itself. Please read the full text of the clause deviation (52.219-14 Class Deviation 2021-O0008 dated 09/10/21 at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far).  

To assist in our market research and determination of any applicable small business set-aside for this effort, if you are a small business interested in priming this effort and plan to utilize “similarly situated entities” to meet the Limitations on Subcontracting, please identify the name & CAGE Code of the specific firm(s) you intend to partner/subcontract with to meet the requirements as well as their SB size status under the NAICS that you as the prime would assign for their workshare. Information regarding any planned similarly situated entity should be included in answering any questions outlined in the Sources Sought Notice (SSN) in order to assist the Government’s capability determination. 

d. The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) level requirement will be Level 2 Self-Assessment. 

6.0 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

A: Interested parties are requested to respond to the following sections: 

Section 1: Corporate Profile and Socioeconomic Status

       1. Provide company name, commercial physical address, CAGE code, UEI number, website, and designated Point of Contact (name, phone, email). 

      2. Identify your company’s business size standard under NAICS 336411 (1,500 employees). 

      3. State whether your business is classified as an SBA-certified Small Business (SB), Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), 8(a), Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged WOSB (EDWOSB), HUBZone Small Business, Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). 

      4. Under current SBA recertification regulations, do you anticipate your company retaining its small business status over the next 3 to 5 years under NAICS 336411? 

      5. Small Business Participation: If responding as a Small Business prime:  

          (a) What specific percentage of the total requirement do you plan to perform in-house versus subcontracting? Detail how your organization will comply with the limitation on subcontracting requirements (FAR 52.219-14 / 13 CFR 125.6), ensuring that at least 50% of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel will be expended by your firm or similarly situated entities.

          (b) Provide supporting rationale demonstrating that your firm possesses adequate financial resources, capital backing, and operational capacity to perform an effort of this magnitude.

Section 2: Facility Capabilities and Geographic Location

      6. Do you currently own or lease a fully operational facility located within 25 miles of NAS Jacksonville that satisfies all airfield, runway (>= 8,000 ft x 150 ft; 342,000 lbs gross weight), apron, and hangar constraints?

      7. If your current facility does not fully meet these specifications, provide a detailed milestone schedule and capital investment plan illustrating how your company will achieve full compliance within the mandatory 30-calendar-day transition phase-in period. 

      8. Confirm whether your facility possesses: 

• Enclosed hangar bays capable of housing two (2) Boeing 707/E-6B aircraft concurrently.
• Full strip, prime, and paint environmental booths sized for E-6B airframes.
• 20,000 sq ft CLS logistics warehouse space and 20,000 sq ft staging space per aircraft bay.
• Furnished office suites for 15 Government personnel with NMCI VPN drops and dedicated conference rooms. 
• Approved Liquid Oxygen (LOX) handling/storage, Ethylene Glycol servicing, and battery charging infrastructure.

Section 3: Technical Capabilities and Airframe Experience

      9. Describe your company's depth of past performance and technical experience performing depot-level modifications, PMI, structural inspection, and strip/paint on Boeing 707, C-135, or E-6B series aircraft (or relevant large commercial/military transport category airframes) within the last five (5) years. 

      10. Outline your capability to maintain a standing workforce of certified aircraft mechanics, sheet metal technicians, non-destructive inspection (NDI) specialists, avionics technicians, and on-site liaison structural engineers.

      11. Describe your experience with U.S. Navy Naval Aviation Maintenance Program (COMNAVAIRFORINST 4790.2E), DCMA 8210.1D, NALCOMIS/OOMA logging, Automated Weight and Balance System (AWBS), and Navy deficiency reporting (JDRS). 

      12. Detail your processes for executing high-stand fuel leak inspections (95% tank fill), defueling, purging, and gas-free fuel cell maintenance.

Section 4: Security, Cybersecurity, and Quality Assurance

      13. Confirm that your facility holds a current Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) verified SECRET Facility Clearance with SECRET safeguarding capabilities. 

      14. Confirm that your firm can supply 100% sole U.S. citizen personnel (possessing or capable of immediately obtaining SECRET clearances) to support all touch-labor and supervisory roles. 

      15. State your current Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) status. Have you achieved a CMMC Level 2 Self-Assessment score posted to SPRS (Supplier Performance Risk System)? 

      16. Confirm current certification to AS9100 (Revision D) or ISO 9001:2015. 

Section 5: Transition, Industry Feedback, and Acquisition Strategy

      17. Transition Feasibility: Is the required 30-calendar-day Phase-In period realistic and achievable for your organization to reach full operational capability? If not, what transition duration is recommended, and what are the primary critical-path drivers? 

      18. Turnaround Time (TAT): Based on the scope of E-6B DLMS PMI and concurrent strip/paint, what is your estimated nominal Turnaround Time (calendar days) from aircraft induction to flight acceptance? 

      19. Government/Contractor Workshare: What risks or efficiencies do you foresee regarding the division of workshare (where the contractor executes PMI baseline inspections/tasks and on-site engineering, while the Government team performs Defect Correction Criteria (DCC) 1–6 unscheduled structural repairs)? 

B: Submission Instructions:

      a. Response format: Responses must be submitted in electronic format (Adobe PDF or Microsoft Word compatible). Font size shall not be smaller than 10-point, with standard margins. 

      b. Page Limit: Responses should be concise and are requested not to exceed twenty-five (25) pages, excluding title pages and corporate certifications. 

• Proprietary Data: Proprietary information, if any, must be clearly and distinctly marked on each page. The Government will handle proprietary submissions with appropriate care and safeguards. 
• No classified information shall be submitted in response to this Sources Sought. 
• No phone calls will be accepted. 
• Any information or materials provided in response to this Sources Sought Notice WILL NOT be returned. Classified material SHALL NOT be submitted. The Government is not committed nor obligated to pay for the information provided, and no basis for claims against the Government shall arise as a result of a response to this Sources Sought Notice. 

      c. Submission Deadline: All responses must be received no later than 12 November 2026 at 1400 EST.

      d. Points of Contact: Submit responses and direct technical/contractual inquiries via email to: 

• Contract Specialist: Courtney Dagenhart, contact@example.gov 
• Procuring Contracting Officer: Beverley Rhamdeow, contact@example.gov