Procurement of Materials for F-35 FCT

The Air Armament Center, 308th Armament Systems Wing, 808th Armament Systems Group, 685th Armament Systems Squadron, Eglin AFB, FL anticipates awarding a sole source Firm Fixed Price (FFP) purchase order to Rheinmetall Waffe Munitions Schweiz (RWMS) AG Birch Strasse 155; Zurich, Switzerland 79395. It is anticipated that the total purchase order period of performance will not exceed five (5) months from time of award and will have an estimated value of $100,000.00. The USAF will procure Tungsten alloy raw materials for approximately 1650 rounds of Rheinmetall 25mm x 137mm FAP ammunition to evaluate firing performance with respect to the GAU-22/A gun/ammunition/aircraft interface requirements. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION OR REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. The authority for this action is 10 USC 2304(c)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1: Agency requirements can only be met by one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. In accordance with DFARS 206.302-1, this authority is applicable as it may be used for "acquisitions of test articles and associated support services from a designated foreign source under the DoD Foreign Comparative Testing Program." The USAF has been authorized to conduct a Foreign Comparative Test (FCT) program by OSD to evaluate and qualify a 25mm x 137 Frangible Armor Piercing (FAP) round for the USAF Joint Strike Fighter's GAU-22/A gun system. The candidate FAP round chosen for this FCT is developed and manufactured by (RWMS), formerly Oerlikon Contraves Pyrotec AG. An ammunition study was conducted in 2005. The result of this exhaustive study was that only ammunition proposed by Rheinmetall satisfied both effectiveness and safety requirements. Market Research completed in 2008 as part of the FCT confirmed Rheinmetall ammunition to be the only suitable choice available. As a result, the government selected the Rheinmetall 25mm x 137mm FAP round for the FCT project. The materials acquired under this purchase order are specialized materials required for the manufacture of the Rheinmetall FAP round. The clause at 5352.201-9101, Ombudsman, is applicable to this procurement. An Ombudsman has been appointed to address concerns of offerors or potential offerors. The Ombudsman does not diminish the authority of the program manager or contracting officer, but communicates contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate Government personnel. When requested, the Ombudsman shall maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals or in the source selection process. Matters of routine or administrative nature concerning this acquisition should not be addressed to the Ombudsman, but rather to the contracting points of contact identified below. The Ombudsman is Colonel Arnold W. Bunch, AAC/CV, at 101 West D Avenue, Suite 116, Eglin AFB, FL 32542-5495; his phone number is 850-882-5422. Collect calls will not be accepted. The alternate Ombudsman is Colonel Lawrence G. Avery, Jr. AAC/CS, at 101 West D Avenue, Suite 116, Eglin AFB, FL 32542-5495; his phone number is 850-882-5422. For subcontracting opportunities, please contact Oskar Brodmann, 41443163741 or Rheinmetall Waffe Munitions Schweiz AG, Birch Strasse 155; Zurich, Switzerland 79395. Please forward any written statements of eligibility to 685 ARSS, Attn: Lt Jamesina Stuppy, 207 West D Avenue, Bldg 349, Suite 626, Eglin AFB FL 32542-6864, or facsimile (850) 882-7983 or e-mail Jamesina.Stuppy@eglin.af.mil.