USNS CHAVEZ Glass Panel

The U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command is proceeding with a sole source award to Cornell-Carr Co., Inc. for the supply of a proprietary Electric Heated Glass Panel, model CC-774-1, required for the wheel house window aboard the USNS CESAR CHAVEZ (T-AKE 14). This procurement is justified under FAR 6.302-1 due to the item’s non-commercial nature, exclusive OEM status, and its critical role in maintaining operational readiness and navigational safety. The panel is a custom-designed component originally engineered exclusively for the T-AKE class ships, with no alternative suppliers capable of producing a functionally compatible replacement due to restrictive rights, proprietary manufacturing processes, and exclusive licensing agreements. The requirement stems from an urgent need to replace a cracked or delaminated unit, classified under C3/C4 casualty reporting criteria, with delivery targeted for installation at Naval Base San Diego, California, where the vessel is homeported. The acquisition is conducted under simplified procedures with no competitive solicitation, and the contract is not subject to typical evaluation factors or pricing disclosures due to its sole source nature. While no specific contract value, CLINs, or payment details are provided, the procurement relies on documented justifications affirming brand name exclusivity, fleet-wide standardization per COMSCINST 4790.3, and the necessity to preserve the original design integrity of the T-AKE class fleet. The vendor must ensure full compatibility with existing systems and comply with documentation requirements related to proprietary rights and exclusive licensing, as outlined in FAR 27.404 and FAR 6.302. Packaging, preservation, and marking are implied to meet maritime environmental standards, though explicit MIL-STD or labeling specifications are not defined. The solicitation closed on August 5, 2026, with submissions directed to the contracting office in San Diego, and no competitive bids were solicited given the lack of viable alternatives and the mission-critical urgency of the requirement.