V -- Special Threat Awareness Receiver/Transmitter (START) Flight Test Support

SPECIAL THREAT AWARENESS RECEIVER/TRANSMITTER (START) FLIGHT TEST SUPPORT The Air Armament Center (AAC), Eglin AFB, FL is contemplating a sole source firm fixed price contract to International Air Response, 22000 South Price Road, Chandler, AZ 85248. This 16 month contract is to be awarded on or about 1 Sept 2006. The requirement is for flight test services; to include one C-130 A aircraft and aircrew to support the Air Force Research Lab's START Development Program. START is a developmental program to provide operational support, tactical situation awareness, and protection to select AFSOC Special Operations Aircraft. Flight test support is to be focused upon the START development and may include short suspense and time critical mission accomplishment. The aircraft must be modified to carry the START equipment and support flight testing. Logistics ferry flights in support of the START program are expected and authorized at the direction of the START Program Manager. The Contractor shall supply one C-130A aircraft in an airworthy condition. The term - Airworthy shall apply as specified in US Code Title 14 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Regulations (FAR). The contractor shall inspect the aircraft per FAA Approved Inspection Program (AIP). All Airworthiness Directives (AD's) and USAF issued Time Compliance Technical Orders (TCTO's) affecting airworthiness shall be completed. The aircraft and maintenance personnel will be made available to the Government as required for aircraft pre-modification preparation and technical measurements such as radar cross section, airflow dynamics, modeling, or other physical data collection as directed by the Program Manager. The contractor shall provide one (1) Flight crew, FAA licensed, current in the type, make and model of aircraft as specified in US Code Title 14 FAR's. The dedicated aircrew should consist of one (1) Captain (Aircraft Commander/Pilot), one (1) First Officer (Co-Pilot), and one (1) Second Officer (Flight Engineer). The aircrew must be experienced with military electronics system testing and be authorized to operate from and conduct complex highly structured low level flight test operations over the Western Test Ranges at China Lake and Edwards AFB as required. The Aircraft Commander and First Officer must have prior military systems test pilot experience. Aircrew members must be able to acquire DOD Secret security clearances. Due to the complexity of the test profiles and specialized experience required, this aircrew should remain with the START program until completion. The contractor shall provide one (1) dedicated Aircraft Maintenance Technician, FAA licensed and experienced on the C-130 aircraft. The contractor shall provide maintenance support adequate to return the aircraft to an airworthy condition in a reasonable and timely fashion including using additional maintenance personnel as required. All aircraft maintenance outside of that required by the START system components shall be the responsibility of the contractor. The contractor shall continue to inspect as required and maintain the aircraft in an airworthy condition throughout the contract period. The Contractor should expect to be notified of test flights or ground missions at least 72 hours in advance. To achieve this availability the contractor shall carry aboard the aircraft a - deployment spares kit of basic commonly required parts and tools. The contractor shall be responsible for furnishing the aircraft to a Government designated aircraft modification facility for test article installation. The contractor shall be responsible for ferrying the aircraft to and from the modification facility and the test range. This may, at the Program Manager's direction, include flights to and from the contractor's facility or other locations for inspection and/or heavy maintenance requirements. The ferry flights are the responsibility of the Contractor but will be funded by the Government. The Government will insure ATRSB requirements are met; however, a contractor representative may be required to attend the ATRSB as directed by the Program Manager. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) and it is not the Government's intention to pay for information solicited at this time. The Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302-1. IAR is the only known company that maintains the equipment and manpower resources to complete the START test program. Matters of a routine or administrative nature concerning this acquisition should be addressed to the Contracting Officer, Mrs. Stacey Hughes, Stacey.hughes@eglin.af.mil, telephone (850) 882-0190, FAX (850) 882-4561. Technical questions should be directed to the Program Manager, Mr. Craig Gleason, craig.gleason@eglin.af.mil, telephone (850) 882-0819. Numbered Note 22 applies.