F-35 Hand on Throttle and Stick HOTAS

The United States Air Force Test Center/Directorate of Contracting (AFTC/PZZG), Edwards AFB, CA issued a sole source contract to Stirling Dynamics Limited, 230 Bristol Business Park, Stoke Gifford Bristol BS16 1FJ, United Kingdom. The contract was executed by means of competition other than full and open. This is due to the custom-made F-35Hand on Throttle and Stick (HOTAS) 80Hz by Stirling Dynamics Limited for Building 1030. Stirling Dynamics Limited are the manufacturer of the HOTAS 80Hz that best fits the requirement.

Description of Work: F-35 Hand on Throttle and Stick (HOTAS) 80Hz 032A000-002 Simulated Sticks Excluding Grips, Qty of 7 033A000-002 Simulated Throttles Excluding Grips, Qty of 7 9021490300-7 Essex F-35 JSF Side stick Grip, Qty of 6 9021490400-1 Essex F-35 JSF Throttle Grip, Qty of 6 Rig Calibration and Maintenance, Qty 1 In order to comply with FAR 5.207(c)(15), the reason for lack of competition is as follows:

Stirling Dynamics Limited, manufactures 80Hz HOTAS. The F-35 flight simulator requires active control systems that provide high-fidelity, active force feedback to accurately replicate flight conditions for critical Pilot and Flight Qualification (P&FQ) missions. The essential technical requirement for these missions is the system's ability to continuously update force parameters in the stick and throttle at a rate of 80Hz. This 80Hz feedback capability is a unique and demanding requirement specific to the F-35 flight simulator.