F/A-18 Weapons Integration Services Contract Follow-On

The Naval Air Systems Command awarded this sole source standalone indefinite delivery indefinite quantity, non-competitive, sole source contract in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source.

This contract will procure weapons integration services in order to produce analyses, test reports and studies, and other support activities that aid in the development and integration of weapon systems and weapon system software and hardware upgrades onto the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G aircraft. Boeing is the original equipment manufacturer, sole designer, developer, integrator, and supplier of all F/A-18 and EA-18G aircraft.

Additionally, Boeing is the sole repository for the engineering design and software development expertise of weapons integration and all tactical software and integration of the avionics to the aircraft weapon system.

Boeing is the only source that has the unique combination of airframe and weapons system integration knowledge needed to perform the required mission support, which ensures compatibility between software and aircraft systems due to the ongoing changes, upgrades, and system enhancements to production aircraft.

The Government does not expect to recover the costs to stand-up a new source and acquire the necessary equipment to support these requirements through competition and did not have the appropriate data rights to support full and open competition.

Nonetheless, the Government posted a sources sought (in accordance with DFARS PGI 206.302-1) and synopsized the requirement (in accordance with FAR 5.201(b)) on https://sam.gov on 5 June 2023 and 21 June 2023 (respectively) specifically stating the Government’s intent and rationale to contract sole-source with Boeing. No responses were received from industry from the notice and posting. A cost plus fixed fee contract type was determined appropriate in accordance with FAR 16.301-2(a)(2).

Due to the wide breadth of weapons integration testing, analysis, and engineering support required for multiple systems, the level of effort cannot be reasonably estimated with sufficient accuracy to support the use of a fixed-price contract.