H-1 FUEL CELL TOOLING

The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Patuxent River, MD intends to issue Firm Fixed Price (FFP) type contract to American Fuel Cell and Coated Fabrics Company, LLC. (AMFUEL), 601 Firestone Drive, Magnolia, AR, 71753 on a sole source basis. The contract will procure non-recurring engineering (NRE) and tooling required to manufacture the current USMC AH-1Z and UH-1Y Fuel Cells. Tooling required includes H-1 specific 3-D Modeling, form jigs, and build and form templates.

Efforts under the resultant contract will include drawings and associated documents created while engineering the aforementioned tooling. The H-1 Fuel Cell Tooling is planned to be awarded in the 1st quarter of FY26. This requirement will be procured in accordance with the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition under 10 U.S.C.3204(a)(1), as implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1.

The Government has determined that the NRE to support the H-1 Fuel Cell Tooling is only available from one responsible source, American Fuel Cell and Coated Fabrics Company, LLC. American Fuel Cell and Coated Fabrics Company, LLC. is the designer, developer, manufacturer, supplier and repairer of the H-1 fuel cells and is the only company with requisite knowledge and in-depth experience to fulfill the Governments requirements for this acquisition.

Furthermore, the Government does not have the necessary data rights to compete the effort anticipated under this acquisition. The estimated timeframe to qualify another source and develop the technical data for the requirements herein is 4.5 years based on historical UH-1Y/AH-1Z upgrades data and, as such, an award to another source would result in an unacceptable delay in providing the supplies and services.

Therefore, NAVAIR has determined American Fuel Cell and Coated Fabrics Company, LLC. is the only responsible source capable of meeting the agency’s requirements. This notice is for information purposes only. Questions regarding this notice should be addressed to LCDR Maria Warner via e-mail at maria.e.warner2.mil@us.navy.mil.

Contracting Office Address: Building 2805 48202 Bronson Road Patuxent River, Maryland 20670 United States