Notice of Intent to Award Sole Source | STAR XIII MCs
Key Dates
Due Date
-
Posted Date
-
Agency & Value
Agency
FA8625 AFLCMC WLNK C130
Contract Value
Not provided
Codes & Classification
Solicitation Number
FA862526CB001
NAICS
336413 - Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
Classification Code
1510
Additional Details
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, C-130J Program Branch (AFLCMC/WLNK), has issued a Special Notice of Intent to award a sole source, firm-fixed-price contract to BAE Systems, headquartered in Austin, Texas. This procurement is specifically for the manufacture and delivery of approximately 829 Sanders Technology and Advanced Reduced Instruction Set (STAR) XIII Mission Computers (MCs), designated by National Stock Number (NSN) 6610-01-723-6214 and Part Number 697960-13. The STAR XIII MCs are critical components supporting the operational readiness of the C-130J aircraft fleet.
The primary purpose of this procurement is to address the urgent need to replace legacy STAR VII and STAR IX mission computers, which are facing obsolescence and pose significant risks to fleet readiness. The intended outcome is to ensure continued mission capability and avoid operational disruptions that could result from a lack of suitable replacement hardware. The STAR XIII MCs are proprietary systems owned and controlled by BAE Systems, who is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and the only entity with the necessary technical expertise, validated production line, and established supply chain to fulfill this requirement. The U.S. Government does not possess the technical data, intellectual property, or license rights to enable a competitive procurement, and developing an alternative solution would require an estimated 10 years and $325 million, potentially grounding the C-130J fleet and creating a critical capability gap.
The scope of work encompasses the manufacture and delivery of the specified mission computers, ensuring compatibility and seamless integration with the existing C-130J aircraft systems. The contract is classified under NAICS Code 336413 (Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing), with Product Service Code 1510. The place of performance is Austin, Texas, and there are no set-aside requirements for this procurement, making it open to all qualified sources, though only BAE Systems is currently recognized as capable.
The statutory authority for this sole source action is 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1), as implemented by RFO 6.103-1(b), which allows procurement from only one responsible source when no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. A Sources Sought Synopsis (Notice ID: STARXIIIMC2025) was previously posted on SAM.gov, and no responses were received from any source other than BAE Systems, confirming the lack of alternative providers.
While this notice is not a request for competitive proposals, the Government will consider capability statements, proposals, or quotations from any responsible source received within fifteen calendar days of the notice's publication. The final determination regarding competition rests solely with the Government. Interested parties or those seeking further information should contact Contract Specialist Tyran Knaff ([email protected]) or Contracting Officer Danielle Weeks ([email protected]).
This opportunity is managed by the Department of Defense, Department of the Air Force, under the contracting entity FA8625 AFLCMC WLNK C130. The notice remains active and can be accessed via SAM.gov at https://sam.gov/opp/71ae94848098456ca4954c8ca09bc717/view.
Contractors evaluating this opportunity should note the proprietary nature of the STAR XIII MCs, the critical operational impact of timely delivery, and the absence of set-aside or competitive requirements. The contract’s requirements and objectives are expected to remain constant throughout its lifecycle, focusing on the reliable supply of mission computers to sustain the C-130J fleet.