15--Acquisition and Support of Component Level Obsolescence Impacting Model V-22 Production Aircraft

This is a notice of intent to negotiate with the Bell-Boeing Joint Venture Team, RADM William A. Moffet Building, Suite 150, 47123 Buse Road, Patuxent River, MD 20670-1547 on an other than full and open competitive basis for the “life-of-type buys” and “bridge buys” of V-22 tiltrotor production aircraft component level parts that are due to become obsolete. Key avionics systems are experiencing component level obsolescence impacting the availability of avionics and VMS installs for production aircraft as well as supportability. “Bridge buys” and “life-of-type buys” will be required as Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS) discontinue manufacture of required parts and the program continues to receive End of Life (EOL) notifications. These EOL notifications are distributed without long lead times. Availability of key avionics boxes will be diminished, directly impacting the completion, delivery of new production V-22 aircraft, operational availability and sustainment of fleet products. The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) plans to begin issuing Orders under Basic Ordering Agreement N00019-04-C-0007 for these component level parts on or around 18 June 2004. This requirement will be procured in accordance with FAR Part 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy the agency requirements. The Bell-Boeing Team is the designer, developer and sole producer of the MV-22 tiltrotor aircraft. Note Applicable to this synopsis (Sole Source)