16--Sole Source Announcement to Rockwell for the design, installation, testing, and procurement of nineteen interim message processing systems for E-6B aircraft

THIS IS NOT A NOTICE OF SOLICITATION ISSUANCE. The U. S. Navy intends to procure, on a sole source basis, nineteen interim message processing systems for E-6B aircraft from Rockwell Collins. The hardware and software of the current message processing system, the Mission Computer Set (MCS), are expected to become unsupportable by 2007. An interim message processing system is required by 2007 to bridge the gap between MCS obsolescence and final fielding of the Mission Avionics Processing System (MAPS) as part of the Block I Modification (Block I) program in 2014. MAPS will perform all of the message processing functions required by the E-6B mission. The interim message processing system hardware and software will be highly common with the Block I MAPS to avoid duplicative development, operations and maintenance costs of an interim message processing solution separate from MAPS. Interim message processing system installations in E-6B aircraft must begin no later than 2007. Rockwell Collins is the sole designer and developer of E-6B Block I modifications including MAPS. The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) intends to issue a modification under a Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) with Rockwell Collins (Richardson, TX) for this procurement on a sole source basis. This award is based on FAR 6.302-1, whereby the supplies and services required are available from only one responsible source, and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. No additional written information is available, and no formal requests for proposal (RFP) or other solicitation documents regarding this announcement is currently available. THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. GENERAL INFORMATION: Any further inquires should be directed in writing by October 4, 2004 to Jeffrey L. O’Neil, AIR-2.3.1.4.2, Numbered notes 22 and 26 apply.