UAS Hardware and UAS Operational and Maintenance Services

NOTICE OF INTENT FOR A SOLE SOURCE. T his acquisition will be in support of Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border protection (CBP), Air and Marine Operations (AMO). CBP intends to award a Hybrid-Firm Fixed Price and Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) Contract for the procurement of UAS Hardware and Operational and Maintenance support services for CBP's Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) MQ-9 Predator B aircrafts on a sole source basis to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), 14200 Kirkham Way, Poway, California 92064. The UAS Hardware includes spares and the replacement of one (1) previously procured unmanned aircraft and system components that was lost due to equipment failure/mishap. The UAS Operational and Maintenance Services procurement consist of air vehicle instructor pilots and instructor payload operators; system and equipment repairs/modifications; system upgrades and/or engineering changes; software support services; air vehicle and mission equipment systems integration; training; logistics procurement and support; engineering and technical data support services; ground station facility maintenance and support; and data development, record keeping, and documentation services; material and support issues resolution; material and equipment procurement services and spares, Vehicle and Dismount Exploitation Radar (VADER) operational and maintenance services, and urgent services. This is a non-competitive contract action under the authority of FAR 6.302-1(a)(2) - only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Given that GA-ASI maintains proprietary ownership of MQ-9 design artifacts, engineering drawings, Engineering Data for Provisioning (EDFP), manufacturing, and special tooling, procuring additional MQ-9s from GA-ASI is the only way to maintain UAS fleet commonality as well as obtain the required operational, maintenance, engineering and logistics services for CBP’s fleet if UAS. The anticipated contract period will be for a base year and four (4) option year periods. This notice is neither a request for proposal nor an invitation for bids. There is no formal solicitation available for this requirement at this time. Companies interested in subcontracting opportunities should contact GA-ASI directly.