J -- Phased Commercial Logistics Support (PCLS) for the C-2A Greyhound

The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) anticipates the issuance of a sole source solicitation to Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC) for a Phased Commercial Logistics Support (PCLS) plan and associated work effort for the C-2A Greyhound, Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) aircraft. The C-2A was last produced in 1990 and is currently undergoing a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP). The solicitation will include activities beyond the scope of the current SLEP to sustain the aircraft and maintain its operational safety until a replacement aircraft is fielded, which is expected to begin in 2017. The Navy desires to reduce depot level turnaround time, total remaining life cycle costs and the ready-for-tasking (RFT) gap by combining essential operational and maintenance functions under a single Program Integrator. The C-2A PCLS program is contemplated to include SLEP efforts, program management, depot maintenance, organizational maintenance, sustainment (engineering and logistics), supply chain management, and will leverage partnerships with Government activities. Key tenets of the C-2A PCLS program include SLEP, performance-based incentives for RFT gap reduction and operational availability, readiness, and sustainment. Partnerships between pertinent Navy operational commands, the aircraft manufacturer, Government depots, the Defense Logistics Activity (DLA) and the Naval Inventory Control Point (NAVICP) are essential to effectively and efficiently manage the C-2A inventory to meet vital fleet operational tasking. The Navy plans to leverage the technical synergism and production efficiencies between the C-2A and E-2. While NAVAIR and NGC are both design agents for the aircraft, NGC is the sole aircraft manufacturer, and as such is the only known commercial source possessing the extensive structural design expertise, manufacturing tooling, production facilities and systems integration skills necessary to extend the life of the C-2A aircraft and leverage expertise from the E-2 design while reducing total life cycle cost to the Navy. Aging aircraft maintenance issues must be addressed while achieving savings in the operation and maintenance of the aircraft. System safety is a critical component of this award since the C-2A routinely carries military, civilian, government and foreign passengers to/from deployed aircraft carriers. It is expected that the PCLS will deliver a safety record equal to or better than the existing safety record for maintenance related mishaps. NGC is the only known contractor that possesses substantial C-2A engineering knowledge and experience, structural design capability, C-2A manufacturing tooling and facilities, worldwide field-support and a demonstrated logistical capability supporting Naval Aviation. NAVAIR will also investigate the possibility of including aspects of the E-2C Hawkeye logistics infrastructure to increase synergy with the C-2 effort if it improves reduction in total life cycle costs and a reduction in the RFT gap, and, if appropriate and warranted, include that effort in the resultant contract. Subcontracting opportunities may exist. Note 22 applies.