15 -- Air Vehicles Structures Division is tasked to provide engineering services to support the development of methodologies and designs for composite Trailing Edge Flap components for the F/A-18C/D.

The Air Vehicle Structures Division at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Patuxent River, Maryland is tasked to provide engineering services to support the development of methodologies and designs for composite Trailing Edge Flap components for the F/A-18C/D aircraft. This effort is directed towards increasing the life of these components through the application of modern materials, analytical prediction and simulation of component usage. This requirement is for sole source procurement to the Boeing Company in St. Louis, Missouri, to provide engineering services for design development, component fabrication and component testing. The effort requires details of the design requirements, geometric constraints, and an analytical assessment of the adequacy of the existing design specific to the F/A-18C/D aircraft. It is anticipated that a Cost Plus Fixed Fee level of effort contract will be awarded for an approximate four-year period of performance. The period of performance runs from the date of the award for an approximate base period of eighteen (18) months with two (2) option periods. The estimated level of effort for the entire program is approximately 84,000 hours. The government intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with the Boeing Company, St. Louis, Missouri, because as the original designer of the F/A-18C/D aircraft, Boeing is the only source that owns the data, knowledge, experience and skills required to provide these services. In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1 there is only one responsible source and no other supplies or service will satisfy the government agency requirement. See Number Note 22.