R&D CONTRACTING DIRECTORATE, WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH 45433-7607

A -- JAST MANUFACTURING CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT TOOLSET AMENDMENT 1 POC SUSAN M. PALMER, CONTRACT NEGOTIATOR, (513) 255-3506. Jast Manufacturing Capability Assessment Toolset, Program Research and Development Announcement (PRDA) 95-30-MLK, Amendment 1. The Joint Advanced Strike Technology (JAST) Program is making significant progress in establishing an affordable family of next generation strike weapon systems. With the merger of the JAST and Advanced Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing (ASTOVL) programs, the stage is set for wider dialogue with allies on defense cooperation of fighter aircraft. The U.S. welcomes discussions with its allies on their participation in the JAST Program. It is the policy of the Department of Defense that this kind of participation must take place within an explicit framework for international defense cooperation. Because of the likely future resource environment, DOD's objective is to design a framework for closer cooperation to ensure that the next generation strike aircraft represents the most advanced, yet affordable, program. An explicit framework for international cooperation in the JAST Program is the best way to ensure long-term international participation. Therefore, until such a framework is formulated, cooperation will be limited to work begun under the ASTOVL framework and specific subcontract tasks witin the concept definition and design research phase of the JAST Program. Contracts beyond the concept definition and design research phase will be considered only within the framework for international defense cooperation, established in consultation, with our allies. The purpose of Amendment 1 to PRDA 95-30-MLK is to serve as notification to companies submitting proposals in response to PRDA 95-30-MLK, that until the framework for international defense cooperation is established as set forth above, an additional review will be required to determine if the proposed contract is consistent with existing international agreements before a contract can be awarded to a foreign company. Questions should be directed to one of the following points of contact: Contract Negotiator, Susan M. Palmer, (513) 255-3506, Technical Point of Contact, Theodore J. Finnessy, (513) 255-8589. (0011)

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