ASC/YPK, Monahan Hall, Bldg. 12, 1981 Monahan Way, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7205

16 -- F-16 600 GALLON EXTERNAL WING FUEL TANKS SOL F33657-99-R-0023 POC Capt Bryan Hudgens, Contracting Officer, (937) 656-6035 The F-16 System Program Office intends to issue RFP No. F33657-99-R-0023 for sole source negotiations to acquire 600 Gallon External Fuel Tank systems. Israeli Military Industries (IMI) is the intended source. Please note that this effort was previously published as a Sources Sought Synopsis on 14 January 1999. The contractor shall provide technical, analytical, and program support for the integration and fielding of a non-developmental 600 gallon external wing fuel tank system for United States Air Force (USAF) F-16 multi-mission fighters. The support required consists of production of metal 600 gallon external wing fuel tanks and associated metal pylons for USAF F-16s. The production effort consists of casting, cutting, and/or forming metal into 600 gallon fuel tanks and pylons. The F-16 System Program Office is not able to provide tooling or data, so the contractor must be able to produce the 600 gallon external wing fuel tank system using existing fabrication facilities and data to field the system. The F-16 System Program Office will not conduct development or first article testing and/or flight testing; the only testing required for operational use shall be to qualify the 600 gallon external wing fuel tank system as a certified external store for USAF F-16s. Delivery of a minimum of 40 tank/pylon sets, consisting of two 600 gallon external wing fuel tanks with two associated pylons, related data, and support equipment, is required. The resultant contract will contain two options for the purchase of approximately 75 and 45 sets and related equipment. Responses must be received within 15 days of publication. Potential offerors responding to this notice should submit sufficient program, design, manufacturing, and/or testing information for the Air Force to determine the potential offeror's qualifications and capabilities for performing this effort within the scheduled restraints. Mr. Stephen J. Plaisted has been appointed as Ombudsman to hear concerns from offerors, or potential offerors, during the proposal development. The purpose of the Ombudsman is to communicate contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate government personnel. Existence of an Ombudsman does not diminish the authority of the program director or the contracting officer. Accordingly, the Ombudsman does not participate in the preparation of solicitations, the evaluation of proposals or the source selection process and, therefore, for routine matters on individual solicitations, please contact Katherine B. Brennan at (937) 256-6039. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. Should you desire to contact the Ombudsman, Mr. Stephen J. Plaisted, can be contacted at ACS/SYI, Bldg 572, Rm 207, 1790 10th Street, WPAFB OH 45433-7630, (937)255-5535. (see Notes 22 and 26) Posted 02/12/99 (W-SN297878). (0043)

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