The Department of Defense, through the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), intends to award a sole source Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to Kato Engineering for the sustainment of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launching System (EMALS) Energy Storage Subsystems (ESS) aboard Ford Class nuclear powered aircraft carriers. This contract will cover a five-year ordering period and include tasks such as engineering support, configuration management, logistics support, and repairs, essential for maintaining the operational readiness of the EMALS systems. The unique expertise and technical data held by Kato Engineering make them the only responsible source for this procurement, as competitive bidding is not feasible due to the lack of adequate technical data packages. Interested parties can reach out to Joshua Hirtz or Margo O'Rear for further inquiries, and subcontracting opportunities are available through Kevin Joswiak.

Introduction: 

This Sources Sought Notice is being posted to satisfy the requirement of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.201(e) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) PGI 206.302-1.   

The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is seeking eligible business firms who can provide engineering, configuration management, Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS), logistics support, technical support, In-Service Support, Product support, and Life Cycle Sustainment of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) Energy Storage Subsystems (ESS) aboard the Ford-class nuclear powered aircraft carriers.

The efforts will support the sustainment phase of the EMALS, and will include the following:

Development of pre-Engineering Change Proposals and Logistics Engineering Change Proposals of the systems for deficiency resolution and corrective action
Technical data development, to include drawings, product engineering design data, critical manufacturing processes, parts/wiring lists, and quality assurance provisions
Support for the development of product improvements, design recommendations, technical data investigations, support for technical publications deficiency reports resolution, technical support for test plans, reports, acceptance test procedures, and engineering/general specifications
Remote and on-site subject matter expertise/technical support to the Ford Class shore based/pier side, or land-based test site, to include investigation and repair following determination of root cause
Support for shipboard activities for fixed wing aircraft launches using EMALS ESS
Engineering and System Software Investigations Support
Establish and maintain a Failure Reporting, Analysis, and Corrective Action System
Update and maintain EMALS ESS logistics products across Operational, Intermediate, and Depot maintenance levels using current data
Update and maintain Supportability Analysis, to include all EMALS system configuration technical data packages
Other Logistics support, such as Repair Level Analysis, Maintenance Plan, task analysis/narrative, training support, support equipment and peculiar support equipment, provisioning data, Interactive Electronic Technical Manual, calibration, and packaging, handling, storage, and transportation
Quality assurance management
Material management in support of repair and overhauls

The planned contract award date is no later than September 30, 2026, with an ordering period of five years to support EMALS ESS aboard ford-class nuclear powered aircraft carriers. 

Background: 

EMALS is an aircraft launch system that provides the ability to launch current and projected carrier-based, nose-gear-launch (NGL) equipped aircraft from Ford-class aircraft carriers.  The ESS is comprised of 12 motor-generators and control systems and powers the carrier’s aircraft launch system. EMALS improves launch gear margins of safety from the current steam catapult levels to the values needed for future fleet operational requirements.

Special Requirements: 

NAVAIR expects to receive from each respondent a full response with capability summary, which contains a detailed description that clearly demonstrates that your company currently possesses or has authorized access or has a viable plan to obtain, generate, or otherwise secure authorized access to the necessary technical data to complete the above tasking and that it will be maintained throughout the duration of the effort being solicited.  For example, the summary should include details on the following technical data: Specifications, Critical Manufacturing Processes, Product Engineering Design Data and Special Tooling Engineering Design Data of the EMALS ESS systems.  In addition, each response shall address the following:

Contractor shall demonstrate the ability to provide Engineering and Logistics reach-back and on-site support of EMALS ESS for all In-Service Ford Class Carriers
Contractor shall provide detailed understanding of facility and infrastructure requirements for complete validation and verification of all ESS components. Contractor shall also prove they have access to test facilities that can support the weight of the ESS components as well as power requirements, auxiliary sensors, and ESS compatible health monitoring systems.
Electrical power to the test pad is provided from a 2.5 MVA, 690 V transformer, and the facility requires A Nidec Industrial Automation VSD, or equivalent, to drive the ESS motor via the 690:1010 V three phase, step-up transformer.
Contractor shall provide a detailed understanding of procedures on how to troubleshoot, repair/replace all ESS equipment and subcomponents, and a proven ability to test/verify ESS equipment and subcomponent functionality prior to returning equipment back to operational state. Contractor shall provide detailed understanding of all required calibration, sensor installation, and data acquisition procedures that are required to support a return to operation process for all ESS components.
Contractor shall provide a detailed understanding of embedded material specifications and technical requirements noted on ESS Drawing Package and proven ability to replicate/reproduce in support of engineering, configuration management, DMSMS, logistics support, technical support, In-Service Support, Product support, and Life Cycle Sustainment aboard the Ford-class nuclear powered aircraft carriers.
Contractor shall describe the approach that will be utilized to perform research and analysis, engineering and logistics support required to develop change proposals for EMALS ESS.
Contractor shall describe the approach that will be utilized for deficiency resolution and corrective actions to include a combination of procedural and/or material (hardware and/or software) solutions for the EMALS ESS systems.
Contractor shall demonstrate how Government led trouble report investigations will be supported including: investigate failure cause, research potential solutions, make recommendations on improvements, and support implementation of corrective actions on the EMALS ESS systems.
Contractor shall describe the approach for design recommendations to correct safety defects, overhaul & repair instruction (ORIs), or improve component or system reliability will be provided for non-Performance Based Logistics (PBL) items.
The Contractor shall demonstrate how it will support FORD class shipboard activities for fixed wing aircraft launches using EMALS ESS.

Eligibility: 

The applicable NAICS code for this requirement is 336413, Other Aircraft Part and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing, with a Small Business Size Standard of 1,250 employees.  The Product Service Code (PSC) is J017 – Maintenance, Repair, and Rebuilding of Equipment: Aircraft Launching, Landing, and Ground Handling Equipment. 

The results of this Sources Sought Notice will also be used to determine if any Small Business Set-Aside opportunities exist. In addition, this market research tool is being used to identify potential and eligible firms of all sizes, prior to determining the method of acquisition. Businesses of all sizes are encouraged to respond; however, each respondent must clearly identify their business size in their capabilities statement. Note: FAR 52.219-14 Limitation on Subcontracting requires a small business prime on a Set-Aside to perform at least 50% of the cost of contract performance. Small business primes may now count “first tier subcontracted” work performed by similarly situated entities as if it were performed by the prime itself. Please read the full text of the clause deviation (52.219-14 Class Deviation 2020-O0008 dated 04/03/20 at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far).

To assist in our market research and determination of any applicable small business set-aside for this effort, if you are a small business interested in priming this effort and plan to utilize “similarly situated entities” to meet the Limitations on Subcontracting, please identify the name & CAGE Code of the specific firm(s) you intend to partner/subcontract with to meet the requirements as well as their SB size status under the NAICS that you as the prime would assign for their workshare. Information regarding any planned similarly situated entity should be included in the response to this notice to assist the Government’s capability determination.

Disclaimer: 

THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY. 

Capability Package Submittal Information and Instructions: 

Responsible parties may identify their interest by responding to the requirement with a capability statement (no more than 10 pages in length). No phone inquiries will be entertained. Responses shall be made in writing by e-mail to the attention of the listed points of contacts using the contact information provided. Interested parties are requested to submit their capability statement along with their company name, address, and any comments or questions to Joshua Hirtz, joshua.a.hirtz.civ@us.navy.mil and Margo O’Rear at margo.b.orear.civ@us.navy.mil by 4:00 PM (EST) on 14 May 2025. Late responses submitted past the day and time may not be considered. Classified material shall not be submitted. All submissions should include this Sources Sought Notice Reference Number, company name, company address, CAGE code, UEI number, and a point-of-contact who is able to discuss the Capability Statement submitted.  Point-of-contact information should include name, position, phone number, and email address.  The Government will acknowledgement receipt of the response.  All information submitted will be adequately safeguarded from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with FAR 15.207.  All submissions must be clearly marked IAW DoDI 5200.48, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).  Responses that fail to comply with the above instructions or present ideas not pertinent to subject, may not be reviewed.  All information received in response to this Notice that is marked proprietary will be handled accordingly.  Information submitted in response to this Notice is submitted at no cost to the Government and will not be returned.  The Government is under no obligation to provide responses or comments to information received from interested persons but may request additional information following review.  Note:  If the interested person is a foreign concern or if a U.S. interested person has a team member or partner who is a foreign entity, adherence to all International Traffic and Arms Regulations (ITAR) is required. 

Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) Energy Storage Subsystems (ESS) Sustainment IDIQ

The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) intends to negotiate and award a Cost Reimbursable five-year ordering period Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract sole source to Kato Engineering, Mankato, MN, for sustainment support of the Ford Class carriers for the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launching System (EMALS) Energy Storage Subsystems (ESS). Task and delivery orders are anticipated to be issued for engineering, configuration management, Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS), repairs and overhauls, logistics support, technical support, In-Service Support, Product support, and Life Cycle Sustainment of EMALS ESS aboard the Ford Class nuclear powered aircraft carriers.

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS.  This acquisition is being pursued on a sole source basis under the statutory authority of Title 10, U.S. Code 3204(a)(1), as implemented Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements”.  As the original equipment manufacturer of EMALS ESS, Kato Engineering is the only responsible source with the access, unique knowledge, experience, special skills, facilities, manufacturing techniques, and technical data required to fulfill the EMALS non-recurring engineering and testing requirements and award to another source would result in duplication of costs and unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency’s requirements. Further, NAVAIR does not have an adequate technical data package nor sufficient license rights to the technical data to support a competitive procurement.    

Companies interested in subcontracting opportunities should directly contact Kevin Joswiak, Subcontracts Manager via e-mail: kevin.joswiak@mail.nidec.com or Phone: (508) 507-0172. 

Capability statements received by the close of the synopsis may be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. There is no commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation, make an award, or be responsible for any money expended by interested parties before award of a contract for the effort described above.  Information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for or award a contract.

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