SAM #FA862526CB001

Air Force Sole Source Procurement of STAR XIII Mission Computers for C-130J Fleet

This notice announces the Air Force's intent to award a sole source contract for mission computers supporting the C-130J aircraft fleet. - Sole source procurement to BAE Systems, the OEM for STAR XIII Mission Computers - Approximately 829 units required (NSN 6610-01-723-6214, Part Number 697960-13) - STAR XIII MC hardware is proprietary; government lacks technical data and license rights - No other vendors identified as capable through prior sources sought notice - Contract addresses obsolescence of legacy STAR VII and STAR IX mission computers - Statutory authority cited: 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1) for other than full and open competition - Contracting office located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH - Place of performance includes Austin, TX (BAE Systems location)

Key Details - OEM: BAE Systems - Quantity: 829 mission computers - Part Number: 697960-13 - NSN: 6610-01-723-6214 - Sole source justification due to proprietary hardware and lack of alternatives

Description

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD SOLE SOURCE   The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, C-130J Program Branch (AFLCMC/WLNK), intends to award a sole source, Firm-Fixed-Price contract to BAE Systems, located in Austin, TX. This action will be for the manufacture and delivery of the Sanders Technology and Advanced Reduced Instruction Set (STAR) XIII Mission Computers (MCs) in support of the C-130J fleet.

The Government requires the procurement of approximately 829 STAR XIII Mission Computers to meet agency requirements and mitigate operational readiness risks associated with the obsolescence of the legacy STAR VII and STAR IX MCs. National Stock Number (NSN): 6610-01-723-6214. Part Number: 697960-13

BAE Systems is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and the only known source with the requisite knowledge, experience, and technical data to produce the STAR XIII MCs. The STAR XIII MC hardware is a proprietary system owned and controlled by BAE Systems. The U.S. Government does not possess the technical data, intellectual property, or license rights necessary to support a competitive procurement. Awarding the contract to any other source would result in unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency's requirements. It is estimated that developing a replacement would take approximately 10 years and cost upwards of $325M, creating a critical capabilities gap and leading to the grounding of C-130J aircraft. BAE Systems maintains the only validated and operational production line for the STAR XIII MCs and possesses an established supply chain, mitigating the risk of production delays.

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1), as implemented by RFO 6.103-1(b), which states that supplies or services may be procured from only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

In accordance with DFARS 205.205-71, a Sources Sought Synopsis (Notice ID: STARXIIIMC2025) was posted to SAM.gov from August 18, 2025, to October 3, 2025. No responses indicating an ability to perform the requirement were received from any source other than BAE Systems.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency. 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. Responses must be received within fifteen (15) calendar days of this notice's publication date. Any questions regarding this acquisition should be directed to the Contract Specialists, Tyran Knaff at e-mail: tyran.knaff@us.af.mil or Contracting Officer, Danielle Weeks at e-mail: danielle.weeks@us.af.mil.  

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