SAM #2026DFANInternalForceBalanceCalibrationBodyNOI

Sole Source Notice: Internal Force Balance Calibration Body Kit for USAFA

This notice announces the U.S. Air Force Academy's intent to award a sole source contract for a specialized calibration body kit. - Agency: U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), 10th Contracting Squadron - Sole Source Vendor: Aerophysics Research Instruments, LLC - OEM and sole intellectual property owner of the 0.75" Mk LVI Balance - Product Required: Internal Force Balance Calibration Body Kit - Must be 100% compatible with the existing 0.75" Mk LVI Balance - Ensures mechanical integrity and valid aerodynamic testing - Prevents catastrophic failure during high-load calibrations - Justification: Only Aerophysics Research Instruments, LLC possesses proprietary engineering drawings and tolerancing data - No alternative vendors identified; procurement is non-competitive - NAICS Code: 334519 (Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing) - PSC Code: 6635 (Physical Properties Testing and Inspection) - Anticipated Award Date: 30 September 2026 - Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price

Product Line Item: - Calibration Body Kit for 0.75" Mk LVI Balance (1 unit)

Commercial Opportunity: - No competition due to proprietary requirements; only Aerophysics Research Instruments, LLC can supply the item - Potential competitors would need access to proprietary data and engineering drawings

Technical Accessibility: - The calibration kit is critical for safe, accurate aerodynamic testing and system integrity - Compatibility with the existing balance system is mandatory

Description

Please see attached.

The US Air Force Academy (USAFA) intends to award a sole source contract using simplified commercial procedures in accordance with RFO part 12 to:

Aerophysics Research Instruments, LLC

This is a small business located at:1869 Pomona RD STE A, Corona, California 92878-3289, United States

The authority for this non-competitive award is RFO 12.102(a), as the Contracting Officer has determined that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source to be available. The NAICS code for this requirement is 334519 and the PSC code is 6635. The size standard as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration is 600 employees.The Government has determined Aerophysics Research Instruments, LLC to be a responsible contractor with respect to performance and the only responsible source that will satisfy USAFA’s requirement because:

a) Aerophysics Research Instruments, LLC is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and sole intellectual property owner of the 0.75" Mk LVI Balance currently in use. They are the only source that possesses the proprietary engineering drawings and tolerancing data required to manufacture a 100% compatible calibration body kit. A compatible kit is required to prevent catastrophic mechanical failure during high-load calibrations and to ensure validity of aerodynamic testing data. A detailed search on gsaadvantage.gov and other government sources of supply provided no vendors identified that can provide this commodity.

Responses and questions shall be submitted to the points of contact Dawson Hopkinson at dawson.hopkinson@us.af.mil and Melinda Lingley, Contracting Officer at melinda.lingley@us.af.mil no later than 10:00 AM, MDT on 17 June 2026. Responses received after this will be considered late and will not be evaluated.

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