F-35 Hand on Throttle and Stick (HOTAS)

Notice Type: Synopsis of Contract Action – F-35 Hand on Throttle and Stick (HOTAS 80 Hz)

Justification, Statutory Authority: FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) – Soliciting Competition; (b)Soliciting from a single source. (1) For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold. (i) Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, and brand-name or industrial mobilization). The authority permitting the use of noncompetitive procedures is (41 U.S.C. 1901).

Contract Award Date: TBD

Contract Award Number: TBD

Synopsis:

This is a Sole Source synopsis published for informational purposes only.

The United States Air Force Test Center/Directorate of Contracting (AFTC/PZZG), Edwards AFB, CA intends to issue a sole source contract to Stirling Dynamics Limited, 230 Bristol Business Park, Stoke Gifford Bristol BS16 1FJ, United Kingdom. The contract will be executed by means of competition other than full and open. This is due to the custom-made F-35 Hand on Throttle and Stick (HOTAS) 80Hz by Stirling Dynamics Limited for Building 1030. Stirling Dynamics Limited are the manufacturer of the HOTAS 80Hz that best fits the requirement.

Description of Work:

F-35 Hand on Throttle and Stick (HOTAS) 80Hz

032A000-002 Simulated Sticks Excluding Grips, Qty of 7

033A000-002 Simulated Throttles Excluding Grips, Qty of 7

9021490300-7 Essex F-35 JSF Side stick Grip, Qty of 6

9021490400-1 Essex F-35 JSF Throttle Grip, Qty of 6

Rig Calibration and Maintenance, Qty 1

In order to comply with FAR 5.207(c)(15), the reason for lack of competition is as follows:

Stirling Dynamics Limited, manufactures 80Hz HOTAS. The F-35 flight simulator requires active control systems that provide high-fidelity, active force feedback to accurately replicate flight conditions for critical Pilot and Flight Qualification (P&FQ) missions. The essential technical requirement for these missions is the system's ability to continuously update force parameters in the stick and throttle at a rate of 80Hz. This 80Hz feedback capability is a unique and demanding requirement specific to the F-35 flight simulator.

Market research conducted by the program office concluded that Stirling Dynamics Limited is the only vendor capable of meeting this critical 80Hz active force feedback requirement. The controllers manufactured by Stirling Dynamics have demonstrated the ability to fully satisfy this need, ensuring the simulator can support its dedicated P&FQ mission. Alternative solutions are less dynamic, only allowing force feedback parameters to be pre-set once before a simulation, which fails to provide the necessary fidelity for the required training and testing scenarios. Furthermore, from a pilot's perspective, the Stirling Dynamics devices serve as form, fit, and function replicas of the actual flight-worthy controllers, ensuring a seamless and realistic transition between the simulator and the aircraft.

Stirling Dynamics Limited has a proven history of being the sole provider of this unique capability to the government. The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program has previously awarded sole-source contracts to Stirling Dynamics for the Hand On Throttle And Stick (HOTAS) systems, including contracts FA9302-14-M-K050, FA9302-19-P-5029, and FA9302-21-P-0038. This history confirms that Stirling Dynamics is the only source with the ability to meet the mission and schedule requirements for this proprietary technology. Therefore, the nature of this acquisition requires the use of a sole-source authority, as only Stirling Dynamics possesses the unique qualifications and demonstrated technology to fulfill the Government's minimum needs.

All of the F-35 cockpits have been designed around the pilot required Stirling HOTAS. The Fighter in a Box (FIAB) software also is coded to react to specific inputs from these Stirling Dynamics HOTAS. Changing the product now would require replacement of all existing Stirling Hardware which to date is a total of 45 Pairs spread out between DTTR-N, DTTR-E and the IFAST. This would result in substantial duplication of cost which is not expected to be recovered through competition. The Government previously tried to use the Aerotronics HOTAS in medium Fidelity cockpits to save money, however, the Pilots did not have real like feel and button placement as the actual aircraft stick and throttle features. These flight SIMS are not only for testing but for Training as well and need to be as close to the actual aircraft as possible. The Stirling Dynamics product meets all of the required features and aircraft placement. Therefore, Stirling Dynamics Limited represents the most advantageous option for the Government to meet this requirement.

Contractors must be registered in System for Award (SAM) at www.sam.gov

Please submit all questions, comments, and feedback regarding this product to the following Points of Contact:

 Mrs. Carmen Barahona, Contract Specialist, Email: carmen.barahona@us.af.mil

 Ms. Jenna Jacobson, Contracting Officer, Email: jenna.jacobson@us.af.mil

No telephone responses will be accepted. Any information submitted by respondents to this Synopsis of Contract Action is strictly voluntary. To the maximum extent possible, please submit non-proprietary information. Any proprietary information submitted should be identified as such and will be properly protected from disclosure. No classified information shall be submitted. Any response submitted by respondents to this Synopsis of Contract Action constitutes consent for that submission to be reviewed by Government personnel.

The Air Force Test Center has appointed an Ombudsman to consider and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition. Concerned parties should address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the Contracting Officer for resolution prior to consulting the Ombudsman. Additionally, Air Force Federal Acquisition Regulation (AFFARS) 5352.201-9101 – Ombudsman, will be included in any potential solicitation and contract for this acquisition. The AFTC Ombudsman contact information is as follows: Air Force Test Center Vice Commander 1 South Rosamond Blvd, Edwards AFB, CA 93524-3784. Phone Number (661) 277-2810, Facsimile Number (661) 277-7593, Email: aftc.workflow@us.af.mil.

DISCLAIMER AND NOTICE: This is a courtesy Synopsis of Contract Action only and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that AFTC/PZZG will take procurement action in this matter. This is NOT a request for proposals, applications, proposal abstracts, or quotation. This courtesy Synopsis of Contract Action only shall not be construed as an obligation on the part of the Government. Further, the Government will NOT be responsible nor reimburse any submitters of information for any cost incurred in furnishing this information. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed. The information provided will be used to assess trade-offs and alternatives available for the potential requirement. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted.