T-38 Central Fuselage Station (CFS) 505 Drill Fixtures Assemblies

• Title: Sources Sought / RFI: T-38 Central Fuselage Station (CFS) 505 Drill Fixture Assemblies


• Notice Type: Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI)


• Product Service Code (PSC): 3455 - Cutting Tools for Machine Tools (Alternative: 1560 - Airframe Structural Components)


• NAICS Code: 333514 - Special Die and Tool, Die Set, Jig, and Fixture Manufacturing (Socio-economic Size Standard: 500 Employees)


• Location: 309th Aircraft Maintenance Group (AMXG) / 575th AMXS, Randolph AFB, TX 78150

1. Disclaimer & Important Notes

This is a Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought notice only. This notice is issued solely for information, planning, and market research purposes in accordance with FAR 15.201(e). It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quotation (RFQ), or an invitation for bid.

The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information solicited. Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government will not be responsible for any costs incurred in preparing or submitting a response to this notice. All submissions will become Government property and will not be returned.

Security & Technical Drawing Access Notice: To maintain operational security, no engineering drawings, CAD models, or technical data packages will be uploaded or publicly released during this initial market research phase. The technical sourcing parameters in Section 2 provide sufficient industrial detail for facilities to assess their capabilities. During the subsequent formal solicitation phase, the complete, certified Technical Data Package (TDP)—including all JCG230321 engineering drawings and 3D CAD SolidWorks/STEP/IGES models—will be fully provided under secure DLA Joint Certification Program (JCP) verification to all qualified bidders.

2. Technical Sourcing Profile

The Department of the Air Force, 309th Aircraft Maintenance Group (AMXG), 575th AMXS, Randolph AFB, TX, is conducting market research to identify potential sources capable of manufacturing, fabricating, and delivering:

• Item Description: T-38 CFS 505 Drill Fixtures Kit (Precision drill fixture plate, custom-molded transport case, and corresponding accessories)


• Design Specification: Fabricated to Drawing Configuration JCG230321


• Quantity: Five (5) Configuration Sets


• Required Lead Time: Three (3) Months / 90 Calendar Days from contract award (Critical Path)


• FOB Point: FOB Destination (851 4th St West Bldg 241, Randolph AFB, TX 78150)

Salient Technical & Manufacturing Parameters:

• Envelope Dimensions: Approximately 14" Length x 10" Width x 6" Height (to be stored in a custom three-layer foam insert within a Pelican Model 1400 Protector Case).


• Material Requirements: High-strength tool steels (e.g., A2, D2, or pre-hardened 4140 alloys) requiring precision heat-treatment, stress-relieving, and black oxide or equivalent corrosion-resistant coating.


• Machining Operations: Substantive multi-axis CNC vertical milling, wire EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining), and precision surface grinding to hold dimensional tolerances down to $\pm$ 0.001 inches on critical interface bores.


• Packaging, Cushioning, and 3-Layer Kitting: The Pelican Model 1400 case must be configured with three (3) distinct, stacked, and nested layers of precision CNC-cut or water-jet cut, closed-cell polyethylene foam (no pick-and-pluck allowed):
  
  
  
  • Layer 1 (Top Layer): Custom-cut pockets contoured for A and D Holes on the fuselage and boattail sides.
  
  
  • Layer 2 (Middle Layer): Custom-cut pockets contoured for B Holes on the fuselage and boattail sides.
  
  
  • Layer 3 (Bottom Layer): Custom-cut pockets contoured for C Holes on the fuselage and boattail sides.
  
  
  • Each layer shall feature high-contrast lettering identifying components and center finger pulls/tabs for easy lifting.
  
  
  
  

3. Critical Sourcing & Quality Parameters

• Buy American & Specialty Metals: This requirement is subject to the Buy American statute (41 U.S.C. Chapter 83) as implemented by FAR Part 25 and DFARS Part 225. In accordance with DFARS 252.225-7009, any specialty metals (including tool steels) used to fabricate the drill fixtures must be melted or produced within the United States or a qualifying allied country.


• First Article Inspection (FAI): Unless the selected contractor is the original manufacturer or has previously fabricated this exact fixture for the USAF, a First Article Inspection in accordance with AS9102 and a certified CMM dimensional calibration sheet will be required prior to full-scale production.

4. Capability Statement Submission Requirements

Interested and capable manufacturing firms are requested to submit a Capability Statement (not exceeding 4 pages) addressing the following:

1. Company Profile: Company Name, Physical Address, CAGE Code, UEI, active Joint Certification Program (JCP) Number (DD Form 2345), and Small Business socio-economic status.


2. Machining Competency: Describe your facility's in-house equipment (e.g., multi-axis CNC mills, wire EDM, surface grinders, and Coordinate Measuring Machines) and your experience holding tolerances of $\pm$ 0.001 inches on tool steel.


3. Past Performance: Provide up to three (3) examples of similar high-tolerance aerospace assembly tooling, drill jigs, or flight-critical fixtures manufactured by your firm within the last 3 years.


4. Lead Time Feasibility: Confirm whether your firm can source raw specialty steels, program tooling paths, fabricate, perform heat treatment, and deliver 5 completed assemblies within 90 calendar days of contract award. If 90 days is not feasible, provide your best realistic lead time.


5. Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM): Provide a non-binding estimated cost range for fabricating 5 units of the drill fixture kit. If possible, please break down estimated machining labor hours versus raw material costs.

• Submission Email: joshua.akinwande.2@us.af.mil


• Submission Deadline: November 17, 2026, by 1500 MST


• Email Subject Line: RFI Response: T-38 CFS 505 Drill Fixtures - [Your Company Name]