Sources Sought ECP 1331 F/A-18 and EA-18G Brake Bleeder Valve Protective Cap

This announcement constitutes a Request for Information (RFI) to identify potential sources for the improvement, production, and retrofit associated with the incorporation of the Brake Bleeder Valve Protective Cap into the F/A-18/EA-18G aircraft weapon systems. Departures of the Brake Bleeder Valve led to rapid and complete depletion of Hydraulic (Hyd) 2A and Hyd 2B systems, resulting in loss of normal and emergency breaking and possible off-runway excursion. The Brake Bleeder Valve relies on torque application to resist backing out. No mechanical retention mechanism currently exists to prevent backing out. A mechanical retention mechanism, by way of a modified Brake Bleeder Protective Cap that can accommodate safety wire to prevent backing out and the departure of the Bleeder Valve (Part Number (PN) 2611992-5), is required to ensure all contributing factors to failure are adequately mitigated. This modification that the Government is seeking to procure will not affect form, fit, or hydraulic function of the Brake Bleeder Valve. The contractor will design a new configuration Protective Cap to meet the requirements of the Brake Assembly performance specification and provide the associated drawings/updates. The Government does not own the drawings for the Hydraulic Bleeder Valve Cap, PN 2607574. The anticipated start date is in 2nd quarter, Fiscal Year (FY) 27. NAVAIR intends to procure up to 4,800 redesigned caps for retrofit.

Vendors interested in responding shall provide a Capability Statement addressing the following:

1) a brief statement of interest/capabilities;

2) any other information at vendor discretion such as catalogs, drawings/illustrations, technical manuals, training description/material, pricing, testing documentation, brochures, and/or any other documentation that describes the capabilities, interfaces, and specifications;

3) identification of any Government customer who has procured the Brake Bleeder Valve Protective Caps or a similar, comparable product and provide customer point of contact, including a telephone number, e-mail address, or website; and

4) indication of whether your proposed solution qualifies as a 'Commercial Product' or 'Modified Commercial Product' as defined in FAR 2.101.

Responses shall be submitted electronically to the e-mail address provided below. Responses are requested by the closing of the RFI. Earliest possible response is encouraged. Responses will be reviewed, and additional information may be requested from individual vendors, if desired by the Government. The narrative capability statement shall be no more than two (2) pages (8.5 x 11-inch, 12-point font, 1.5 spaced). Vendors may submit technical appendices (e.g., catalogs, drawings, testing documentation) as a separate attachment. Technical appendices will not count against the 2-page narrative limit.

The capability statement package shall be sent via email to caroline.r.brown4.civ@us.navy.mil. Submissions must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on 16 July 2026. Questions or comments regarding this notice may be addressed to caroline.r.brown4.civ@us.navy.mil. All responses shall include Company Name, Company Address, Company CAGE Code, Company Business Size, and Point of Contact (POC) including name, phone number, and email address.

This RFI does not constitute a commitment from the Government to issue a solicitation, make an award or awards, or be responsible for any monies expended by any interested party in support of the effort described above. It is a market research tool being used to determine potential and eligible firms capable of providing the supplies/services described herein prior to determining the method of acquisition and issuance of a Request for Proposal. The Government reserves the right to review and use the data submitted at its own discretion. Upon request, the Government will protect proprietary information from unwanted disclosure. Any such requests shall be submitted with the statement of capabilities. Any contract actions that the Government intends to procure in the future will be synopsized on the Government-wide Point of Entry (GPE) as applicable in accordance with FAR 5.201(b).