115 FW Aircraft Arresting System Barrier Arms

Pre-solicitation Notice: Intent to Award a Sole Source Contract

1. Date:
April 3, 2026

2. Year:
Fiscal Year 2026

3. Contracting Office:
115 Mission Support Group/Mission Support Contracting
DODAAC: W50S9F

4. Product or Service Code (PSC):
1710 - Aircraft Launching, Landing, and Ground Handling Equipment

5. NAICS Code:
336413 - Other Aircraft Part and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing

6. Contracting Office Address:
3110 Mitchell Street
Madison, WI 53704

7. Subject:
Sole Source Acquisition of BAK-14 Aircraft Arresting System Barrier Arm Components

8. Proposed Solicitation Number:
W50S9F26Q0006

9. Closing Response Date:
April 20, 2026

10. Contracting Officer:
Lt Col Dave Mattila
3110 Mitchell Street
Madison, WI 53704

11. Description:
This is a notice of intent to award a sole-source contract. The Wisconsin Air National Guard intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source, CURTISS-WRIGHT FLOW CONTROL SERVICE LLC, dba ENGINEERED ARRESTING SYSTEMS – ESCO, for the procurement of the BAK-14 High-speed Rollover Support Box Assembly. 

The BAK-14 is a retractable hook cable system designed to be used in conjunction with energy absorbers like the BAK-12 system. It allows the arresting cable to be lowered below the runway surface, making it ideal for joint-use airfields that accommodate both military and civilian aircraft. This acquisition is for the procurement of improved BAK-14 system barrier arms, approved by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, which are required for installation at Truax Field, Madison, WI 53704. These components are critical for ensuring the safety of flight operations for hook-equipped aircraft during emergency landings or aborted takeoffs.

12. Place of Contract Performance:

115 Fight Wing
Truax Field
Madison, WI 53704

13. Set-aside Status:

N/A

14. Justification for Lack of Competition:
The authority for this action is FAR 6.103-1, "Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements." 

CURTISS-WRIGHT FLOW CONTROL SERVICE LLC, dba ENGINEERED ARRESTING SYSTEMS – ESCO is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the existing BAK-12 energy absorbers currently installed at the designated location. The BAK-14 system must be fully compatible with the existing infrastructure to ensure safe and reliable operation. Procurement from the OEM is essential to guarantee seamless integration, maintain system certification, and prevent unacceptable risks and delays associated with using non-OEM components. Only the OEM possesses proprietary data, specialized tooling, and unique expertise required to furnish the components that meet the government's critical safety and operational requirements.

Lastly, both the BAK-14M and Type-H are the only systems approved for use by the United States Air Force, for which Curtiss-Wright Arresting Systems / ESCO is the OEM and sole provider.

15. Statement of Consideration:
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 action based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

16. Technical Data:

Not applicable.

17. Qualification Requirement:

Not applicable.