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KC135_LifeRaft_Securing_Device
Response Deadline
Oct 9, 2026, 8:00 PM(CDT)11 days
Eligibility
Contract Type
Sources Sought
The KC-135 fleet currently lacks engineering-approved, standardized methods for securing critical life-saving equipment, presenting a severe risk to crew safety during emergencies. While the raft position aft of the left overwing hatch utilizes secure, hard-mounted straps, the remaining stowage areas—forward of the left overwing hatch and forward of the aft hatch—rely on non-standard, field-expedient restraints such as passenger seatbelts or cargo tie-down straps attached to troop seat support bars. This lack of standardization introduces two critical vulnerabilities: it risks delaying crew evacuation times due to unfamiliarity with varied tie-down methods, and it leaves the crashworthiness of the rafts unverified by engineering authorities. To mitigate these safety risks while minimizing program cost and scope, the position aft of the right hatch will be eliminated from the aircraft configuration. Consequently, this modification effort seeks to develop and implement a field-level Time Compliance Technical Order (TCTO) to standardize and modify the remaining forward-left and forward-aft raft positions, replicating the robust, hard-mounted strap design currently utilized at the aft-left hatch location.
Dylan Amrein
Trae Warcup
DEPT OF DEFENSE
DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE
AIR FORCE MATERIEL COMMAND
AIR FORCE LIFE CYCLE MANAGEMENT CENTER
MOBILITY AIRCRAFT
FA8105 AFLCMC WKK
FA8105 AFLCMC WKK
CP 405 736 4908
3001 STAFF DR STE 2AI 85A
TINKER AFB, OK, 73145-3303
NAICS
Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
PSC
MISCELLANEOUS AIRCRAFT ACCESSORIES AND COMPONENTS
Set-Aside
Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)