Engine failure sidelines a JBER flightline refueler; replacement quotes close Sept. 24

A fuel truck that refuels aircraft on the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson flightline is out of commission after its engine failed completely. The Air Force is taking quotes until 1 p.m. Sept. 24 for a replacement engine, in a purchase open to any small business but restricted to a single engine brand.

Contracting officer Brendon D. Yellott signed the determination behind that restriction on Sept. 16. The 673d Logistics Readiness Squadron needs a brand-name International DT466 diesel engine to repair the R-11 refueler truck, which the Air Force says holds 6,000 gallons of JP-8 jet fuel and pumps 600 gallons a minute. That is "directly degrading base refueling capability and impacting flightline mission support," the document said.

The determination argues only the original manufacturer's engine will drop in without rework. The refueler's chassis, engine mounts, electrical wiring, cooling system and fuel-pumping drive systems were all built for that model. An alternate brand would require what the document called significant and costly modifications, and the document said downtime and retrofit costs would outweigh any savings from competition.

A brand-name restriction limits what the Air Force will accept, not who may sell it. The solicitation, FA500026Q0070, is posted on the federal contracting site SAM.gov, is set aside entirely for small businesses, and goes to the lowest-priced acceptable quote. The Air Force wants a remanufactured engine built to 2005 specifications, delivered by Dec. 29.

The determination names no vendor and no dollar figure, and it contains only the Air Force's account. The paperwork marks the purchase as falling below the simplified acquisition threshold, the $350,000 line under which federal buyers may use streamlined procedures. Under the Department of the Air Force approval matrix cited in the document, the contracting officer is the approval authority. No higher review is required before the squadron solicits the engine.