F - 35 Hand on Throttle and Stick ( HOTAS )

2026-11-03

Notice Type : Synopsis of Contract Action – F - 35 Hand on Throttle and Stick ( HOTAS 80 Hz ) Justification , Statutory Authority : FAR 13 . 106 - 1 ( b )( 1 )( i ) – Soliciting Competition ; ( b ) Soliciting from a single source . ( 1 ) For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold . ( i ) Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available ( e . g ., urgency , exclusive licensing agreements , and brand - name or industrial mobilization ). The authority permitting the use of noncompetitive procedures is ( 41 U . S . C . 1901 ). Contract Award Date : TBDContract Award Number : TBDSynopsis : This is a Sole Source synopsis published for informational purposes only . The United States Air Force Test Center / Directorate of Contracting ( AFTC / PZZG ), Edwards AFB , CA intends to issue a sole source contract to Stirling Dynamics Limited , 230 Bristol Business Park , Stoke Gifford Bristol BS16 1FJ , United Kingdom . The contract will be executed by means of competition other than full and open . This is due to the custom - made F - 35 Hand on Throttle and Stick ( HOTAS ) 80Hz by Stirling Dynamics Limited for Building 1030 . Stirling Dynamics Limited are the manufacturer of the HOTAS 80Hz that best fits the requirement . Description of Work : F - 35 Hand on Throttle and Stick ( HOTAS ) 80Hz032A000 - 002 Simulated Sticks Excluding Grips , Qty of 7033A000 - 002 Simulated Throttles Excluding Grips , Qty of 79021490300 - 7 Essex F - 35 JSF Side stick Grip , Qty of 69021490400 - 1 Essex F - 35 JSF Throttle Grip , Qty of 6Rig Calibration and Maintenance , Qty 1In order to comply with FAR 5 . 207 ( c )( 15 ), the reason for lack of competition is as follows : Stirling Dynamics Limited , manufactures 80Hz HOTAS . The F - 35 flight simulator requires active control systems that provide high - fidelity , active force feedback to accurately replicate flight conditions for critical Pilot and Flight Qualification ( P & FQ ) missions . The essential technical requirement for these missions is the system ' s ability to continuously update force parameters in the stick and throttle at a rate of 80Hz . This 80Hz feedback capability is a unique and demanding requirement specific to the F - 35 flight simulator . Market research conducted by the program office concluded that Stirling Dynamics Limited is the only vendor capable of meeting this critical 80Hz active force feedback requirement . The controllers manufactured by Stirling Dynamics have demonstrated the ability to fully satisfy this need , ensuring the simulator can support its dedicated P & FQ mission . Alternative solutions are less dynamic , only allowing force feedback parameters to be pre - set once before a simulation , which fails to provide the necessary fidelity for the required training and testing scenarios . Furthermore , from a pilot ' s perspective , the Stirling Dynamics devices serve as form , fit , and function replicas of the actual flight - worthy controllers , ensuring a seamless and realistic transition between the simulator and the aircraft . Stirling Dynamics Limited has a proven history of being the sole provider of this unique capability to the government . The Joint Strike Fighter ( JSF ) program has previously awarded sole - source contracts to Stirling Dynamics for the Hand On Throttle And Stick ( HOTAS ) systems , including contracts FA9302 - 14 - M - K050 , FA9302 - 19 - P - 5029 , and FA9302 - 21 - P - 0038 . This history confirms that Stirling Dynamics is the only source with the ability to meet the mission and schedule requirements for this proprietary technology . Therefore , the nature of this acquisition requires the use of a sole - source authority , as only Stirling Dynamics possesses the unique qualifications and demonstrated technology to fulfill the Government ' s minimum needs . All of the F - 35 cockpits have been designed around the pilot required Stirling HOTAS . The Fighter in a Box ( FIAB ) software also is coded to react to specific inputs from these Stirling Dynamics HOTAS . Changing the product now would require replacement of all existing Stirling Hardware which to date is a total of 45 Pairs spread out between DTTR - N , DTTR - E and the IFAST . This would result in substantial duplication of cost which is not expected to be recovered through competition . The Government previously tried to use the Aerotronics HOTAS in medium Fidelity cockpits to save money , however , the Pilots did not have real like feel and button placement as the actual aircraft stick and throttle features . These flight SIMS are not only for testing but for Training as well and need to be as close to the actual aircraft as possible . The Stirling Dynamics product meets all of the required features and aircraft placement . Therefore , Stirling Dynamics Limited represents the most advantageous option for the Government to meet this requirement . Contractors must be registered in System for Award ( SAM ) at www . sam . govPlease submit all questions , comments , and feedback regarding this product to the following Points of Contact : Mrs . Carmen Barahona , Contract Specialist , Email : carmen . barahona @ us . af . mil  Ms . Jenna Jacobson , Contracting Officer , Email : jenna . jacobson @ us . af . milNo telephone responses will be accepted . Any information submitted by respondents to this Synopsis of Contract Action is strictly voluntary . To the maximum extent possible , please submit non - proprietary information . Any proprietary information submitted should be identified as such and will be properly protected from disclosure . No classified information shall be submitted . Any response submitted by respondents to this Synopsis of Contract Action constitutes consent for that submission to be reviewed by Government personnel . The Air Force Test Center has appointed an Ombudsman to consider and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors , potential offerors , and others for this acquisition . Concerned parties should address their concerns , issues , disagreements , and / or recommendations to the Contracting Officer for resolution prior to consulting the Ombudsman . Additionally , Air Force Federal Acquisition Regulation ( AFFARS ) 5352 . 201 - 9101 – Ombudsman , will be included in any potential solicitation and contract for this acquisition . The AFTC Ombudsman contact information is as follows : Air Force Test Center Vice Commander 1 South Rosamond Blvd , Edwards AFB , CA 93524 - 3784 . Phone Number ( 661 ) 277 - 2810 , Facsimile Number ( 661 ) 277 - 7593 , Email : aftc . workflow @ us . af . mil . DISCLAIMER AND NOTICE : This is a courtesy Synopsis of Contract Action only and does not constitute a commitment , implied or otherwise , that AFTC / PZZG will take procurement action in this matter . This is NOT a request for proposals , applications , proposal abstracts , or quotation . This courtesy Synopsis of Contract Action only shall not be construed as an obligation on the part of the Government . Further , the Government will NOT be responsible nor reimburse any submitters of information for any cost incurred in furnishing this information . The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate . Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed . The information provided will be used to assess trade - offs and alternatives available for the potential requirement . Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted .

California

2026-03-27