The U.S. Air Force’s A-10 Thunderbolt II is being significantly affected by a dramatic rule change in contracting established by the 2008 Defense Authorization Act.

The legislation, signed in January 2008, stipulates that DOD contracts exceeding $100 million be awarded to multiple contractors. Lockheed Martin may be the first large contractor to deal with the changes when it is forced to give up its role as prime contractor on the A-10 modification package and compete for the work.

Bob Silver, Lockheed Martin’s business development manager for the aircraft, said, “The Air Force is required by law to do this. And they understand the legacy of experience we have on the A-10.”

The kits that upgrade the A-10 A-model to a C-model are still sole-sourced to Lockheed. “We provided them the best value,” Silver said. The Air Force will oversee all modifications above and beyond the A-10 Precision Engagement aircraft under the Thunderbolt Lifecycle Program Support (TLPS) contract with a $1.6 billion ceiling over five years, with a five-year option.

Silver said he was unsure when a final request for proposals would be released for the Air Force’s task order contract, under which three contracts will be awarded. Silver said three associate prime contractors will be qualified by the Air Force to perform work on the A-10 and then asked to compete for individual task delivery orders for bundles of work.

“The government feels this is the best path forward,” Silver said. “And our goal is to keep the A-10 modernized and sustained for the rest of its life.”

Photo: USAF