Intent to Sole Source: INSTALL RETROFIT KIT ON HPAC #1&2
DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE NAVY.NAVSEA.NAVSEA SHIPYARD.NORFOLK NAVAL SHIPYARD GF · Response deadline: Wed, 21 Oct 2026
What the government is buying
The Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia, intends to sole-source a contract for retrofit kit installation on Ship's Service High Pressure Air Compressors (HPAC) #1 and #2. This is not a competitive solicitation open to new bidders. The notice uses the combined synopsis/solicitation format but carries an "Intent to Sole Source" title, meaning the government has pre-identified a specific vendor it believes is the only source capable of performing this requirement.
NAICS 336611 covers Ship Building and Repairing. This classification includes maintenance, repair, and overhaul work on naval vessels and their auxiliary systems. HPAC systems provide compressed air for critical shipboard functions including starting diesel engines, weapons systems operation, and general ship services. Retrofit kit installations on these systems typically involve replacing or upgrading components to meet new technical standards, improve reliability, or address obsolescence.
The classification code J043 corresponds to ship and marine equipment manufacturing or repair services.
Key facts
| Agency | Department of the Navy, NAVSEA, Norfolk Naval Shipyard |
| Notice type | Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (Intent to Sole Source) |
| Solicitation number | N4215827QS0002 |
| NAICS | 336611 — Ship Building and Repairing |
| Set-aside | No Set Aside Used |
| Response deadline | October 21, 2026, 12:30 PM ET |
| Place of performance | Portsmouth, Virginia |
Who can bid
Because this is a sole-source intent notice under a combined synopsis/solicitation, the government does not expect competitive responses. However, federal acquisition regulations require agencies to publish such notices to allow potential sources to demonstrate capability and challenge the sole-source justification.
To respond as an interested party, you would need to demonstrate that you possess the specific technical qualifications, security clearances, past performance with Navy shipyard HPAC systems, and specialized tools or proprietary data that the government believes only the intended source holds. Naval shipboard compressed air system work often requires familiarity with military specifications, specific OEM technical data rights, and security credentials for shipyard access.
Given the no-set-aside determination, there is no small-business preference applied. Large and small businesses alike would need to overcome the sole-source basis to compete.
How to put together a competitive bid
If you believe you can challenge this sole-source determination, act within the very brief response window. See the solicitation for the specific capability statement requirements.
Key actions to consider:
- Demonstrate equivalent technical capability: Provide evidence of prior HPAC retrofit or repair work on comparable Navy shipboard systems, including any work involving the specific compressor model or kit.
- Address data rights and proprietary barriers: If the sole-source justification rests on proprietary technical data or OEM-authorized service status, demonstrate your independent access to equivalent data or show the government already possesses sufficient data to compete the requirement.
- Highlight security and shipyard qualifications: Norfolk Naval Shipyard requires personnel with appropriate credentials; confirm your workforce holds current clearances and shipyard access.
- Submit by the deadline: With only approximately one day between posting and response deadline, electronic submission through SAM.gov or the specified method is essential.
Next steps
Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number N4215827QS0002 to understand the sole-source justification basis, any protest procedures, and submission instructions. Note the October 21, 2026, 12:30 PM ET deadline leaves minimal time to respond if challenging the sole-source determination.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →