A. Overview of Expertise and Experience
Kay and Associates, Inc. (KAI) is an ISO 9001:2000 registered Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering Services Company that provides testing and repair of precision measurement equipment, calibration of test, measurement and diagnostic equipment (TMDE), aircraft maintenance, logistics and engineering services to meet customer demands worldwide.
KAI offers aviation maintenance and modification capability in support of rotary and fixed-wing assets in both military and commercial aircraft inventories. Our PMEL and TMDE pedigree includes: Physical Dimensional measurement such as pressure, temperature, force, specific gravity, torque, humidity, fluid flow, length and volume, and Electronics and Microwave measurement such as capacitance, time/frequency, AC/DC voltage, AC/DC current, RF Power, phase, RF Voltage, attenuation, VSWR and resistance.
We have experience on several past and present programs that is specifically applicable to the requirements of SeaPort-e. From 1980 to 1993 we set up and staffed depot level Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratories (PMEL) for the United States Navy at NAS Sigonella, NAS Capodichino, NAVSTA Rota and NAS Bermuda. We provided over 100 engineers, technicians and LSRs to support various land and sea-based customers, including support aboard carriers.
The focus for the world wide US Navy program was in support of carrier battle groups’ electrical, mechanical and chemical testing for deployed aircraft aboard the carriers; ships mechanical and electronic systems; systems that tested aviators’ breathing oxygen systems for hydrocarbon contamination and spectrophotometer systems used for spectrum oil analysis for jet engines; and systems aboard deployed Marine ships carrying personnel, helicopters, and ground fighting equipment. Support also included support ships such as oil tankers and other vessels. Support was supplied for geographical area activities such as land based US Navy units, US Air Force Units, US Army units and NATO Forces deployed in Southern Europe. Other calibration facilities supported land based Navy units, deployed naval aircraft at land bases, aircraft rework facilities, electrical/electronic/mechanical systems refurbishment facilities, and other activities located in the geographical area of the calibration laboratories.
From 1983 to 2000 we supported the calibration effort for the Kuwait Air Force. Their PMEL was staffed with our management, engineers, technicians, logistic support representatives and administrative support personnel to provide the Kuwait Air Force with the production support and training necessary to meet their operational requirements. To meet their goal of self-sufficiency, this effort included a vast training program for both Kuwait personnel and the Third Country Nationals employed by our Company.
The Kuwait PMEL structure was comprised of one Standards/Depot Laboratory with three Type III laboratories located in outlying areas. We were tasked to upgrade the measurement capabilities of the main facility to a Type I Laboratory. This task was well underway when Kuwait was invaded in 1990, at which time the facilities were destroyed. We returned to Kuwait following its liberation and refurbished their main laboratory and reestablished its measurement capabilities and the outlying labs. By the year 2000, we had reestablished the facilities again and were progressing towards a standards lab capability in the select areas of physical dimensional and some electronic (frequency) areas. Our services also included the design, development and implementation of a calibration facility for the Kuwait Army.
KAI, either as Prime to the U.S. Air Force or Sub-contractor to Wyle Laboratories, currently employs calibration technicians, engineers and logistic support representatives for US Navy customers throughout the continental USA and overseas. In addition we support the National Science Foundation consistent with Type II and III and depot level requirements out of New Zealand. The New Zealand facility provides calibration, repair and logistical (recall) services to activities associated with the U.S. Antarctic Program and to other activities as directed by higher authority. A mix of electronics and engineering technicians staff the laboratory. The laboratory maintains its traceability through an established network of higher echelon laboratories. The Calibration Laboratory has two types of calibration standards, primary and working. Our staff transfers the accuracy of primary standards to working standards, which are then used to certify customer requirements. Prior to August 1999, the New Zealand Metrology lab was operated by the US Navy in support of its Antarctic Development Squadron (VXE6). These missions were taken over by the 109th Air National Guard Detachment and the Navy decided to close the lab. However, the National Science Foundation (NSF) contracted the Navy to maintain the lab. In September 1999, the U.S. Navy signed over to the NSF all buildings, facilities, office equipment and furnishings and subcustodied to the NSF all of the laboratory’s calibration standards. On September 17th, the Lab opened with technicians employed by Kay and Associates to support NSF’s Antarctic calibration requirements at McMurdo, the South Pole and at Christchurch.
In the USA, we have personnel in facilities at Whidbey Island, WA and Miramar, CA. We support geographical area customers in all aspects of the electrical and mechanical testing and analysis areas and are capable of relocating to any place requiring their expertise. At the New Orleans facility we support geographical area customers with focus on support of the NAVAIR rework effort at that location. Their efforts cover all aspects of electrical and mechanical testing and analysis. The facility at Whidbey Island, WA supports local area customers in electrical, mechanical and chemical testing and analysis. KAI personnel have developed the only US Navy chemical analysis program that tests for and eliminates hydrocarbons from aviation oxygen breathing equipment in the northwest sector of the US.
In addition to our history supporting U.S. Navy Labs and FMS customers, since May 2002 KAI has supported the U.S. Air Force PMEL Lab at Robins AFB (RFP F09650-01-R-0256) for operation of their Type II PMEL Lab. The source selection committee PRAG summary for that procurement noted that our personnel had (1) good knowledge of metrology process, (2) good customer support and (3) provides highly qualified technicians. The PRAG summary also noted: “Based on the contractor’s performance record and various respondent comments, essentially no doubt exists that the Offeror (KAI) will successfully perform the required effort and a confidence assessment rating of Exceptional/High Confidence is assigned.”
Since 1961, KAI has also earned a solid reputation as a responsive, reliable and innovative source of quality technical and professional services in the fields of aircraft maintenance support, technical training and CV interoperability testing.
KAI's training support began with our providing a formal maintenance and OJT training program to a Kuwait Air Force national workforce. Our OJT program encompassed maintenance tasks ranging from basic administrative duties to complex aircraft/equipment testing, troubleshooting, and repair. Additionally KAI personnel developed formal training to support SOP programs similar to those found in the U.S. Navy aircraft maintenance environment.
More recently, KAI provided A-4 Skyhawk transition training to the Brazilian Navy as it began to operate its first fixed wing aircraft. This effort encompassed a variety of services, including;
As mandated by the customer, all of the above training was conducted to U.S. Navy NATOPS and NAMP standards. The success with which KAI accomplished this effort earned the "Naval Order of Merit” awarded by Government of Brazil “For extraordinary and exceptional service in support of the Brazilian Navy VF-1 (A4KU) aircraft maintenance, maintenance training, flight training, maintenance test flight (FCFs) and logistics support requirements at Sao Pedro Naval Air Base, Brazil.”
Today, KAI continues to provide technical training to U.S. Navy personnel at several locations and on a variety of equipment, including the C-130, Aviation Ground Support Equipment, and the F/A-18.
B. Specific Contract Experience
1. 3.15 Measure Facilities/Ranges
APSC00381
As a subcontractor to WYLE LABORATORIES, (KAI) provides CMS and CETS PMEL personnel for assignments at NAS New Orleans, Christchurch, NZ, Diego Garcia, Malaysia, Whidbey Island, WA, Guam and MCBH Kaneohe, HI. The services provided include testing, certification, calibration, repair, maintenance, trouble shooting, and alignment of gauges calipers, aircraft fixtures, optics, scopes, meters, electronic devices, flow devices, vibration devices, tension devices, illumination devices, sound devices, and dimensional devices. We also provide operations and technical engineering assistance, training, and maintenance services at various sites as directed.
F09650-02-C-0025
Under this Air Force contract, KAI manages, tests, calibrates, repairs and certifies all equipment set forth in Calibration and Measurement System (CMS) and TO 33K-1-100-2 which is authorized to be repaired and/or calibrated in the Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory (PMEL) at WR-ALC, Robins AFB, Georgia.
USAF calibration laboratories (both the Air Force Primary Standards Laboratory (AFPSL) and Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratories (PMEL)) utilize 562d Combat Sustainment Group (CBSG) approved calibration procedures and operate laboratories in accordance with AFMETCAL Program requirements contained in T.O. 00-20-14. The AFMETCAL program adheres to the general requirements of ISO 17025. Additionally, laboratories must participate in the AFMETCAL Assessment and Certification Program.
The Assessment and Certification Program objective is to assess each laboratory's compliance with T.O. 00-20-14 and capability to perform measurements that are accurate, uniform, reliable, and traceable through the AFPSL to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) or other 562d CBSG approved sources. An AFMETCAL Program Certificate of Compliance is awarded when a laboratory meets assessment criteria.
It should be noted that the WR-ALC Lab had failed to achieve certification under the previous contractor and that preparation for certification assessment typically requires a minimum of 1 year. However, KAI’s Mobilization Plan, one that focused on hiring more highly trained employees and quality system implementation, ensured Lab certification 6 months after contract start.
Beginning with that initial certification audit, KAI has continued to maintain WR-ALC PMEL certification through the management of an extensive Quality Management Plan that features:
* Strict adherence to Air Force Metrology and Calibration Command regulatory guidance for quality;
* Inspection personnel;
* Partnership and cooperation with Government contract managers
2. 3.18 Training
N68936-05-D-0047
The tasking under this IDIQ contract, within the guidance of the NAMP (OPNAV 4790.2 series), provides training and “O” and “I” level CFS augmentation to US Navy aircraft, GSE and PMEL maintenance departments. KAI also performs maintenance, repair and calibration of U.S. Navy ATE in accordance with applicable ATE technical publications.
Our challenge in providing these services has been ensuring that the Navy is provided trained and certified augmentees to accomplish all maintenance and flight operations in compliance with the Naval Aviation Maintenance Program. Personnel qualifications are often very narrowly defined, with specialized skill set/certification requirements that can necessitate recruiting froman extremely limited universe of qualified candidates. Accordingly, the contractor must possess staffing resources that can quickly locate, qualify and recruit uniquely qualified individuals, often for tasks that are remotely located for extended periods.
We meet this challenge through our Quality Management System, (QMS) ISO 9001:2000, which governs hiring and retention of personnel, contract compliance and customer satisfaction. It is independently audited (ISO Surveillance Audit) on a semi-annual basis.
3. 3.20 Program Support
N00421-00-D-0357
KAI provided the Kuwait Air Force (KAF) F/A-18 Project Office with Program Support in the areas of Avionics, Airframes, Power Plants, Armament and Financial Management. In each system area, KAI reps evaluated KAF F/A-18 training requirements for KAF technicians, maintained active liaison with U.S. Navy counterparts on specific technical issues, coordinated with appropriate technical experts to resolve specific KAF F/A-18 technical problems, in addition to providing the KAF with recommendations for repair, calibration and/or modification of the wide variety of complex PME, GSE and PGSE associated with the F/A-18 aircraft. KAI also monitored, tracked, and reported on financial aspects of this major contract in support of the Business Finance Manager (BFM) in the Program Office. Verified and analyzed all invoices and reports and recommended solutions for the resolution of any discrepancies identified. Provided independent technical assessments and financial analyses in support of the Program Office.