Army Corps of Engineers contract for KC-46A Tanker site in Israel

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) - Europe District is seeking interested U.S. firms capable of constructing a “Bed-down site” in Israel for a fleet of Air Force KC-46 Tanker aircraft. The Corps announced the work in a Sources Sought contract document released Tuesday.

U.S. government leaders have been pushing for the expedited delivery of the KC-46 aerial refueling tanker to Israel for some time now.

U.S. House of Representatives Mike Garcia (R-CA), August Pfluger (R-TX), Scott Franklin (R-FL), and Jake Ellzey (R-TX) announced the launch of the MACH 1 Caucus in February 2022. Members of the caucus are dedicated to policy issues important to the fighter pilot community and educating other members on these issues.

In May, the Mach 1 Caucus said the KC-46 in Israel could act as a deterrent against attacks from Iran.

The caucus called on military leaders to ensure that Israel receives and is ready to fly, these aircraft as soon as possible.

The Corps Source Sought document released on Tuesday calls for the construction of a KC-46A Bed-down site at a base in Israel with pavement improvements and five new structures (concrete and steel).

The potential acquisition includes:

KC.1 – I-Level Hangar (approx. area: 5400 m2)

KC.2 – Storage Parts/Supply Warehouse (approx. area: 1200 m2)

KC.3 – Alternative Mission Equipment Storage (approx. area: 300 m2)

KC.4 – Age Ground Equipment Shop (approx. area: 600 m2)

KC.5 – Wash Rack and Run Up Pad (approx. area: 4000 m2)

KC.6 – Pump House (approx. area: 100 m2) + Storage Tanks

“Airfield access pavement, circulation drives for deliveries and parking, utilities, grading and drainage are all required components of the construction,” the Corps said in the document. The contract is valued between $25 million and $100 million.

Interested companies must be United States prime contractors and have experience with the construction of aircraft hangars and support facilities.

All interested contractors have until Jan. 23 to submit a response to the USACE Sources Sought request.

“Should the acquisition proceed, USACE anticipates issuing the solicitation to contractors that respond to this notice in or around March 2024 and award of the contract in or around September 2024,” the Corps said.