Request for Bids/Proposals

September 9, 2026

SOLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT JUSTIFICATION AND NOTIFICATION

Albuquerque Aviation Academy
6441 Ventana Rd NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114

Proposed Contractor:
Redbird Flight
301 Vista Ridge Drive, Suite 300
Kyle, TX 78640

Total Procurement Amount: $24,757.00

Purpose of Procurement:

Albuquerque Aviation Academy intends to award a contract in the total amount of $24,757.00 to Redbird Flight for equipment, software, installation, and related services necessary to upgrade the Academy’s existing commercial-grade Redbird Flight Simulator. The procurement includes the Simulator CPU Upgrade, RealNav Professional Annual Subscription, FMX/SD 27" Monitor Upgrade, Horizon Pro Monitor Expansion Kit, shipping, and Installation Manager services.

Sole Source Determination and Justification:

Pursuant to the New Mexico Procurement Code, including NMSA 1978, § 13-1-126, and applicable New Mexico procurement regulations, Albuquerque Aviation Academy has determined that this procurement qualifies as a sole source procurement.

The Academy’s existing flight simulator is a proprietary, commercial-grade Redbird Flight Simulator. The proposed procurement is not for general computer equipment or stand-alone components that can reasonably be obtained from interchangeable vendors. Rather, the equipment, software, configuration, installation, and technical services must integrate with and function properly within the existing Redbird simulator platform.

Redbird Flight is the manufacturer and sole source capable of providing the specific proprietary equipment, software, system knowledge, technical expertise, configuration, and installation services necessary to ensure that the proposed upgrades are fully compatible with the Academy’s existing simulator. Redbird Flight can provide manufacturer-supported and guaranteed integration of these components into the existing commercial-grade system.

Based upon a good-faith review of the requirements of the existing simulator and the specialized nature of the proposed upgrades, Albuquerque Aviation Academy has determined that:

1. Redbird Flight is the only source capable of providing the required equipment, proprietary software, manufacturer-specific technical expertise, and installation services necessary for the existing Redbird Flight Simulator;
2. The equipment and services are unique, and that uniqueness is substantially related to the intended purpose of the procurement because all components must be compatible with, properly configured for, and integrated into the Academy’s existing commercial-grade Redbird Flight Simulator; and
3. Other similar equipment, vendors, installers, or service providers cannot meet the intended purpose of the procurement because they cannot guarantee manufacturer compatibility, integration, functionality, system support, or performance with the existing Redbird simulator.

Attempting to procure individual components or installation services from unrelated third-party vendors would create an unacceptable risk of incompatibility, improper installation, reduced simulator functionality, loss of manufacturer support, or damage to the existing system. Such an approach would therefore not meet the intended purpose of this procurement.

Accordingly, Albuquerque Aviation Academy has determined that competition is not practicable for this procurement because no other vendor can provide an equivalent combination of proprietary Redbird-compatible equipment, software, manufacturer expertise, installation, and guaranteed compatibility with the Academy’s existing simulator.

Award:

Subject to completion of all applicable New Mexico procurement review, approval, notice, posting, and documentation requirements, Albuquerque Aviation Academy intends to award this sole source procurement to:

Redbird Flight
301 Vista Ridge Drive, Suite 300
Kyle, TX 78640

Total Contract Amount: $24,757.00

The contract will include:

• Simulator CPU Upgrade
• RealNav Professional Annual Subscription
• FMX/SD 27" Monitor Upgrade
• Horizon Pro Monitor Expansion Kit
• Shipping
• Installation Manager

This determination is based upon the unique and proprietary nature of the existing Redbird Flight Simulator and the Academy’s conclusion, following due diligence and a good-faith review of the procurement requirements, that Redbird Flight is the only source capable of meeting the intended purpose of this procurement.

Amanda Catanzaro, Director of Operations / Chief Procurement Officer