SP26.12B - NASA 945 STA Aircraft Repaint

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center Commission seeks proposals from qualified firms for the exterior paint restoration of the NASA 945 STA Aircraft on static display at the museum.
The purpose for this RFP is to have interested and qualified professionals provide an itemized proposal which details the exterior repainting restoration of the STA Aircraft at its permanent display location at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.

RFQ SPECIFICATIONS:

• The aircraft must be repainted such that it remains visually appealing and authentically accurate for display purposes over a long period of time. This includes UV resistant clear coat.
• The aircraft can be painted with the aircraft paint of the contractor’s choice. It can be of single-stage or base/topcoat variety. Environmental concerns of dust & debris leans towards recommend a two-stage system.
• The contractor shall accurately reproduce the existing livery pattern using stencils. USSRC will provide the necessary artwork.
• The contractor shall provide all necessary equipment to perform the refurbishment of the STA (i.e. all paint application equipment, lift equipment, scaffolding, ladders, personal air circulation and filtration equipment, air filters, plastic for masking and encapsulation, disposal methods, cleaning supplies and all other consumables)
• The contractor shall completely encapsulate their workspace such that absolutely no overspray is transported to surrounding exhibits or structures.
• The Contractor shall use mechanical means to prep the surface for paint. If media blasting is used, only dry ice or plastic abrasive media can be used, and all material must be contained and disposed by the contractor. No mapping of any underlying existing paint can be visible through the new coating
• The contractor shall mount, with appropriate fasteners, the original tailpiece (in USSRC archives) onto the aircraft after painting.
• The contractor shall clean all non-painted surfaces. All polished surfaces are to be repolished after painting activities are completed.
• The contractor shall paint all existing exterior painted surfaces including the landing gear attachment brackets bolted to the concrete pedestals.
• The contractor painting efforts shall include all insignias, labels and other signage, original to the aircraft, reproduced with authentic accuracy.
• The Contractor shall mask and otherwise protect all aircraft glass from damage
• The contractor shall use extreme care not to fill in panel gaps or screw heads with excess paint.
• The contractor shall cover/mask-off exposed interior surfaces (i.e. landing gear bays, landing gear, cockpit, etc.) to protect from overspray.
• Timeframe for this work is April 2026 to May 2026. The contractor must commit to this timeframe to qualify.

• Sealed Itemized Bid on official Vendor Letterhead
• Certificate of Insurance
• DHS E-Verify Document
• Alabama Vendor Disclosure Form
• Valid Business License
• Federal W-9 form
• Three (3) examples of similar work with exhibit restorations completed within the past five (5) years.
• A synopsis of your company’s safety record and procedures.