National Interagency Fire Center, Bureau of Land Management, 3833 S. Development Avenue, Boise, ID 83705-5354

42 -- AERIAL IGNITION DEVICE SOL RAQ990011 DUE 041999 POC Kay Ryan, Contract Specialist, 208-387-5717 The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) intends to negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) to acquire 400 cases of spherical aerial ignition devices. The government believes the only responsible source that can satisfy the agency requirements is Aerostat Inc., 8703 Airport Blvd., Leesburg, FL 34788. A justification for other than full and open competition has been prepared in support of the acquisition. The following specifications apply to this requirement. The spherical aerial ignition device is a container 32 mm (1.25 in) in diameter containing approximately 3.0 grams of potassium permanganate. The container is made from two hemispheres of high impact polystyrene that have been ultrasonically welded to form a permanent seal. These spheres look similar to ping pong balls and are often referred to as such. The spheres are packaged 1000 each per case according to current shipping regulations and each case is labeled with the recommended percentage of ethylene glycol solution needed to obtain the desired time delay. These spheres will be used with the Premo MKIII Aerial Ignition System. The spheres are designed to move from a bulk hopper down a feed chute into a slipper and valve block assembly where they are injected with ethylene glycol. The sphere then moves to an ejection tube. The rate of chemical reaction is dependent on the particle size and concentration of chemicals involved. When the sphere is injected with ethylene glycol (common antifreeze), combustion occurs within approximately 20 seconds. Potassium Permanganate is an oxidizer and must be isolated from arsenic or antimony, glycerol, phosphorus, sulphur, sulphuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, aluminum carbide, titanium, hydrogen trisulphide and ethylene glycol during storage or shipping. This simplified acquisition has an estimated value of less than $75,000. No Request for Quotation (RFQ) will be issued and no response will be made to letters or telephone requests for a copy of a solicitation. This is not a request for competitive quotes but serves as a procurement notice to fulfill public posting requirements in accordance with FAR 5.101(a)(1). This requirement is set aside for small business and SIC code 2893 Explosives applies. Responsible firms believing they can provide the required items are encouraged to identify themselves and give written notification to the Contracting Officer. They must, however, provide supporting evidence they can furnish the requested items at a cost that will not exceed the total intended transaction cost. All responses will be fully considered. If no affirmative responses are received by April 19, 1999 to the effect that a comparable source exists, an order will be placed with Aerostat, Inc. for the requirements stated here. Questions concerning this acquisition may be directed to Kay Ryan at 208-387-5717 or fax 208-387-5574. Posted 04/01/99 (W-SN315550). (0091)

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