BLM, BC-660, Bldg #50, Denver Federal Center, P.O. Box 25047, Denver, CO 80225-0047

42 -- AERIAL IGNITION DEVICES SOL NES000001 DUE 011100 POC John Sherman, Facsimile number (303) 236-9470 E-MAIL: Click here to contact the Contracting Officer via, jsherman@sc.blm.gov. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) at the National Business Center intends to negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 using the Commercial Item procedures to acquire a minimum of 800 cases a year, for a potential five years, under an Indefinite Delivery Indefinate Quantity (ID/IQ) contract, of spherical aerial ignition devices for the National Interagency Fire Center, BLM Alaska Fire Center and other Federal Land Management field offices. The Government believes the only responsible source that can satisfy these 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 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 polystryrene that have 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 regulation and each case is labeled with the recommended percentage of ethylene glycol solution needed to obtain the desired time delay. The spherical aerial device works in combination with the Premo MK III Aerial Ignition System (also a product of Aerostat Inc.) The MK III launches the spheres from a helicopter. Numerous Federal Land Management offices already have and are using this launching device. The spheres are designed to move 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 particular size and concentration of chemicals involved. When the sphere is injected the 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 acquisition, based on the minimum order quantity and for a five year period of performance, has an estimated value of $791,280. No request for proposals (RFP) will be issued and no response will be made to letter or telephone requests for a copy of a solicitation. This is not a request for competitive proposals, 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 the SIC code 2893 (explosives) applies. Responsible firms are encouraged to identify themselves and give written notification to the Contracting Officer. They must, however, provide supporting evidence that 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 January 11, 2000 to the effect that a comparable source exists, a contract will be placed with Aerostat, Inc. for the requirements stated herein. See Notes (1) and (22). Posted 12/13/99 (W-SN407948). (0347)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0157 19991215\42-0001.SOL)