J_A for Under SAT.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Decision to Restrict Competition under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

Identification Number: 1202SA26Q9001

Rev. 3/4/26

In accordance with the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Overhaul (RFO) part

12.102 (a), the following documents the decision to restrict competition for this acquisition.

(1) Mission Area and Contracting Activity.

Requisition Number: Pending

Requesting Activity Agency: United Stated Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (FS), National Technology & Development Program (NTDP)

Contracting Activity: National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), Incident Procurement Operations

(2) Estimated Value

Less than Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT)

(3) Brief Description of Supplies or Services

The DC-7 main parachute is one of the currently approved and required main parachutes for FS Smokejumper operations as per the FS Standards for Smokejumper Operations. The smoke jumper program ensures that proficiency is kept on two types of main parachutes to safeguard against the possibility of having an issue arise with one parachute type and being solely reliant on a single failure point. Different sizes and types of approved parachutes in the system also provide a mix of flight characteristics and capabilities which can be more favorable for different size and experience levels of smoke jumpers.

NTDP requires a one-year replenishment of proprietary parachute components to maintain the Smokejumper Ram Air Delivery System:

• DC-7 Main Canopy (P/N 811406-0): A 7-cell ram-air canopy.

• MT1S Reserve Canopy (P/N 811306-0): A 5-cell ram-air canopy.

• MT1S Deployment System (P/N 886452-0): Pilot chute and free bag assembly.

A. Suggested Source Airborne Systems North America of NJ Inc.

5800 Magnolia Ave, Pennsauken, NJ 08109 Unique Entity ID (UEI) WEYALM4WUT46 CAGE Code: 57172

(4) Justification for Restricting Competition and the Basis for that Decision.

A. Explain the unique qualifications/characteristics of the proposed contractor or product and why no other contractor or product/service can meet the Government's need.

Airborne Systems North America is the sole owner of the proprietary technical data and manufacturing rights for the DC-7 and MT1S systems. No other domestic source can provide these specific, safety-certified components. Given the life-safety nature of smokejumper

United States Department of Agriculture Decision to Restrict Competition under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold

Identification Number: 1202SA26Q9001

Rev. 3/4/26 operations and the lack of authorized alternatives on the FS Approved Equipment List, Airborne Systems is the only responsible source capable of fulfilling this requirement without causing a catastrophic delay in mission readiness and an unacceptable risk to personnel.

B. Describe market research conducted and the results or the reason why no market research was conducted.

Market research included a review of GSA Advantage and general internet searches, which confirmed other parachute manufacturers exist, none produce the DC-7 or MT1S proprietary designs required for compatibility with current FS containers. Attendance at Parachute Industry Association symposiums and meetings have not yielded alternative manufacturers being available for these products. Limited additional research was conducted due to the strict safety requirements of the FS Approved Equipment List; only products that have undergone exhaustive field testing by the NTDP and BLM are eligible for procurement

Market research confirmed that the DC-7 and MT1S are proprietary commercial products.

Because these specific models are the only items authorized by the FS Smokejumper Operations Plan for integration with current deployment hardware, research into alternative manufacturers was limited to verifying that no authorized distributors or licenses exist. Results indicate that Airborne Systems North America is the only responsible source capable of fulfilling the requirement.

Certifications & Approvals

(5) Technical / Requirements Personnel Certification I certify this requirement meets the Government’s minimum need and that the supporting data, which forms a basis for this justification, is complete and accurate.

/s/ Court Wallce

COURT WALLACE

Smokejumper Equipment Specialist/Project Manager

(6) Contracting Officer’s Certification I certify that the data supporting the recommended use of other than full and open competition accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. I hereby approve this justification.

AMELIA VELASCO

Contracting Officer