Notice of Intent to Sole Source Descenders (1).docx

SPECIAL NOTICE 12318722Q0118

Description: NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE The US Forest Service (USFS), Washington Office Procurement and Property Services National Contracting Branch, (herein after referred to as “WOPPS”) intends to issue a Firm Fixed Priced contract under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services will Satisfy Agency Requirements, on or about February 4, 2022 to Yates Gear Inc. for the USFS, National Technology & Development Program (NTDP) located in Missoula, Montana.

This requirement includes the purchase of 184 “ISC D4 Endurance Descenders USFSD4” for the National Rappel Program. The “ISC D4 Endurance Descenders USFSD4” are used by Helicopter Rappel Personnel for safe and approved helicopter rappelling. The ISC D4 Endurance Descenders USFSD4 are a key component of the National Rappel Program used by operators in wildland fire fighting rappelling operations. The ISC D4 Endurance Descenders USFSD4 are the only model that passed stringent field testing and evaluations and is currently the only approved descender for USFS rappelling operations as per the USFS Rappelling Operations Plan and approved equipment list. Due to the proprietary nature of this descender, it is not available from other vendors. The purchase of the ISC D4 Endurance Descenders USFSD4 is needed to increase the current USFS inventory to ensure mission readiness, enhance operation capabilities, and maintain the level of safety required for operators. The ISC D4 Endurance Descenders USFSD4 is a required piece of safety equipment for USFS rappel operations as per the USFS approved equipment list and USFS National Rappelling Program Operations Plan. No other descender is acceptable or authorized. NTDP and the National Rappel Program have spent years of development, at significant cost (helicopter flight time, personnel, laboratory equipment) and risk to personnel (helicopter rappelling), to identify and recommend this product. The wear resistant nature of the ISC D4 Endurance Descender USFSD4 allows for a significantly more useful product and a long-term cost savings to the Government.

WOPPS intends to non-competitively award this requirement to Yate’s Gear Inc. Other brands were initially evaluated and the “ISC D4 Endurance Descender USFSD4” was chosen as the best option as a replacement to the legacy rappel system. Since its implementation in 2019, no other brand or manufacturer has been evaluated due to the cost and expense of additional evaluations. There are currently 275 USFS Helicopter Rappel Personnel that have been thoroughly trained in the use of the ISC D4 Endurance Descender USFSD4, and cross training with additional equipment would be unsafe and costly. The addition of other brands or manufactures would require significant time and cost to re-evaluate, and acceptability would not be a guarantee. In anticipation of the needs of the 2022 fire season, this equipment will be necessary and essential.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 451110. This notice of intent is not a request for proposals or quotes. However, all responsible sources may submit an offer and capabilities/narrative that proves by clear and convincing evidence that detail their ability to provide “ISC D4 Endurance Descender USFSD4” by Yates Gear Inc. If said OFFER and capabilities/narrative is received within fifteen (15) calendar days of publication of this notice, the narrative will be considered by WOPPS. All responses must be submitted to the Government point of contact at the email address shown below. A determination by the Government not to open the requirement to competition based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

Contracting Office Address:

Washington Office 201 14th St SW Washington, DC 20227

Government Point of Contact:

Marlee O’Keefe Contract Specialist Marlee.okeefe@usda.gov