Sources Sought 1202SC26SS0002 Dragon Eggs Aerial Ignition Spheres.pdf

Sources Sought Notice

1202SC26SS0002

Dragon Eggs

SOURCES SOUGHT

SEI Industries, Original Equipment

Manufacturer (OEM), “Dragon Eggs” - Aerial Ignition Spheres Purchase

Solicitation Number: (To be determined)

Agency: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Office: Forest Service

Location: National Interagency Fire Center - Boise, ID

RFI Issue Date: March 19, 2026

RFI Response Date: March 26, 2026

Synopsis:

This Sources Sought Notice (SS) is solely for information and planning purposes only regarding vendors who are capable of providing SEI Industries, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) manufactured items listed in the “Deliverables and Services” section below and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the USDA Forest Service. The purpose of this SS is to identify qualified sources capable of providing items described herein. As a result of this SS, the Forest Service National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) may issue a Request for Quote (RFQ). The Government will not pay for, nor reimburse, any expenses incurred in responding to this SS.

The NIFC does not intend to notify respondents of the evaluation and will not share information made available;

please ensure any sensitive or protected information submitted is marked as such.

The Forest Service reserves the right to terminate this request and change its requirements if needed and any material submitted becomes the property of the Forest Service and will not be returned.

Responding to this notice does not guarantee participation in any future activities.

Background:

The USDA/Forest Service (USDA/FS), Southwest Area Incident Support Cache (PFK), intends to procure an estimated number of 3,000 cases per year of “Dragon Eggs” Aerial Ignition Spheres for use during prescribed burns and wildfire incidents.

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) establishes standards for approved aerial ignition operations used by all cooperating natural resource agencies, and defines procedures and equipment to ensure that all aerial ignition operations are performed in a safe and efficient manner.

Red Dragon dispensers are listed as an approved device in NWCG’s Wildland Fire Aerial Ignition Operations PMS 501, Chapter 3: Approved Aerial Ignition Devices. SEI Industries, manufacturer of the dispenser, strongly recommends utilizing “Dragon Egg” aerial ignition spheres in the dispenser to ensure safest operation of the ignition device.

Maintaining a provision of “Dragon Eggs” Aerial Ignition Spheres for use in accordance with NWCG Aerial Ignition Device standards is critical to the safety of USDA/FS personnel and others who use these devices. “Dragon Eggs” Aerial Ignition Spheres are manufacturer recommended, compatable with, and recognized as the national and interagency standard for use in authorized Aerial Ignition Devices.

Deliverables and Services:

The Vendor shall be able to provide SEI Industries (OEM), “Dragon Eggs” Aerial Ignition Spheres to multiple Incident Support Caches, nationwide.

Classification Code: NAICS Code: 115340 or pertaining.

Place of Performance:

Specified days after receipt of order.

THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS RFI OR TO OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION SOLICITED. This SS does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or the authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this contemplated effort. This SS is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered as a request for proposal or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses to this SS or the Government’s use of such information. The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any contractor’s input resulting from this SS. Response to this SS will not be returned.

Whatever information is provided may be utilized by the US Forest Service in developing its acquisition strategy and its Statement of Work. The information resulting from this SS may be included/combined with other submissions in one or more options considered in the analysis of alternatives. Any proprietary information that is submitted may be used in establishing requirements, but specific information will be safeguarded as proprietary providing it is marked in accordance with FAR 3.104-4.

Submittal of Information:

Offerors responding to this Request for Information must provide the following:

A capability statement outlining core capabilities, available technology, past performance, and other differentiators that would indicate ability to meet needs in “Deliverables and Services”. Response to this SS shall be limited to twenty (20) pages. The following information must be submitted with your comments:

1. Company Name

2. Company Mailing Address

3. SAM UEID number & SAM Registration expiration date

4. Company Point of Contact (name, telephone number and e-mail address)

5. Company’s Size Standard (i.e., Large, Small, Veteran Owned, etc.) based on NAICS code 115340 or pertaining.

6. Existing Government Contract Numbers and Schedules (if any)

7. Provide Capability Statement

8. Provide proof of SEI Industries authorization as a certified 3rd party vendor/authorized distributor.

PROVIDE ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION RELATING TO THIS SS THAT WILL ASSIST THE GOVERNMENT IN

ADJUSTING THE CURRENT SPECIFICATIONS FOR A FOLLOW-ON SOLICITATION.

The information requested by this SS shall be provided, via email, by close of business (5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time) March 26, 2026 to Amy Tilley at: amy.tilley@usda.gov. Vendors shall reference “Sources Sought 1202SC26SS0002 “ ‘Dragon Eggs’ Aerial Ignition Spheres” in the subject line of their emailed response.

The U.S. Forest Service intends to utilize the SS responses/information to assist with the development of a solicitation to obtain products that match the specification.

(End of SS) mailto:amy.tilley@usda.gov

Submittal of Information: