451st Firefighter Turn Out Gear Vendor Questions.docx
DOCX document 28 KB Posted
- Attached to
- SDARNG 451st Turnout Firefighting equipment
- Solicitation number
- W912MM26QA016
About this file
This is a vendor questions and answers document addressing clarifications for solicitation W912MM26QA016, issued by the South Dakota Army National Guard for turnout firefighting equipment procurement. The document provides government responses to manufacturer inquiries regarding product specifications, configurations, and acceptable alternatives for both structural and wildland firefighting gear.
Key clarifications include: fitting appointments are fixed for September 12-13, 2026 in Rapid City, South Dakota, with delivery targeted for November 20, 2026 following a standard 90-day manufacturing cycle; brand name items (Innotex structural ensembles, MSA Cairns helmets, CMC carabiners) are specified as "brand name or equal," allowing equivalent products from other manufacturers that meet NFPA standards and performance specifications; the drag strap requirement is a 20-foot webbing strap with looped ends for rescue purposes, with slinglink.com and rocknrescue.com cited as reference examples; turnout gear must comply with NFPA 1971 requirements for composite construction with outer shell, moisture barrier, and thermal liner in either single or multiple-layer configurations; Nomex wildland shirts may be bid in Tecasafe fabric provided they meet NFPA standards; and helmet facepieces must be detachable shields compatible with MSA Cairns helmets or integrated into alternative approved helmets. The solicitation is a 100% small business set-aside requiring active Sam.gov registration, with a firm fixed price contract structure. Questions submission deadline was June 15, 2026, and quote submission deadline is June 23, 2026 at 12:00 MDT, with quotes to be submitted via email to andrew.j.kennedy16.civ@army.mil accompanied by a signed SF 30 amendment.
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Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Solicitation Amendment W912MM26QA0160002 SF 30.pdf | ||
| 451st Turnout Gear Quote Sheet.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| 451st Turnout Gear Quote Sheet.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| Solicitation - W912MM26QA016 451st Firefighter Turn Out Gear.pdf | ||
| Solicitation Amendment W912MM26QA0160001 SF 30.pdf | ||
| Firefighter Turnout Gear Characteristics.pdf | ||
| Drag Strap Picture.jpg | JPG image |
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451st Firefighter Turn Out Gear Vendor Questions
All of our turnout gear manufacturers have a 90 business day cycle from the time gear is measured to when it's delivered. To ensure the 20 NOV 2026 deadline is met, can an earlier fitting date be arranged once the contractor is decided?
The fitting date is set and cannot be changed. It needs to be September 12th or 13th 2026 because all the Soldiers will be present. The 20 November 2026 date is just an estimate and will be adjusted for the delivery time on the contract. We expected to wait approximately 90 days to receive the equipment but prefer as short a date as practical to give the Soldiers time to train with the equipment.
Drag Strap, 20ft - I have spoken with a couple of our manufacturers and, as a firefighter myself, we are unsure what this product is based on the provided description. We are seeking additional information. Can you provide additional details or is there a specific fire service piece of equipment that you have in mind for this?
The 451st is required to have this item per Army Regulations. What they currently have is a 20 ft webbing strap that is looped at each end and acts as a rescue drag strap. Picture enclosed (see attachments) from 2013, manufacturing link is www.slinglink.com, however, it looks like this product may be discontinued. The closest thing we have found is available at this link: https://rocknrescue.com/product/rnr-multi-function-drag-strap/. This is only an example, and we do not require this specific item or brand.
Regarding Items 1 and 2 (Structural Firefighting Ensembles), would the SDARNG be willing to consider manufacturers other than Innotex, provided the proposed products meet or exceed all applicable NFPA requirements and performance specifications? Similarly, regarding Item 5 (Structural Fire Helmet), would equivalent products from other manufacturers be considered, such as Bullard or Phenix, provided they meet all required specifications and certifications?
All brand name specific equipment in this solicitation is to be considered “brand name or equal”. The Government will accept equipment from other manufacturers that meet the characteristics, specifications, and safety regulations stated in the solicitation.
Additionally, could you please clarify the desired configuration of the turnout gear with respect to:
• Outer Shell
• Moisture Barrier
• Thermal Liner See chapter 7, NFPA 1971
7.1.2 “Garments shall consist of a composite of an outer shell, moisture barrier, and thermal barrier.”
7.1.2.1, “The composite specified in 7.1.2 shall be permitted to be configured as a single layer or multiple layers.”
Our current gear has two layers, outer shell (layer 1) and moisture barrier/thermal barrier as a separate detachable layer (layer 2).
Chapter 7 goes further into measurements and refers to Chapters 4 through 9 of NFPA 1971 for supplemental garments that are provided to meet the performance requirements.
Line item 5- Helmet, MSA Cairns- Is there a specific model that you are looking for? Is this a leather helmet?
No specific model is required. C-TRD is the model the firefighters are currently using.
Line item 5- Helmet Leather- this is just for the helmet shield that attaches to the helmet, correct?
Yes. We have leather shields already, so the shield is not required by the manufacturer.
Line item 7- Helmet, Facepiece, MSA Cairns- from the characteristics, I am not sure what you are asking for here. Can you please clarify?
This is a face shield that attaches and detaches from the helmet. We need to either have this component with the MSA Cairns helmets or change to a helmet that has a detachable face shield.
Line item 16- CMC Carabineers- do you have a specific part number for these? Rating?
No, the regulation does not specify rating or part number for carabineers. They need to be built to a level of quality that is acceptable to firefighting industry standards.
Line item 19- Nomex, Wildland Shirt, Yellow- this specific vented style shirt looks to only comes in a Tecasafe fabric. This fabric meets NFPA standard. Is that ok to bid?
We are not accepting bids for this solicitation. Vendors are asked to provide quotations in accordance with FAR Part 12. We do not verify technical acceptability prior to receiving offers. It is required for the supplies in this solicitation to meet NFPA standards.
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