1202SC25B2700: Notice of Intent to Sole Source

The US Forest Service has issued a Notice of Intent to Award a Sole Source contract for Original Equipment Manufacturer replacement parts for the Gatekeeper 20 - HS Series shelter system. The procurement is specifically for Main Frame Assemblies, Key Flanges, and Tie Down Assemblies that will be supplied by Western Shelter Systems, LLC under a Firm Fixed Price contract valued up to $7.5 million. This special notice was posted on September 18, 2025, with the Forest Service's Procurement & Property Services division handling the acquisition. The contract is set aside for Total Small Business participation under NAICS code 339999 (All Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing) and is scheduled for award on or about September 26, 2025. The procurement will utilize Simplified Acquisition Procedures and the contract performance location will be the Rocky Mountain Fire Cache in Lakewood, Colorado.

The Forest Service intends to award this contract on a sole source basis because Western Shelter Systems is the only authorized vendor capable of providing the specific replacement parts required to maintain equipment safety, warranty compliance, and operational continuity during fire missions. The procurement is structured as non-competitive due to the specialized nature of these OEM parts and the critical operational requirements they support. Potential contractors who believe they can provide these specific replacement parts may submit capabilities statements or narratives demonstrating their qualifications by September 23, 2025, at 1700 EST. To be eligible for consideration, contractors must meet the small business size standard of 550 employees or fewer for the NAICS code 339999 category. The notice serves as an opportunity for qualified small businesses to challenge the sole source determination by proving their ability to supply equivalent OEM replacement parts that meet the Forest Service's stringent safety and operational standards.