ASU E3 Night Vision Goggles

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, intends to award a firm-fixed-price sole source contract to Aviation Specialties Unlimited, Inc. for four Element 3 (E3) Lightweight Aviation Night Vision Goggles, part number E31001W-1T, certified to FAA TSO-C164a, with capability statements due by August 18, 2026 at 1600 Mountain Time.

The procurement addresses two mandatory safety-of-flight requirements: preservation of the wearer's unaided peripheral field of view—necessary because LED obstruction and aircraft position lighting cannot be detected through NVG optical filters and must be seen peripherally—and compatibility with fielded battery packs and mounts to enable in-flight goggle exchanges. Market research conducted April 6, 2026, by the Region's Helicopter Inspector Pilot found that competing products, including those from L3Harris Technologies utilizing the ANVIS-9 configuration, obstruct approximately 20 percent of the peripheral field because the diopter focus ring is located at the rear of the assembly. The E3 uniquely relocates the diopter ring to the front, preserving peripheral vision, and the manufacturer confirmed exclusive domestic manufacture with no U.S. distributor or reseller.

Aviation Specialties Unlimited is classified as a small business and woman-owned small business. Any responsible source believing it can meet the Government's minimum needs may submit a written capability statement to Westley Bisson, Contracting Officer, Westley.Bisson@usda.gov. All capability statements will be evaluated, and the sole source determination may be revisited if warranted.