B-2 Fire Extinguisher Cartridge

The Department of the Air Force Materiel Command Lifecycle Management Center at Hill Air Force Base is soliciting proposals for B-2 Fire Extinguisher Cartridges, a critical safety component for B-2 aircraft operations. This procurement involves 108 fire extinguisher cartridges with specific technical requirements including precise dimensional specifications (1.0 diameter, 2.070 length, 0.1220 weight) and must comply with stringent qualification requirements that limit suppliers to United States and Canada entities only. Potential contractors must demonstrate extensive manufacturing capabilities, facilities certification, and complete a mandatory qualification article demonstration process that includes comprehensive data verification and process validation. The qualification process is estimated to take 360 days and will cost offerors between $5,000 to $50,000+ for government-unique testing and evaluation, with compliance to ISO 9001-2015 standards and Buy American Act requirements mandatory. The original proposal submission deadline of July 30, 2025 has been extended to August 15, 2025 at 5:00 PM, with evaluation criteria detailed in the solicitation documentation.

This solicitation does not utilize any set-aside designations and currently has two approved sources: Kidde Technologies Inc (Cage Code 61423) and Pacific Scientific (Cage Code 54181), with potential sources including Applied Energy Technology Corp and Walter Kidde Inc. The procurement involves manufacturing errors that could result in part failure, aircraft mission degradation, or potential aircraft loss, emphasizing the critical nature of these components. The contract authorizes expedited delivery and partial deliveries at no additional cost to the government, with the 108 cartridges representing the total quantity required under this solicitation. Performance will take place in Utah, USA, where Hill Air Force Base is located, and the procurement falls under NAICS code 325920 for Explosives Manufacturing and PSC code 1377 for Cartridge and Propellant Actuated Devices and Components. The solicitation includes extensive documentation requirements covering ammunition data cards, engineering change proposals, and various test and inspection reports to ensure compliance with the stringent safety and performance standards required for B-2 aircraft operations.