C17 FMS Arm Fire Initiators

The Department of the Air Force Materiel Command Lifecycle Management Center at Hill Air Force Base is seeking C-17 Arm Fire Initiators through solicitation FA8213-25-R-3028 for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) delivery to multiple international partners including Australia, Qatar, UAE, Canada, India, and the United Kingdom. This procurement involves manufacturing 72 initiators across multiple configurations (External, Electrical, and Internal) that serve as Critical Safety Items for aircraft egress systems on C-17 aircraft, with all components classified as explosives under NAICS code 325920. Contractors must be qualified sources with demonstrated capability in explosives manufacturing, ISO 9001:2015 certification, and extensive experience with Cartridge Actuated Devices/Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD), as new vendors require completion of a comprehensive qualification package including facility assessments and prototype testing. The evaluation will use a best value tradeoff methodology weighing technical factors (qualified vendor status and schedule) as significantly more important than price, with technical subfactors rated from Outstanding to Unacceptable. The solicitation was posted on August 27, 2025, with proposals due September 26, 2025, and final delivery required by May 31, 2027.

This procurement does not utilize any set-aside designations and is open to all qualified sources, though the solicitation documents indicate that currently approved sources include Pacific Scientific and Chemring Energetic Devices Inc. The contract requires adherence to stringent quality control measures including ammunition data cards, extensive documentation requirements, specialized packaging per military standards, and compliance with ITAR regulations for international delivery. The 72 initiators will be manufactured with aluminum housings containing explosive trains, with individual units weighing between 0.71 and 1.09 pounds and measuring approximately 6-8 inches in length. Performance will occur at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, with the contractor responsible for coordinating international shipments of hazardous materials to the specified FMS partner countries. The procurement includes comprehensive data requirements, lot acceptance testing, and monthly progress reporting throughout the contract performance period.