F-35 Fire Cartridge

The Department of the Air Force Materiel Command Lifecycle Management Center at Hill Air Force Base seeks to procure F-35 fire cartridges (NSN 1377-01-661-0137), with proposals due October 8, 2026. This is a sole-source procurement awarded to Kidde Technologies Inc. (CAGE 61423).

Place of performance is the United States. The item is a critical safety component—an I-4C explosive cartridge with stainless steel body and pins that generates electrical current from aircraft to fire an explosive charge releasing extinguishing agent. The cartridge is classified as hazardous material (Hazard Class Division 1.4C, UN Number 0276) and is designated a Critical Safety Item with government-retained Material Review Board approval authority.

Pre-contract award qualification is mandatory and must be completed before contract award. Prospective suppliers must at their own expense (estimated $5,000 to $50,000+) complete notification of intent to qualify, facility certification, submission of qualification test procedures and reports, process verification including materials sourcing and critical safety item management, government inspection with 10 days' written notice, and production of demonstration articles. The design control activity estimates 360 days for qualification completion. Only United States and Canadian suppliers are eligible; suppliers with prior experience producing this or similar items may request waivers from qualification requirements.

The underlying IDIQ contract (FA8213-26-R-3029) runs from September 30, 2026, through January 1, 2033, with an ordering period through September 30, 2031. Estimated maximum quantity is 25,000 units with a minimum of 250 units, organized across five delivery order periods of 250 to 5,000 units each. The contract is firm fixed-price.

Distinctive technical and data requirements include energetic materials and components not exceeding 24 months from original manufacturing date and traceable to DoD-qualified manufacturers; Item Unique Identification marking per MIL-STD-130N and DoD 5000.64; Ammunition Data Cards prepared per MIL-STD-1168 in WARP format; Lot Acceptance Testing with government approval of test plans at least 90 days prior to testing; monthly progress reports and production status reports; Engineering Change Proposals within 10 calendar days; and Obsolescence Alert Notices. The NAICS code is 325920, Explosives Manufacturing, and PSC is 1377, Cartridge and Propellant Actuated Devices and Components.