Notice of Intent to Sole Source: SEI Industries LLC. , Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), "Dragon Eggs" Aerial Ignition Spheres

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service published a Notice of Intent to Sole Source on April 15, 2026, announcing its intention to award a firm fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract to Helifire LLC for the supply of "Dragon Eggs" aerial ignition spheres. Dragon Eggs are proprietary incendiary components manufactured by SEI Industries LLC and are used with the company's Red Dragon Aerial Ignition Devices mounted on rotary-wing aircraft and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for prescribed burning and wildfire suppression operations. The Forest Service has justified the sole-source approach by asserting that Dragon Eggs are uniquely compatible with existing SEI Industries systems and that Helifire LLC is the only authorized distributor of these products. The contract will support the National Incident Support Caches (NISC) program, which serves as the nationwide logistics and supply system for wildland fire and all-hazard incident response. Helifire LLC is a self-certified small disadvantaged business based in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Forest Service seeks to procure approximately 4,000 cases of Dragon Eggs annually under a contract structure consisting of one one-year base period for fiscal year 2026 and two one-year option periods for fiscal years 2027 and 2028. Interested contractors must submit offers and capabilities narratives within 15 calendar days of publication (by April 30, 2026) demonstrating their ability to provide SEI Industries-authorized Dragon Eggs; however, the government retains discretion to determine whether to open the requirement to competition based on responses received. Although the Forest Service conducted market research and a sources-sought notice that identified two additional interested vendors, both were deemed technically incapable due to lack of authorized distributor status. The procurement falls under NAICS code 115310 (Support Activities for Forestry) with a size standard of $34 million, and inquiries should be directed to Amy Tilley, Purchase Agent, at Amy.tilley@usda.gov.