SEI Industries, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Red Dragon "Dragon Egg" Delayed Chemical Ignition Dispenser

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Procurement & Property Services (PPS), Incident Procurement Operations (IPO), At Incident Management Support (AIMS) Branch, intends to issue a Firm-Fixed Priced Purchase Order as authorized by 41 U.S.C. 1901 - FAR 12.201-1, Simplified Procedures, on or about October 12, 2026, to Helifire LLC, for the USDA Forest Service (USDA-FS).

The intent of this requirement is to provide one (1) new Red Dragon “Dragon Eggs” Delayed Chemical Ignition Dispenser to be used during prescribed burning and wildfire incidents. The Red Dragon Dispensers are the only aerial ignition devices in USDA-FS inventory and the only aerial ignition device authorized for use by the Wildland Fire Aerial Ignition Operations as directed by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) PMS 501, Chapter 3.

By awarding a Purchase Order for the supply of SEI Industries, Red Dragon Delayed Chemical Ignition Dispensers through Helifire LLC, the USDA/Forest Service ensures equipment performance, OEM equipment support, operational reliability, system continuity, operator and equipment safety, and existing factory warranties, while ensuring maximum mission readiness, meeting the strategic objectives of the Wildland Fire Aerial Ignition Operations of our organization. The PPS, IPO, AIMS intends to non-competitively award this requirement to Helifire LLC.  The required items are proprietary to SEI Industries, LLC and the only authorized vendor to provide SEI Industries, Red Dragon dispensers, is Helifire LLC.  Furthermore, Red Dragons are compatible in all aspects with existing SEI Industries systems/equipment presently in use, allowing personnel in the field to maintain continuity of service during fire mission times. No other manufacturer is compatible or can interchange with SEI Industries’ proprietary systems without voiding existing warranties and posing safety risks to equipment and operators.  As a result, any vendor other than Helifire LLC capable of providing comparable models would not be approved by the manufacturer or per established USDA-FS equipment approvals.  Helifire LLC is the only source capable of providing the authorized required items to maintain the safety of personnel, equipment, continuity of service, and the uninterrupted operation and mission readiness during fire seasons.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 115310 with the size standard of $34.0 million. This notice of intent is not a request for proposals or quotes. However, all responsible sources may submit an offer and capabilities/narrative that proves by clear and convincing evidence that detail their ability to provide proprietary Red Dragon dispensers authorized by SEI Industries, LLC.  If said OFFER and capabilities/narrative is received within fifteen (15) calendar days of publication of this notice, the narrative will be considered by the Contracting Officer. All responses shall be submitted to the Government point of contact at the email address shown below. A determination by the Government not to open the requirement to competition based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Government Point of Contact:  Purchasing Agent Shannon Meadows, shannon.meadows@usda.gov.