Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) gear for USFS Region 5 within California

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service has issued a Special Notice announcing its intent to sole source Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) gear for USFS Region 5 within California. The procurement will be awarded to Cascade Fire Equipment Company under a firm-fixed price contract with a 90-day performance period following award. The acquisition is structured as a 100% total small business set-aside under NAICS code 339999 (All Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing) with a size standard of 550 employees. The contract includes delivery of SCBA equipment directly to fire stations along with on-site training for initial mask fit testing and care maintenance. The notice was posted on September 15, 2025, with responses due by September 22, 2025.

The sole source justification centers on standardizing SCBA equipment across Region 5 forests, which currently utilize six different SCBA brands requiring replacement due to aging equipment. The Forest Service has already invested $3.85 million in Drager equipment through Cascade Fire Equipment and plans to allocate an additional $2.3 million in fiscal year 2025 to complete outfitting 101 more engines beyond the 94 already equipped. The procurement specifically targets Drager PSS 5000 SCBA Pack Frames, Drager FPS 7000 SCBA Masks with Heads-Up Display, and Drager 45-minute, 4500 PSI SCBA Bottles with Quick Connect Fitting, priced at $4,420 per pack, $485 per mask, $815 per bottle, and $90 per cylinder quick connect adapter. The justification emphasizes Drager's unique safety features including wireless heads-up displays, quick connect fittings, integrated safety systems, and multiple sizing options as critical for firefighter safety and operational consistency. Market research identified Cascade Fire Equipment as the sole source provider for this standardized equipment solution.