Source for Long-Term Retardant

The US Forest Service (USFS) is seeking additional sources and/or products for Long-Term Fire Retardants for Wildland Fire Management and is publishing this notice in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) 9.204(a)(1) and the USDA Acquisition Regulations (AGAR) Advisory Number 60B.

The USFS has an on-going need for adequate types and quantities of Long-Term Fire Retardants to accomplish fire management activities safely, efficiently, and effectively (Forest Service Manual 5160.2). To accomplish this, the USFS has an established testing and approval procedure for evaluating proposed products to be used by the USFS and its Federal cooperators during wildland fire suppression operations. Products submitted under the established Qualification Requirement (QR) must meet or exceed Forest Service Specification 5100-304c with amendments.

Prior to initiating the laboratory evaluation of new products, the submitter must provide specific information relative to the submitted products and their ingredients to the Forest Service. This information request is made in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the necessary information collection, per OMB Number 0596-0182.

The evaluation process takes 18-24 months to complete. A description of the submission and evaluation process, estimate of cost (submitter responsibility), and evaluation requirements can be found on the Wildland Fire Chemical Systems (WFCS) web page at: http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/fire/documents/qr_ret.pdf

The Forest Service welcomes any interested manufacturers to participate in our process to add their product(s) to the Qualified Product List (QPL). Manufacturers (and their suppliers) of long-term fire retardant products which currently are on the (QPL) may be viewed at: http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/fire
 
Inquiries regarding this notice may be sent by email or hard copy through the Post Office. Sent to:

Shirley Zylstra
Program Leader - Fire Chemicals
Missoula Technology & Development Center
US Forest Service
5785 Highway 10 West
Missoula, MT 59808
szylstra@fs.fed.us

or Cecilia Johnson
Fire Chemical Technical Specialist
Missoula Technology & Development Center
US Forest Service
5785 Highway 10 West
Missoula, MT 59808
cjohnson12@fs.fed.us

Additional information can be obtained by contacting Leslie Anderson, Branch Chief, Fire Equipment and Chemicals, Fire and Aviation Management, US Forest Service; 5785 Highway 10 West, Missoula, MT 59808. Questions may also be submitted via facsimile to (406) 339-3719 or by e-mail to: landerson@fs.fed.us