UWARS Parachute Release

The Department of the Air Force Materiel Command Lifecycle Management Center at Hill Air Force Base is conducting a sole source procurement for UWARS (Underwater Actuated Release System) Parachute Release Cartridges, specifically targeting Mission Systems Davenport Inc. (CAGE code 99251/9925). The procurement involves two types of cartridges (NSNs 1377-01-394-1271 and 1377-01-394-1272) that are aluminum devices containing circuit boards, lithium batteries, and electro-explosive initiators designed to automatically release parachutes when immersed in salt water. Key requirements include strict compliance with ISO 9001:2015 quality standards, adherence to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), comprehensive lot acceptance testing, and limitations on energetic materials age to 24 months maximum. The contractor must provide extensive documentation including Ammunition Data Cards, engineering change proposals, obsolescence alerts, and Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages assessments. The proposal submission deadline has been extended multiple times, with the current due date set for August 29, 2025, at 5:00 PM MST, and all proposals must be submitted to jaide.sarchenko@us.af.mil and jason.lema@us.af.mil.

This procurement does not utilize any small business set-aside designations and is structured as a firm fixed-price contract with a required delivery date of December 30, 2026. The solicitation covers multiple Foreign Military Sales cases for various international customers including Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Greece, and Saudi Arabia, with quantities ranging from 2 to 780 units per line item across different contract lines. The cartridges are classified as Division 1.4 hazardous materials and require specialized packaging, preservation, and shipping protocols including heat-treated wooden packaging materials compliant with International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures. The procurement falls under NAICS code 325920 (Explosives Manufacturing) and includes provisions for expedited delivery and partial deliveries at no additional cost to the government. Performance will involve worldwide shipment capabilities, and each cartridge must be marked with unique item identification and serial numbers according to specific CAD/PAD marking instructions.