Sources for Water Enhancer (Gel)

The US Forest Service (USFS) is seeking additional sources and/or products for Water Enhancers (Gels) 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 quantities of Water Enhancers (Gels) 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 Forest Service Specification 5100-306a with amendments. As part of 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 approximately 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_we.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 Water Enhancer (Gel) products currently on the (QPL) may be viewed at http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/fire Inquiries regarding the evaluation process may be sent by email or hard copy through the Post Office to: Shirley Zylstra Program Leader - Fire Chemicals National Technology & Development Program US Forest Service 5785 Highway 10 West Missoula, MT 59808 [email protected] or Greg McBride Fire Chemical Project Leader National Technology & Development Program US Forest Service 5785 Highway 10 West Missoula, MT 59808 [email protected] Additional information can be obtained by contacting Dave Haston, Branch Chief, Fire Equipment and Chemicals, Fire and Aviation Management, US Forest Service; 3833 S. Development Way, Boise, ID 83705. Questions may also be submitted via facsimile to Branch Chief at 208-387-5398 or by email to [email protected]. Inquiries regarding contracting opportunities for qualified Water Enhancers may be sent by email or hard copy through the Post Office. Send to: Larry Robillard Contracting Officer National Interagency Fire Center US Forest Service 3833 S. Development Way Boise ID 83705 [email protected] or Christopher Cox Administrative Contracting Officer National Interagency Fire Center US Forest Service 3833 S. Development Way Boise ID 83705 [email protected]