Source for Water Enhancer (Gel)

The Forest Service is seeking additional sources and/or products for Water Enhancer (Gel) for Wildland Firefighting 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 Water Enhancers to accomplish fire management activities safely, efficiently, and effectively (Forest Service Manual 5192.02). To accomplish this, the USFS has an established testing and approval procedure for testing proposed products to be used in direct wildland fire suppression by the USFS and its Federal cooperators. Products submitted under the established Qualification Requirement (QR) must meet or exceed Forest Service Specification 5100-306a with amendments. In addition to the evaluation of the product by the Forest Service, information relative to the specific products and their ingredients is required. This information request is done 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 the 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 FS 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 products which currently are on the QPL may be viewed at: http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/fire/ Inquiries regarding this notice should be addressed to Shirley Zylstra, Project Leader - Fire Chemicals, Missoula Technology Development Center (MTDC), at (406) 329-4859 or Cecilia Johnson, Fire Chemicals Technical Specialist, MTDC, at (406) 329-4819. Additional information can be obtained by contacting Victoria Henderson, Branch Director, National Interagency Fire Center, Equipment and Chemicals, State and Private Forestry, Forest Service, USDA, 3833 S. Development Avenue, Boise, Idaho 83705. Questions may also be submitted via facsimile to (208) 387-5971 or by e-mail to: [email protected]