The USDA Forest Service, Northern Province Acquisitions intends to award a sole-source contract for the supply of 33 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), made by Survivair, model Panther SCBA P964277. This purchase will be awarded to LN Curtis, Oakland, CA, a small business that is the sole distributor for Survivair breathing apparatus for the fire service in California. This purchase will be made under Simplified Acquisition Procedures and Other than Full and Open Competition as authorized by FAR 6.302-1. The anticipated award date is August 27, 2002. This equipment is needed to outfit additional engine modules on the Mendocino and Six Rivers National Forests, existing engine modules currently utilize the Panther SCBAs. Both forests have a substantial investment in training and maintenance equipment to service this brand of SCBA and are standardizing to this equipment throughout the Northern Province Forests in Northern California. Purchasing different equipment would require additional maintenance equipment and training of fire personnel. In addition, this vendor is able to respond to warranty repair or other service needs as requested by the Forest Service in a timely fashion. This is a simplified acquisition with an estimated value of less than $100,000. This notice is not a request for competitive quotes. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. For information regarding this purchase please contact Pam Ockerman at (530) 934-1111. NAICS: 421800, size standard 100 employees.