23--AMPHIBIOUS FIRE-FIGHTING VEHICLE, WITH TRAILER.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes to noncompetitively issue a purchase order, in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.106-1(b)(1), to Coast Machinery, Inc., 10012 Umbehagen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70817, a small business manufacturer under NAICS 336999's size standard of 500 or less employees. The Service proposes to purchase of a single Marsh Master II. It is a tracked, fully amphibious vehicle configured for firefighting. This machine can carry a payload of 1,500 lbs (consisting of at least two persons and their firefighting equipment plus 110 gallons of water contained in twin 55-gallon water tanks mounted within the unit's pontoons) through marshes and swamps in order to contain and extinguish wildland fires within those terrains. Its drive system, composed of a rubber-belt track encircling each of the two pontoons and run via sealed bogey wheels, is patented and results in very low ground pressure on land as well as minimal track maintenance. The track is corrosion-resistant and requires no lubrication. The MarshMaster II is designed to provide a low, stable center of gravity but high ground clearance. It operates simply and reliably through dual fingertip levers for one-handed control of the pontoon tracks via twin hydrostatic transmissions coupled to a water-cooled diesel engine. Top speeds are 10 mph on land and 2 mph on water. The body is made of high-strength aluminum, which minimizes weight and thus improves operational capacities. Aluminum construction also avoids the serious issue of rust corrosion common in wet environs, and all seams are welded to improve strength and ensure watertight operation. This unit is 14'6" long by 8' wide, a sufficient size to be useable for its intended purpose while being transportable without special permits. It comes with a heavy-duty trailer made specifically for hauling this particular type of machine. The manufacturer rented a new MarshMaster II (fitted with the company's fire suppression option) and new trailer to the Government for a two-month period, and has offered to sell these particular units to the Government for a price discounted by 80% of the rental cost. Other companies that manufacture or supply comparable amphibious firefighting vehicles should submit their qualifications in writing and specifically address their product's effectiveness in conducting amphibious firefighting to the Contracting Officer. Include standard brochures and specification sheets. Information received will be considered for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. See Note 1.