7G--LIFECYLCE HANDHELD RADIOS

The contract for Life Cycle Handheld Radios under solicitation number 140L3726Q0044 is a sole-source award issued by the National Interagency Fire Center, part of the Department of the Interior, to procure P25-compliant communication equipment from BK Technologies. The acquisition is justified under FAR 8.405-6(b) due to the proprietary nature of the required radios, which are uniquely capable of meeting the technical and operational standards established by the National Interagency Incident Communications Division (NIICD). The deliverables include BKR5000 handheld radios with GPS, encryption, and AA clamshell batteries, as well as KNG Series mobile radios operating in VHF and UHF bands with 50W output, 5,000 channels, and integrated GPS, along with programming microphones, Ethernet interfaces, and accessories. All equipment must be tested and listed on the NIICD Approved Radio List, satisfy a 30-inch drop test for battery cases, and be compatible with existing infrastructure and a $500,000 inventory of spare parts. The contract value is fixed at $1,510,131.59, with deliveries directed to Boise, Idaho, the designated place of performance where inspection and acceptance will be conducted by the government. The procurement follows the GSA Federal Supply Schedule under contract number GSA 47QTCA19D00DK, replacing an expired IDIQ contract, and reflects a strategic move toward Best-in-Class sourcing. No formal contract clauses, packaging standards, or labeling requirements beyond NIICD compliance are specified, and no socioeconomic certifications or detailed pricing structures are provided. The contracting officer is Casey Boyd and the contracting officer’s representative is Jason W. Bruce, both affiliated with the Bureau of Land Management. The equipment supports critical wildland fire response operations, requiring secure, interoperable, and durable communication systems that only BK Technologies can currently supply due to technical exclusivity, proprietary software dependencies, and specialized technician training tied to their systems.