84 -- NFPA1977-2005-ISO9001

NOTICE: MANUFACTURERS OF NFPA 1977 COMPLIANT CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT - ISO 9001 REGISTRATION REQUIRED. This is a notification to all current and potential bidders/offerors on GSA contracts for personal protective clothing or Wildland Fire Fighting. Certification to NFPA 1977, Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting will be required effective March 2005. In order to be certified to NFPA 1977-2005, manufacturers must first be registered to ISO 9001, Quality Management Systems. The NFPA 1977 Standard has required ISO registration since it became effective in 1998 as cited in Section 2.6 on page 10. However, in past, the ISO registration requirements have been waived for items procured by GSA. The Wildland Fire Community for which GSA purchases has determined that there will be no exceptions after issuance of the new NFPA standard to be published in March 2005. There will be a 6-month phase-in period before firms will be required to certify to the new edition. Current items covered by the standard and purchased by GSA are Wildland Firefighter's Face-and-Neck Shroud, Wildland Firefighter's Helmet, Wildland Firefighter's Shirts, Wildland Firefighter's Pants, Firefighter's Work Gloves, Complete Field Pack and Components, Fireline Pack (Complete)and Components, Chainsaw Operator's Chaps and Safety Goggles. Items may be added in the future. To participate in future GSA solicitations for NFPA 1977 compliant clothing and equipment, all manufacturers shall be registered to ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.