AVIATION HELMETS

The contract involves the procurement of aviation helmets by the Fish & Wildlife Services, Region 7, under the Department of the Interior. The agency plans to issue a sole source, firm-fixed price order worth $31,724.27 to Gibson & Barnes, a small business authorized reseller of Gentex aviation helmets. This procurement is justified under limited sources justification as Gentex is the only manufacturer whose helmets meet the Department of Interior’s certification standards for both helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft. The sole source determination was made to ensure compliance with these strict safety requirements, and the contract is expected to be awarded on May 16, 2019. This acquisition falls under NAICS code 339999, covering miscellaneous manufacturing. The announcement serves as a market research notice rather than a solicitation for quotes, emphasizing that any response must convincingly demonstrate the advantage of competition, although competition is not anticipated. The contracting office specified the use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures and cited regulatory authority allowing solicitation from a single source. For further inquiries, contact information for the contracting officer, Tina Baker, has been provided. The contract ensures that the agency secures properly certified aviation helmets crucial for flight safety in governmental aviation operations.