Intent to Sole Source Confined Space Self?Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Confidence Maze

The 812th Civil Engineering Squadron (812 CES/CEFO) at Edwards AFB, CA, has a critical requirement for a Confined Space Self‑Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Confidence Maze system. This requirement is being procured using expiring funds, thus the Contracting Officer is issuing this Notice with condensed response times. This requirement encompasses the procurement, delivery, and turnkey on-site commissioning of a commercial Fire Vent Model 2210 SCBA Confidence Maze / Confined Space Trainer manufactured by Fire-Vent and distributed by authorized vendor L.N. Curtis & Sons.

The Government intends to solicit and negotiate a sole-source contract for this equipment under the authority of RFO 12.102(a) (restricting competition to a single source for simplified acquisitions).

The designated equipment is:

• Manufacturer: Fire-Vent
• Model: 2210 SCBA Confidence Maze / Confined Space Trainer
• Authorized Federal Distributor: L.N. Curtis & Sons

1. Comprehensive Technical Specifications: To satisfy the requirements of RFO 12.202(a) and ensure transparency, the technical specifications and components of the equipment being procured are detailed below:

• Fire Vent Model 2210 SCBA Confidence Maze Unit:
  • Maze Structure: 2 sections high x 2 sections wide x 10 sections long; configured with eight (8) obstacle panels and six (6) pass-through floor sections to simulate complex interior crawl spaces and entanglements.
  •  Enclosure: Built within a Fire Vent Premium High Cube 40-foot ISO shipping container.
  • Flooring: Custom lifetime-guaranteed composite floor panels engineered for high-wear resistance.
  • High-Point Entry: 8' x 10' elevated top working deck equipped with perimeter safety chains and an approximate 25" x 25" vertical high-point access opening directly into the maze.
  • Exterior Ingress/Egress: 70-degree exterior stairway/ladder system with integrated safety handrails.
  • Openings & Ingress: Two (2) each 30" x 30" observation/ventilation windows; two (2) each standard commercial metal man doors with heavy-duty commercial hardware.
  • Finishing: Standard industrial gray protective coating applied across all exterior and interior surfaces.
• In-Service Personnel Orientation Training: Factory-authorized on-site system inspection and in-service operational orientation training for Edwards AFB fire personnel.
• Freight / Direct Transportation: Dedicated heavy freight transport delivered FOB Destination directly to Edwards AFB Fire Department (Building 2860).
• Life-Cycle & Sustainment: The high-cube containerized design and composite floor panels deliver an operational lifespan exceeding 15 to 20 years under harsh desert conditions with low maintenance overhead.

2. Justification for Single Source:  The 812 CES Edwards Air Force Base Fire Department requires a dedicated, repeatable structural simulator to conduct mandatory confined space search and rescue, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) confidence training, and firefighter survival drills.

Military and civilian standards (including AFI requirements and NFPA 1001, NFPA 1006, and NFPA 1403) mandate regular, verifiable practical training in low-visibility, restricted-movement environments. Field-improvised or temporary wooden maze structures suffer rapid deterioration, present significant splinters/snag hazards, and cannot safely support repetitive overhead vertical-entry rescue simulations. The Fire Vent Model 2210 high-cube container system provides an engineered, all-weather, reusable platform with multi-level configurations, custom composite flooring, and high-point vertical entry capability.

To meet these needs, the simulator must meet the following Critical Performance Requirements:

• Modular Multi-Level Maze: Multi-tier obstacle courses (2 high x 2 wide x 10 long) with reconfigurable obstacle panels and pass-through floor hatches to challenge personnel in zero-visibility conditions.
• Vertical High-Point Rescue Support: Heavy-duty reinforced 8' x 10' upper deck with safety chains and dedicated 25" x 25" entry hatch designed for tripod/high-point rope rescue drills.
• Safety & Durability: Heavy-duty composite floor panels with lifetime structural guarantee, 70-degree stairway with safety handrails, and dual metal access man doors for emergency participant egress.
• Commercial Availability: Fully developed commercial training prop actively deployed across municipal, federal, and military fire training installations.

3. Invitation for Capability Statements:  This notice of intent is NOT a request for competitive proposals or a solicitation for offers. However, in accordance with RFO requirements, the Government will consider capability statements from interested parties.

Any alternative vendor or manufacturer who believes they can meet the exact requirements is invited to submit a capability statement.

Responses must include the following information:

1. Company Profile: Company Name, CAGE Code, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and Point of Contact (POC) information.
2. Socioeconomic Status: Business size status under the applicable NAICS code (332311).
3. Alternative Product Details (if applicable): Comprehensive technical data demonstrating how the proposed alternative product matches the exact requirements.
4. Proof of CMMC Compliance

Submission Instructions:  All capability statements and inquiries must be submitted electronically via email ONLY to the following points of contact:

• Contracting Officer: joshua.vasquez.5@us.af.mil
• Contract Specialist: jewels.mesa@us.af.mil

Submission Deadline: No later than 9:00 AM PDT on September 28, 2026.

4. Government Discretion: A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competitive basis, 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 in the future.