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KC-46 Fire Extinguisher Cartridges

DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE.AIR FORCE MATERIEL COMMAND.AIR FORCE LIFE CYCLE MANAGEMENT CENTER.WEAPONS.FA8213 AFLCMC EBHK · Response deadline: Tue, 10 Nov 2026

What the government is buying

The U.S. Air Force is soliciting bids for fire extinguisher cartridges in support of the KC-46 aerial refueling tanker program. The KC-46 Pegasus, manufactured by Boeing, is a military derivative of the Boeing 767 and serves as the Air Force's newest strategic tanker and transport aircraft. Fire extinguisher cartridges are critical safety components used in airborne fire suppression systems, typically as part of the aircraft's engine and auxiliary power unit (APU) fire protection systems. These cartridges contain extinguishing agent propellants that deploy when fire detection systems trigger, protecting crew and aircraft during flight operations. See the solicitation for specific cartridge types, quantities, technical specifications, and performance requirements.

Key facts

Who can bid

This solicitation is open to all responsible sources with no small business set-aside applied. Any qualified business—large or small—may submit a bid. The relevant NAICS code, 325920, covers establishments manufacturing chemical products including explosives and pyrotechnics. Firms in this category typically produce propellants, igniters, squibs, cartridge-actuated devices, and similar specialized chemical products for aerospace and defense applications.

Given the explosive and hazardous nature of these materials, bidders should anticipate stringent qualification requirements. The government likely will require demonstrated experience in:

• Mil-spec manufacturing (MIL-PRF or MIL-DTL standards)
• Hazardous materials handling and DOT/UN certification
• Explosives licensing through Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
• Established safety programs for energetic materials

Small businesses without prior defense aerospace experience may face barriers; joint ventures or mentorship through DoD programs may be worth exploring. See the solicitation for specific responsibility criteria and past performance requirements.

How to put together a competitive bid

For full-and-open chemical product solicitations, focus on these elements:

Technical compliance: Fire extinguisher cartridges for military aircraft require precise burn rates, ignition reliability, and environmental tolerance. Obtain the complete technical data package and verify your formulation and manufacturing processes meet specifications exactly—deviations typically require costly pre-approval.

Hazardous materials certification: Detail your ATF licenses, DOT hazardous materials shipping certifications, and storage compliance. The supply chain for energetic materials is heavily regulated; demonstrate end-to-end chain-of-custody capability.

Quality systems: Emphasize AS9100 certification or equivalent aerospace quality management. Include your NADCAP accreditation for chemical processing if applicable.

Pricing strategy: With no set-aside, expect competition from established defense contractors. Analyze your true manufacturing costs carefully—cartridges require specialized tooling and lot testing that drive non-recurring engineering. Consider whether your production scale supports the likely order quantities and delivery schedule.

Next steps

Read the full solicitation documents on SAM.gov using solicitation number FA821326R3031. Review all attachments, including the statement of work, technical specifications, and contract clauses. Note the firm response deadline of November 9, 2026, at 5:00 PM Mountain Time—late submissions will not be considered. Submit questions through the SAM.gov inquiry function well before the deadline to allow adequate response time.

View the official notice on SAM.gov →