GSA Wildland Fire - What's New
Advisory on MREs
Acting on guidance from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), GSA is notifying customers who purchased National Stock Number (NSN) 8970-00-149-1094 about a potential problem with Dairy Shake Powder included as a component in some Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) menus. The powder comes in various flavors (Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry and Strawberry-Banana) and the FDA is investigating possible salmonella contamination on units packed on or before May 19, 2009. Meals packed after that date are entirely safe. Users should remove and destroy the dairy shake powder at the point of meal consumption for meals packed on or before May 19, 2009. The customer letter and DLA Advisory sent to GSA buyers of MREs since June 2006 is shown below for additional details.
MREs being shipped now do not contain the suspect dairy shakes are are 100 percent safe. DLA's site includes a list of safe MREs. If the specific manufacturer and lot number of DLA stock is not shown, users can contact GSA's Bill Hicks to verify the status of any questionable MREs.
[Posted July 13, 2009. Revised August 19, 2009.]
New BDU-Style Pants
GSA will offer BDU-style firefighter's pants made from a kevlar/nomex blend. The 10 most popular sizes are now available from GSA, in limited quantities. NSNs below start with 8415-01. [August 19, 2009.]
| NSN |
NFES |
Waist |
Length |
Price |
| 559-3540 |
2944 |
28-32 |
33 |
119.89 |
| 559-3541 |
2959 |
34-38 |
30 |
119.89 |
| 559-3542 |
2957 |
30-34 |
30 |
119.89 |
| 559-3543 |
2945 |
30-34 |
33 |
119.89 |
| 559-3544 |
2946 |
32-36 |
33 |
119.89 |
| 559-3545 |
2956 |
28-32 |
30 |
119.89 |
| 559-3546 |
2963 |
36-40 |
30 |
119.89 |
| 559-3547 |
2947 |
34-38 |
33 |
119.89 |
| 559-3548 |
2948 |
36-40 |
33 |
119.89 |
| 559-3549 |
2958 |
32-36 |
30 |
119.89 |
New Gloves
Note: The 2009 Wildland Fire Equipment (page 33) also includes two new styles of gloves for fire line use. The gloves, in brushed pigskin for $18.33 or split cowhide for $25.87 per pair, come in a variety of sizes. [Posted August 19, 2009.]
Sharpening Gauge
NSN 5210-01-324-2776 (NFES 0510) has a new contract in place and the price of this item has increased to $28.02. While we seek to minimize such changes, we appreciate customers' understanding when it is necessary. [Posted June 22, 2009.]
Cache Memorandum 09-9
See the attached Cache Memorandum (number 09-3) regarding rebagging of the new generation fire shelters. [Posted May 6, 2009]
2009 Wildland Fire Equipment Catalog
GSA Global Supply's™ Annual Catalog was mailed to subscribers on March 20, 2009. Users can request a copy (and subscribe for future editions) by visiting www.gsa.gov/cmls or calling (817) 334-5215. The catalog is also visible online.
The 2009 catalog features two new styles of gloves (page 33) and a repack box that was previously available only via direct delivery - NSN 8115-00-417-9318 (page 45).
A chartreuse colored flagging ribbon (NSN 9905-00-196-1068) is also newly available. This item is in addition to other colors shown on page 50 of the catalog. The price on this item is $14.67. [Posted April 16, 2009.]
Material and Price Change for 3/4" Garden Hose Wye Valve and Shut-Off Valve
The 3/4" garden hose wye valve (NSN 4210-01-412-6335) and shut-off valve (NSN 4210-01-412-5684) will continue to be supplied as die-cast zinc products for the majority of the 2009 fire season. Once the existing inventory has been depleted, they will be replaced with brass or corrosion-resistant steel construction. At that time, prices will be adjusted accordingly. [Posted April 16, 2009.]
Fire Shelter Retrofit
As previously noted, the Forest Service requested a retrofit on regular size fire shelter polyvinyl bags to reinforce the pull strap. (See Cache Memorandum CM07-4 for details.) GSA has completed the retrofit on existing stock of both the complete fire shelter (NFES 0925 and NSN 4240-01-498-3194) and the single shelter (NFES 0926 and NSN 4240-01-498-3184).
Previous purchasers of this item should perform the field retrofit process as outlined in CMO7-4. [Posted January 16, 2009.]
Drip Torch Now Available
The drip torch (NFES 0241) is now available from GSA. NSN 4210-01-558-9951 costs $117.33. The drip torch meets the requirements of Forest Service Specification 5100-614 and the applicable DOT regulations. [Posted June 9, 2008.]
State and Local Users
State and local wildland fire customers registering on GSA Advantage!® for the first time will notice that the site directs state and local entities to a separate registration form. Do not use this form. Instead, register as a federal agency. For your "agency" select "Department of Agriculture" and for your "bureau" select the "Forest Service". If you use the alternate form for "State and Local Government User", you will not be able to view or order wildland fire equipment from GSA. The alternate form is intended for customers that lack an Activity Address Code and limits their access to specific programs (e.g., Cooperative Purchasing [IT] or Disaster Recovery). Using this alternate form will also prevent the customer from using the GSA Global Supply™ site. [Posted April 30, 2008.]
Last Reviewed 10/2/2009