Description:
This is a Request for Information (RFI) to obtain market and capability information from prospective offerors. Information may be used for planning purposes. This RFI is only for the purpose of identifying potential sources as part of USDA-Forest Service market research. No Request for Quote (RFQ) exists at this time; therefor, do not request a copy of an RFQ. A response to this notice is not an offer and will not be accepted by the Forest Service to form a binding contract. At this time, it is unknown when the Forest Service might solicit a contract for this work. Although "proposal" and "offeror" may be used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. Information received in response to this RFI will be safeguarded from unauthorized disclosure. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained in their response.
Background:
The Forest Service is contemplating utilizing Integrated Resource Service Contracts (IRSC) to accomplish a variety of projects. These can include traditional trading of goods (included forest products) for services performed; or Service IRSCs with no included forest products and all forest products available as Timber Subject to Agreement (TSA). These types of contracts are being considered on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Work items included in this RFI, and other possible work items may be solicited in projects with various objectives.
If awarded, they shall be awarded under the following authority: Stewardship Authority: Section 604 (16 USC 6591c) of Public Law 108-148 as amended by Section 8205 of Public Law 113-79, the Agricultural Act of 2014—Grants the U.S. Forest Service (Government) permanent authority to enter into stewardship contracts or agreements to achieve land management goals for the National Forests or public lands that meet local and rural community needs. Section 8205 supersedes the temporary authority granted to the Forest Service (Government) in section 347 of Public Law 105-277, the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Appropriations Act, 1999.
Important to note: An Integrated Resource Service Contract (IRSC) differs from and Integrated Resource Timber Contract (IRTC) in that in an IRSC the service work cost is greater than the timber value.
NAICS: 115310: Support Services for Forestry, Size Standard: $34M Fuels Management Services.
113310: Logging, Size Standard: 500 Employees
Stewardship authorities permit the Government to solicit this requirement as Full and Open competition.
Project Location:
The Katkee Fuels project is located approximately 5 miles south of Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Access to the project area is via County and Forest Service roads within the Paradise Valley area east of Hwy 95. The proposed project area lies generally within: T61N R2E Sections 10, 15-18; Boise Meridian, Boundary County, Idaho. Attachment 3. Katkee Fuels Proposed Heli Units map is provided with this notice to allow contractors to familiarize themselves with the project area.
Planned Period of Performance:
All work is tentatively anticipated to have the following final completion dates: December 31, 2030.
Description of Work:
The Katkee Fuels IRSC will increase the resiliency to wildfire and disease and improve forest health within the project area by using a variety of commercial and non-commercial treatments.
The Katkee Fuels IRSC will address this with commercial and non-commercial treatment activities. Forest products will be a combination of commercial sawtimber and non-sawlog material. Proposed services will include hand falling, helicopter yarding (w/tops attached), processing and transportation of merchantable forest product material to various manufacturing facilities in the area.
Estimated Timber Volume is as follows:
Katkee Fuels: Sawtimber estimates – 8 MMBF (4000 CCF), Non-saw - 1 MMBF (500 CCF). Non saw material is defined as topwood less than 6.0” diameter inside bark and containing a 16’ merchantable length to a 3.0” top DIB.
Pre-proposal Site Visit Date and Time:
Prior to issuing Call Orders, the Bonners Ferry Ranger District will be holding a site visit for prospective contractors to facilitate dialogue on contractual requirements that are anticipated in the contract and any operational limitations foreseen by attendees.
The Bonners Ferry Ranger District will hold a site visit for the Katkee Fuels IRSC on June 10, 2024. The Katkee Fuels IRSC site visit will begin at 9:00 a.m. PST with a meeting location at the Bonners Ferry Ranger District Office at 6286 Main St. in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. No RSVP is required.
Information Requested:
**Respondents to this RFI are requested to answer the questions in the attached questionnaire form, 2. Questionnaire ID-IPF Katkee Fuels IRSC RFI and return to the contacts listed on the form. * *
Please answer the questions to the best of your ability and provide further information if you find it necessary to clarify your capabilities and ideas.
Return responses are requested by May 20, 2024 @ 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
Thank you very much for your time and energy in your response. Obtaining this information from industry is vital to successful development of an IRSC program to be used as a tool for treatment and restoration.
Please direct questions in writing to both:
Matt Daigle, Senior Acquisition Program Support Officer, matthew.daigle@usda.gov
Ed Koberstein, Timber Management Assistant, edward.koberstein@usda.gov
