RFI - A-to-Z STEWARDSHIP, CHUMSTICK to LOWER PESHASTIN (LP), Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, WASHINGTON

Request for Information: Chumstick to Lower Peshastin (LP), A-Z Stewardship Project, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Washington State

The US Forest Service is beginning the planning process for a new stewardship project under the current title of Chumstick to Lower Peshastin (LP), A-to-Z Stewardship on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in Washington State. This would require the completion of an environmental analysis and presale activities at industry or interested parties expense (not as service items). The timber would be sold at advertised rates (no bid premium).

• Estimated volume: 60-100 MMBF. 
• Project Boundary: 115,316 Acres. 
• Forest Service Land in Boundary: 59,802 Acres

More information on this project can be expected in the coming year, including a more detailed project proposal that would provide enough information for our government to government consultation with interested parties. We anticipate having a project proposal sent out in 2022.

Interested parties are asked to respond to this RFI with the following information:

1. Describe your company's capacity for completing a project of this size and complexity, including organizational experience in one or more of the scope elements described in the RFI.
2. Discuss your recommendations / best practices or other factors that we should take into account when developing our project.
3. Describe how you will obtain a third party to complete an environmental analysis to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and ensure compliance with other required laws and policy. Emphasize meeting requirements of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Biological Assessment (BA) preparation, and Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) compliance, including Late Successional Reserve (LSR) assessments and report preparation. Describe how you will ensure completion of NEPA and pre-NEPA survey work, including heritage, botany, aquatics, and wildlife surveys (northern spotted owl).
4. How would your company ensure there is no conflict of interest in performing services as a result of the NEPA decision?
5. Describe how you would finance all NEPA costs and presale activities without any payment from the Federal Government.
6. What risks would prevent you from submitting a proposal for this project?
7. What overall ideas could increase interest in the Chumstick to LP, A-to-Z Stewardship Project?
8. Do you have recommendations on ways to incentivize the overall project or provide opportunities to submit a proposal on specific aspects of implementation?
9. What other contract strategy ideas do you have for a project of this scale? For example, what scope elements could be broken out by separate task orders to maximize performance outcomes?

This is a Request for Information (RFI) ONLY. The information obtained from this notice will be used for market research purpose only to define and develop the Government’s requirement. This RFI is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals nor will any award be made as a result of this notice. All information contained in this RFI is preliminary and subject to change. It is in no way binding on the Government. FAR clause 52.215-3, “Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes” is incorporated by reference in this RFI. The Government does not intend to pay for information received in response to this RFI. Responders to this invitation are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. This RFI will be the basis for collecting information on capabilities available. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received in this RFI that is marked “Proprietary” will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned nor will receipt be confirmed. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.

Please respond by  August 27, 2021. Please do not respond with a cost or technical proposal. Send all questions regarding this RFI via email to Nate Standish nate.standish@usda.gov and Carl Ericksen carl.ericksen@usda.gov. Please indicate in email subject line: “RFI Questions: A-to-Z Stewardship, Chumstick to LP.” All questions will be routed to the appropriate individual for response.