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 Proposals (RFP) exists at this time; therefore, do not request a copy of an RFP. A response to this notice is not an offer and will not be accepted by the Forest Service to form a binding contract. The Forest Service anticipates beginning pre-solicitation for this contract with draft versions of contract documents by the end of July 2024.
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 Kootenai National Forest. 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.
Stewardship authorities permit the Government to solicit this requirement as Full and Open competition. Multiple awards may be made when the contract is solicited. Project areas have been separated and the schedule is designed to allow for individual awards to be made that will complete all requirements within a given project area.
Project Location:
The Rivbulio FR IRSC project is located approximately 16 miles (Memaloose) to 56 miles (Olallie) southeast of Estacada, Oregon. Access to the project area is via State Highway 224 (heading southeast from Estacada); using Forest Service roads (FSR’s) within the Memaloose/Hillockburn, Fish Creek, Graham Pass, and Olallie areas south of State Hwy 224. The total project area is within the Clackamas Ranger District of the Mt. Hood National Forest. The proposed project area lies generally within the following township and ranges:
- Memaloose/Hillockburn Area – T04S, R05E and T05S, R05E;
- Fish Creek Area – T05S, R05E and T05S, R06E;
- Bull Complex Area – T08S, R07E;
- Olallie Area – T08S, R08E and T09S, R08E;
Willamette Principal Meridian, Clackamas County, Oregon. Specific FSR’s within the road systems of the project area include:
- Memaloose/Hillockburn Area – Memaloose road (FSR 4500), 4500-220, 4500-240, 4510, 4520, 4510-021
- Fish Creek Area – FSR’s 5400, 5410, 5411, 5412, 5411-210
- Bull Complex Area – FSR’s 6350, 6355, 4671. 4672
- Olallie Area – 4220.
Planned Period of Performance:
All work is tentatively anticipated to have the following final completion dates: December 31, 2026.
Description of Work:
The Rivbulio IRSC will implement roadside hazard tree abatement treatments, road repair and reconstruction work in response to disaster declaration FEMA-4562-DR. The end result is a road system that has no standing fire killed/damaged trees within striking distance of the road (including the slide and roll area) so that the road can be reopened to public use.
The objective is to reduce roadside fuel loading and to provide safe access for the public road users. Activities to achieve these end results include performing essential maintenance and reconstruction of roads, cutting of fire killed/damaged roadside trees, removal of cut timber, managing roadside slash and fuel accumulation which will help with site preparation for future reforestation efforts along roads and reduce future fire risk.
This contract will secure services to perform necessary hazard tree abatement work along Forest system roads that will include the removal of Forest products that meet utilization standards and associated slash work, Additional services to be procured include standard road maintenance activities, culvert cleaning and replacement, guardrail replacement, and armoring of identified system roads to facilitate the removal of Forest products.
The anticipated operational seasons for road work activities is June 1 – October 15 annually. Ground based hazard tree work is anticipated to be permitted year-round and must comply with required protections for wet season operations and IFPL.
Estimated Timber Volume and acres is as follows:
The entire project area is estimated at 2,304 acres of roadside hazard tree abatement. Initial Forest Product estimates for the entire project are 115.200 CCF of biomass/cull material. These initial estimates are derived from a 50 CCF/acre average across all project areas and subject to change prior to solicitation.
The Bull Complex project area is estimated at 365 acres and 18,250 CCF of biomass/cull .
The Fish Creek project area is estimated at 624 acres and 31,200 CCF of biomass/cull.
The Hillockburn-Memaloose project area is estimated at 805 acres and 40,250 CCF of biomass/cull.
The Olallie Lake project area is estimated at 510 acres and 25,500 CCF of biomass/cull.
Information Requested:
**Respondents to this RFI are requested to answer the questions in the attached questionnaire form, 2. Questionnaire Rivbulio FR IRSC RFI and return to the contact 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 August 5th, 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.
Attachments:
- Rivbulio FR IRSC Request for Information Letter
- Questionnaire Rivbulio FR IRSC Request for Information
