Request for Information - Integrated Resource Service Contracts

Region 9, Chippewa and Superior National Forests, All Ranger Districts, Minnesota

Classification:

Original Set Aside: NONE

Product Service Code: F099 - NATURAL RESOURCES/CONSERVATION- OTHER

NAICS Codes: 115310 - Support Activities for Forestry, 113310 - Logging

Place of Performance: Blackduck, Deer River, Walker, Cook, Ely, Aurora, Tofte, Grand Marais, MN

Description of Notice:

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 Chippewa and Superior 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:

These projects will be located at various locations on the Chippewa and Superior National Forests or generally greater Northern Minnesota, and as specified in each solicitation.

Description of Work:

Work includes, but is not limited to: mechanical timber harvest, processing, slash treatment, hauling, machine piling, chipping and spreading or hauling chips, grinding and spreading or hauling ground material, on-site debarking, and/or mastication. Examples of treatments include stands affected or at risk of being affected by Emerald Ash Borer, Spruce Budworm infestations, or other natural disasters that require expedited treatments.

Period of Performance:

All work shall be completed within the performance period specified in each solicitation. Adequate dry and frozen ground operations time will be given depending on the site and access needs; however, due to the potential landscape impacts and urgency of any given work project, compressed/short term periods of performance may be established in a solicitation.

Estimated Timber Volume and Species composition:

Product removal may either be mandatory or subject to agreement, as specified in a solicitation. Species include various amounts of hardwood and softwood species. Project acres and product removal volume determinations for each project will be decided after the Forest Service receives feedback from industry. Forest products to be removed will be consistent with typical merchantability specifications encountered in the area for sawtimber, pulpwood and biomass. Specifications can evolve as markets allow. Other material may be included or available as timber subject to agreement.

Information Requested:

*Respondents to this RFI are requested to answer the questions in the attached questionnaire form 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 March 7, 2024 @ 3:00 p.m. Central 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 to:

Mike Bildeaux, Stewardship Contract Specialist, michael.bildeaux@usda.gov

Matt Daigle, Senior Acquisition Program Support Officer, matthew.daigle@usda.gov