This is a SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS announcement to be used for preliminary market research purposes only. No proposals are being requested or accepted with this synopsis. This is not a Solicitation and no contract shall be awarded from this synopsis. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this synopsis or any follow up information requests.

The purpose of this synopsis is to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities and qualifications of various members of Small Business, 8(a), HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), and Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) to compete and perform service under a contract for the attached Performance Work Statement. A Request for Quote (RFQ) solicitation and firm fixed priced contract is contemplated depending upon the responses to this synopsis.

This synopsis summarizes the requirements for the contractor to provide Enhanced Heavy Equipment portion of the Fire Program Request Asset similar too CAT model #315at USFS/Job Corps at Fort Simcoe Job Corps located at 40 Abella Lane, White Swan, WA, 98952.

Research was conducted online by comparing multiple brands with the specification needs and forestry industry safety requirements established by OSHA to find that the only brand that meets all specification needs and required forestry industry safety requirements is CAT.

The proposed order is to procure a 315 CAT Excavator with a mulcher. Purchase must meet forestry industry required safety specifications set by OSHA and CAT is the only vendor that meets all the requirements needed and mandated.

There is only one source (CAT) that can fulfill all the OSHA standards for heavy equipment that is being used on the forest or on a fire line. Per the U.S. Forest Service website listed Forestry Equipment Chassis Configurations (usda.gov) ¿cabs on forestry equipment must meet stringent guidelines defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for protective structures. In addition to rollover protective structures (ROPS), they are required to have falling object protective structures (FOPS). OSHA requires them to have solid or mesh protection around the cab. This provides additional protection for the operator against breaking cables and tree limbs. See OSHA Standard 1910.266 for an explanation of these cab requirements. Operators must modify construction equipment converted for forest-operations use to meet these requirements.¿ ¿Cabs on excavator-based forestry equipment are located higher and closer to the front to increase visibility around the equipment. The cabs have additional windows on the top and bottom of the cabs to increase visibility to the tops of trees and to the ground. Cabs are required to meet the OSHA guidelines. The engine compartments also receive increased guarding to protect them from falling objects (FOG).¿

The contractor shall provide Enhanced Heavy Equipment in accordance with the attached DRAFT Excavator Specification.

All responses shall be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist, Gary Durham at gary.durham@usda.gov. At minimum responses should include a capabilities statement, and a SAM UEI (Unique Entity Identifier).