38--CTL, Camp Bullis, JBSA WSM, Wildland Fire Branch, TX

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service intends to award a sole-source, firm-fixed-price task order to Caterpillar Inc. under the USFWS Heavy Equipment Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity contract for a CAT 275XE Compact Track Loader equipped with forestry attachments to be delivered to Camp Bullis, JBSA WSM in San Antonio, Texas, for use by the Wildland Fire Branch. This action is conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures per FAR 13.501(a)(b), and is justified due to the need for operational continuity, compatibility with existing equipment, and the critical requirement for vendor-specific service and support that only Caterpillar can provide, particularly given the equipment’s use across multiple military installations and the necessity for rapid response to minimize downtime during fire operations. The procurement is classified under NAICS code 333120 for Construction Machinery Manufacturing and is not open for competitive bidding; however, the government is seeking capability statements from other responsible sources to determine whether competition would be advantageous and not cost or time prohibitive. All submissions must be emailed to Contracting Specialist Fred Riley no later than 2:00 p.m. EDT on August 7, 2026, with a required subject line referencing the solicitation number DOIFFBO260145, and telephone inquiries are expressly prohibited. The contract incorporates standard FAR clauses including 52.212-4 for Commercial Items, 52.225-1 for Buy American compliance, 52.246-2 for Inspection of Supplies, and 52.222-90 mandating adherence to non-discrimination in employment practices under Executive Order 14032. Electronic invoicing is required through the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) as specified by DOI-AAAP-0028, and WAWF is not permitted. No formal delivery schedule, contract value, FOB terms, or detailed packaging and marking specifications are published, as this is a notice of intent and not a formal solicitation or award. Inspection will be conducted by the government under the provisions of FAR 52.246-2, with delivery and performance occurring at Camp Bullis. Key justifications for sole sourcing include the specialized nature of the equipment, existing in-service units, the necessity for authorized technician access to Department of Defense installations, and the imperative to maintain consistent operational readiness across multiple fire management zones. No representations, certifications, or