38--NM-DIVISION OF FIRE MGT TINKER 2 CTL FIR

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service intends to award a sole-source, firm-fixed-price task order under the USFWS Heavy Equipment Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity contract to Caterpillar Inc. for the delivery of a CAT 275XE Compact Track Loader equipped with forestry attachments to support wildland fire operations at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. This procurement is conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures per FAR 13.501(a)(2), leveraging commercial item authority to ensure rapid acquisition of specialized equipment critical to fuels management and controlled burns. The sole-source justification is based on operational continuity, as the Wildland Fire Branch already operates multiple units of this specific model, which features proprietary hydraulic systems, operator controls, and service infrastructure that only Caterpillar can fully support; downtime from repairs or parts delays would directly impede fire suppression and fuel reduction missions. Vendor access to Air Force installations for on-site maintenance and support is a vital requirement, and Caterpillar is the only manufacturer with proven capability to provide timely service on military bases. The contract includes standard FAR clauses governing commercial items, inspection of supplies, Buy American Act compliance, and mandatory electronic invoicing via the Invoice Processing Platform, which all payments must use. Evaluation factors are not publicly disclosed due to the non-competitive nature of the acquisition, and no formal solicitation or competitive bidding process is initiated. Instead, a Notice of Intent was issued to allow potential offerors to submit capability statements demonstrating why full competition would be advantageous, though any decision to proceed with competition remains at the agency’s sole discretion. Delivery is contingent upon issuance of a purchase order, with performance occurring exclusively at Tinker AFB. The contractor must be able to securely access military installations to service equipment, and although no security clearance requirement is specified, on-base access is implied. Packaging, marking, and detailed technical specifications are not detailed in the notice, and no contract value, delivery schedule, or FOB terms are provided, consistent with pre-award documentation standards. All inquiries must be submitted via email to Fred Riley by 2:00 p.m. EDT on August 6, 2026, with the designated subject line, and telephone contact is prohibited.