F -- HECETA THINNING STUDY

The Forest Service previously announced in Fedbizopps a pre-solicitation conference for the Heceta Thinning Study. This conference was held as announced on March 31, 2006. At that conference, the Forest Service announced that a pre-solicitation synopsis might appear as early as the next week (April 3 - 7). This announcement informs interested parties that the pre-solicitation synopsis will be delayed for a short time, perhaps for one to two weeks. The Forest Service has tentatively decided that the optional harvesting and timber units will not be included in the solicitation. The Forest Service has also re-visited the matter of bonding requirements, and has tentatively determined that bonds for 100% of the construction price will not be needed. Rather, the Forest Service contemplates that performance and payment bonds of $90,000 will be adequate to protect the Government's interests. These bonds will cover the entire contract, including the construction, harvesting service, and timber removal. The Heceta Thinning Study acquisition is planned as a stewardship contract pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 2104. It includes a construction and service component, where the Government will pay a contractor for the construction and service work; and a timber removal component. The construction and service component includes the construction or reconditioning of gravel roads and the harvesting (felling and yarding) of selected young-growth timber in two timber units in preparation for a long-term site study by the Forest Service Laboratory. The value of the timber or other forest products removed from Forest Service lands will be an offset against the cost of the construction and service payments. Interested parties are invited to share their thoughts on the conduct of the Heceta Thinning Study acquisition with the contracting officer. Interested parties that contemplate submitting a proposal are invited to notify the contracting officer of their intentions without delay.