Field Data Collection

Notice Type: Request for Information/Sources Sought This Sources Sought Notice number RFI-01-29-10 is issued by the US Forest Service in performing market research to determine industry interest and capabilities. This is a request for information announcement only. This is not a solicitation or request for proposal and in no way commits the Government to award a contract. The Government does not intend to award a contract(s) based solely on the submission of this Request for Information nor does it intend to pay for any costs incurred in response to this announcement. The US Forest Service reserves the right to terminate this request and change its requirements if needed. Responding to this notice does not guarantee participation in future activities. The USDA Forest Services is issuing this sources sought as part of a market research for the availability of potential sources interested in the areas of Field Data Collection and Quantitative Inventory over the national forests in the Intermountain Region covering the states of Utah, Southern Idaho, Western Wyoming and Nevada. This contract will be for a potential of 5 years (one base year and 4 options years). The contractor will furnish all labor, supervision and supplies (other than those that will be listed as government-furnished items) necessary to conduct field data collection operations, quantitative inventory, all associated requirements listed in the solicitation. The following is a list of skills that will be needed to conduct the field data collection and quantitative inventory tasks: - Vegetation Skills: o Must be able to identify trees/shrubs/grasses/forbs by species o Must be able to make determinations on all plants to species level and subspecies of sagebrush. o Must be able to interpret field keys accurately and consistently when identifying vegetation types and map units. o Must be able to follow established protocols. o Must be able to fill out field data forms correctly. o Must have access to a Botanist as a resource, not necessarily needed in the field. - Database Experience: o Must follow the inspection requirements identified in the solicitation. o Have a quality control process in place to validate data collected in the field, captured on field forms, entered into the database and quality control process put in place to identify potential data issues. - Physical Requirements: o Must be able to endure strenuous backpacking into the back country. o Must be able to camp while in the field to make field data collection efficient while collecting plot information in the back country. - Coordination Requirements: o Required to coordinate with field personnel to identify access to NF land. o Required to analyze the plot locations to reduce travel time between plot locations. Any companies or firms who feel they can furnish the requirements above and would like to furnish a proposal, when issued by the Forest Service: Please prepare a Letter of Interest describing your experience related to items 1-10 listed in the Scope of Services, include any variations you may propose to the activities described and any unique or additional methods proposed for the development of a Forest Service Job Order Contracting System. Include a response to the attached questionnaire. Letters must also include your firm's response to the attached questionnaire, and should be no more than 20 pages. Please address your letter to the individual below. Contracting Officer Brian Wharton 324 25th Street Ogden, Utah 84401 +1 (555) 000-0000