Harbor Mountain/Gavan Hill Trail Reconstruction Project (Phase 3)

The purpose of this announcement is to make notice that the Forest Service contemplates releasing a solicitation numbered AG-0116-S-10-0028 on or about March 25, 2010, for the Harbor Mountain/Gavan Hill Trail Reconstruction Project (Phase 3). If the solicitation is released, it will be released through this FedBizOpps website, and prospective bidders should visit this FedBizOpps website from time to time on or after March 25, 2010, to obtain a copy of the solicitation. This notice meets the requirements of FAR 5.201. However, the Forest Service reserves the right not to release a solicitation. NOTE REGARDING FEDBIZOPPS LISTINGS. The FedBizOpps website has three separate listings for the Forest Service in Alaska. These are (1) R-10 Alaska Region, Juneau, AK; (2) R-10 Chugach National Forest, Anchorage, AK; and (3) R-10 Tongass National Forest, Ketchikan, AK. Prospective bidders are advised that these three listings are not purely geographic and that a requirement on either the Chugach (Anchorage) or Tongass (Ketchikan) National Forest may be posted under the Regional Office (Juneau) listing. Thus, prospective bidders seeking Forest Service opportunities in Alaska should visit both the appropriate Forest listing (Anchorage or Ketchikan) as well as the Regional listing (Juneau). The solicitation contemplated by this notice will appear under the Ketchikan listing. PROJECT DESCRIPTION. The Harbor Mountain/Gavan Hill Trail Reconstruction Project (Phase 3) consists of the reconstruction of an existing trail. Major work items are aggregate surfacing, stone pitching, stone riser steps, stone rest areas, slough and berm removal, and talus flagstone. Unless otherwise provided, the Contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, tools, transportation, and supplies and perform all work required to complete the project in accordance with the specifications and provisions of the contract. PROJECT LOCATION. The project site is the existing Harbor Mountain / Gavan Hill trail approximately one mile east of the Harbor Mountain Road trailhead near Sitka, Alaska. Sitka is located on Baranof Island and is accessible by scheduled airline service, boat, barge, and the Alaska Marine Highway System. Prospective bidders are urged and expected to inspect the site where the work will be performed. SOLICITATION DETAILS. The following preliminary details are provided for the benefit of prospective bidders, but are subject to change in the actual solicitation. Estimated price range: between $250,000 and $500,000. Contract type: firm-fixed-price. Period of performance: from issuance of notice to proceed through 180 calendar days. Solicitation type: Request for Proposal, posted on this FedBizOpps website for viewing and printing on or after March 25, 2010. Bid opening date: 30 days after solicitation issuance. Contract award date: within 60 days after bid opening. Notice to Proceed date: within 15 days after contract award. Required bonds: bid bond with the bid and performance and payment bonds after award of a contract. OBTAINING A SOLICITATION. Prospective bidders are expected to obtain the solicitation from the Internet. PARTICIPATION. This project is a Total Hub-Zone Set-Aside. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered. Prospective bidders who wish to provide comments on the set-aside matter should provide these comments to the contracting officer on or before March 25, 2010. Indeed, all prospective bidders are invited to notify the contracting officer of their interest in the acquisition. FOR MORE INFORMATION. The point of contact for this acquisition is Kim Toland +1 (555) 000-0000, Fax +1 (555) 000-0000, U. S. Forest Service, Tongass National Forest, Contracting, PO Box 309, Petersburg AK 99833. AUTOMATIC NOTIFICATION. By registering to receive notification on posted synopses, the reader will be automatically notified via email of any changes to this project. To register, select /Register to Receive Notification/ and follow the steps. Follow the same procedure for each project. PLAN HOLDERS LISTS: The Interested Vendors List (IVL) has replaced the plan holders lists that were previously available with solicitation packages. Access the IVL for all projects through this FedBizOpps website. To register as an interested vendor, select /Register as an Interested Vendor/ and follow the steps. Follow this procedure for EACH project of interest. Use the /Register as an Interested Vendor/ option to add a firm's name to the IVL and then view or print the IVL by selecting /View List of Interested Vendors/ for each project. REGISTRATIONS. In order to receive any contract award, a vendor must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA). To register a firm in the CCR system, visit http://www.bpn.gov or call +1 (555) 000-0000 or +1 (555) 000-0000. To register a firm in the ORCA system, visit http://www.bpn.gov. The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.