Hope Unit 30 Mechanical or Manual Fuel Reduction

This synopsis has been amended; the change is from a Hub-Zone to a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business. The purpose of this announcement is to make notice that the Forest Service contemplates releasing a RFQ solicitation numbered AG-0109-S-09-0018 on or about July 22, 2009 for the Hope Unit 30 Mechanical or Manual Fuel Reduction project. The purpose of this project is to reduce wildland fire potential near high-use portions of the Community of Cooper Landing, provide for firefighter safety, and secure a safe ingress and egress route to the Kenai Peninsula. Spruce trees across Alaska have been killed in large numbers by the spruce bark beetle, leaving dead trees across the landscape and creating a high risk for wildland fire. Implementation of these treatments would substantially reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire igniting or carrying through these portions of the Chugach National Forest. The contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, fuel, oil, transportation and supplies to perform mechanical fuel reduction work on the Seward Ranger District of the Chugach National Forest. Mechanical or Hand fuel reduction will take place in the Hope Unit 30 project area, adjacent to the Hope Highway. Provide salvageable wood products to the publics by whole tree yarding and pileing salvageable trees on landings. The average fuel load for the Hope Highway project area is estimated at 10 tons per acre. (min 0.3, max 42) Bidders are encouraged to make their own estimates of amount of vegetation to be treated. Access roads listed on the contract map are present but may not be suitable for all season use. Service landings and decking areas shall be approved prior to construction. Equipment shall not be operated when ground conditions are such that excessive damage will result. Contractor may be required to work within close proximity of overhead, electrical distribution lines. State, Federal and Industry safety-code requirements relevant to working within a certain proximity of power-lines are applicable to the work described in this contract and must be strictly adhered to. It is the Contractor's responsibility to obtain such information and/or documentation. Units south of the Hope Highway are highest priority and shall be completed before work is started on units north of the Hope Highway. The performance period is from September 15, 2009 to March 15, 2010 This project is being advertised as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business set-a-side. Contractors must be certified through the Small Business Administration as Hub-Zone to be considered for this project. The solicitation and drawings will be available for downloading at http://www.fedbizopps.gov on or about July 22, 2009. Offers will be due approximately 30 calendar days after the solicitation issue date. It will be the responsibility of the bidder to check FedBizOpps for any amendments to the solicitation or this announcement. PLEASE DON'T RETURN THIS NOTICE TO US TO RECEIVE THE SOLICITATION. GO TO FEDBIZOPPS TO DOWNLOAD THE SOLICITATION. AUTOMATIC NOTIFICATION: By registering to receive notification on posted synopses, you will be automatically notified via email of any changes to the project.