Kootenai National Forest, Rexford Ranger District, Mountain Pine Beetle Thinning, Piling, and Decking

SYNOPSIS: AG-02RC-S-16-0090 is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation (see attached Solicitation Package). This solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation and the documents incorporate provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-88. This procurement is set aside for Small Business. The NAICS code is 115310 and the Small Business Size Standard is $7.5 million average annual receipts of a firm over three years. The Rexford Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest, has a requirement for performance based services to accomplish stand treatments related to the reduction of basal area to improve stand health and diminish effects of Mountain Pine Beetle through thinning, product processing and decking, and excavator piling on 255 acres. This work may occur on slopes up to 40% and on rocky terrain. The performance based services covered in this contract require the Contractor to furnish all technical expertise, labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals necessary to complete the work required within the specifications, performance standards, and terms and conditions of the contract. The Contractor shall organize and direct all equipment and personnel needed to accomplish the work. Performance based means a contract structured around the results to be achieved as opposed to the manner by which the work is to be performed. The desired end result of this project is to achieve the following: (a) Improve stands natural ability to ward off Mountain Pine Beetle by opening the stand up to sunlight which will increase temperature and discourage use by the beetles. (b) Improve wildlife habitat by opening the stand up to sunlight to encourage the growth of browse. (c) Mechanically reduce ladder and surface fuels, thereby reducing the susceptibility of wildfire. (d) Make available, non-sawlog material that would otherwise be piled and burned. DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION Description: The area is gently rolling with occasional steep slopes over 40%. The treatment areas primarily consist of DF, WL, and PP over story with the understory composed mainly of small diameter DF, WL, and a minor component of LPP and ES. Location: The work is located within the Rexford Ranger District of the Kootenai National Forest, headquartered at the Rexford Ranger Station in Eureka, Montana. Vicinity and project maps are included in this solicitation. Higher quality project maps are available at the district office. Contact Pam Cooper 406-296-7128 during business hours. District travel maps are also available at the district office. Legal Description: 1) Item No. 1 - T36N, R28W, Section 9; 2) Item No. 2 - T36N, R28W, Section 8; and 3) Item No. 3 - T36N, R28W, Section 20. (a) Accessibility. The general vicinity of the contract areas may be reached by forest roads that are accessible by standard pickup during normal operating season (approximately June to October). The Government assumes no obligation to plow snow or perform special maintenance to keep roads open. Individual stands are accessible by a combination of 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive. (1) Item No. 1 is located approximately 10 miles west of the town of Eureka, Montana. From Eureka take Hwy 37, 13 miles to the West Kootenai bridge. After crossing the bridge take Hwy 37 North east 6.3 miles and turn on Rd #470 for another .25 miles. (See project map for location). (2) Item No. 2 is located approximately 10 miles west of the town of Eureka, Montana. From Eureka take Hwy 37, 13 miles to the West Kootenai bridge. After crossing the bridge take Hwy 37 North 5.9 miles and turn on Rd #7223 for another 1.5 miles. (See project map for location). (3) Item No. 3 is located approximately 10 miles west of the town of Eureka, Montana. From Eureka take Hwy 37, 13 miles to the West Kootenai bridge. After crossing the bridge take Hwy 37 North approximately 3.5 miles. (See project map for location). (b) Boundaries. The boundaries are marked with 3 vertical stripes of blue paint with Cutting Unit Posters at the corners. Boundary trees are not considered included timber. (c) Detailed Unit Information. Additional information can be obtained by contacting Pam Cooper 406-296-7128 at the Rexford Ranger District during business hours. Site Visit: Quoters are urged and expected to inspect the site where services are to be performed and to satisfy themselves regarding all general and local conditions that may affect the cost of contract performance, to the extent that the information is reasonably obtainable. In no event shall failure to inspect the site constitute grounds for a claim after contract award. There is not a scheduled site visit for this project. If you need more information, please call Pam Cooper at the Rexford Ranger District during business hours. PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES applicable to this solicitation (addenda are listed in the attached Solicitation Package): FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items (OCT 2015) FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items (MAY 2015) FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items (MAR 2016) FAR 52.204-10 Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (OCT 2015) FAR 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (NOV 2011) FAR 52.219-28 Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (JUL 2013) FAR 52.222-3 Convict Labor (JUNE 2003) FAR 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015) FAR 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity (APR 2015) FAR 52.222-36 Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUL 2014) FAR 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons (MAR 2015) FAR 52.223-18 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (AUG 2011) FAR 52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (JUNE 2008) FAR 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - System for Award Management (JUL 2013) FAR 52.222-41 Service Contract Labor Standards (MAY 2014) FAR 52.222-42 Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (MAY 2014) FAR 52.222-55 Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (DEC 2015) SCHEDULE OF ITEMS: See the attachment entitled Schedule of Items (2 pages). EVALUATION FACTORS: The Government will award a Performance Based, Firm-Fixed contract, or contracts, as a result of this Request for Quote (RFQ) solicitation to the Quoter whose quote, as determined by the Contracting Officer, provides the best value to the Government based on the following factors: 1) price; 2) past performance; and 3) capability to accomplish this type of work. The Experience Questionnaire will be used as part of this evaluation. NOTE 3: This project is subject to appeals under NEPA laws. Therefore there is a possibility of Termination for Convenience by the Government if appeals are filed. Reference FAR 52.212-4(l) Termination for the Government's convenience. System for Award Management (SAM): In order to be eligible for a contract award under this solicitation, Quoters must be completely registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) via www.sam.gov. For questions concerning SAM registration, certifications, or assistance with preparing quotes, contact the PTAC office at the following locations: http://www.umt.edu/research/innovation/ University Hall 116 Missoula, MT 59812 Patty Cox, CPP Government Contracting Advisor Phone: (406) 243-4030 Email Address: patricia.cox@umontana.edu http://www.dobusinessinmontana.com 314 Main Street Kalispell, MT 59901 (406) 257-7711 Doug Bolender, CCAS Government Contracting Advisor Phone: (406) 257-7711 5 Email Address: doug@dobusinessinmontana.com SUBMISSION OF OFFERS: Request for Quotations will be accepted NO LATER THAN 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time on June 16, 2016. Submit the following as your Quote: 1. Schedule of Items (2 page Attachment). 2. Experience Questionnaire Form (2 page Attachment or a different format may be used which addresses all areas of the Experience Questionnaire). Submission Methods: **Email: mpdaniel@fs.fed.us Mail: USDA Forest Service ATTN: Marion Daniel, Contracting 3815 Schreiber Way Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815 Fax: 208-765-7229 (confirm receipt) **Email (PDF documents) is the preferred method for submission of quotes.