PNF Airstrip Maintenance

The Payette National Forest is seeking qualified small businesses to perform annual maintenance on four FAA-designated airstrips—Chamberlain, Cold Meadows, Cabin Creek, and Soldier Bar—located within the Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness in Idaho. This is a five-year firm-fixed price indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity contract with one base year and four option years, during which one airstrip will be maintained each year, ensuring consistent operational readiness and safety standards across all sites. The solicitation is a total small business set-aside under NAICS code 561730, with a $9.5 million size standard, and requires contractors to be registered in SAM.gov with an active Unique Entity ID and CAGE code. Proposals must be submitted via email to the contracting officer by May 8, 2026, and must include a detailed cost estimate and timeline addressing work scope, logistics, and resource planning for remote, wilderness operations. The evaluation process prioritizes technical approach above all else, requiring proposers to demonstrate a sound understanding of the requirements, compliance with standards, and ability to deliver across rugged terrain with minimal infrastructure. Price must be fair and reasonable but is not subject to tradeoff against technical merit, meaning the highest-rated technical proposal with acceptable past performance and reasonable cost will be selected. Contract administration obligations include electronic payments through SAM, adherence to labor standards under the Service Contract Act and Fair Labor Standards Act, compliance with environmental restrictions on ozone-depleting substances, implementation of cybersecurity safeguards for government information systems, and full flow-down of clauses to any subcontractors. Contractors must also certify compliance with anti-discrimination provisions, trafficking-in-persons policies, paid sick leave requirements, and the Buy American Act. All work is performed at the airstrip locations, with inspection and acceptance occurring on-site by government representatives under FOB Destination terms, and the contract includes provisions for possible extensions of service or term under specific notice requirements.