Smokey Bear Hot/Cold Air Balloon

The Forest Service, Southwest Regional Office, 333 Broadway Blvd. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87102, intends to negotiate a Sole Source service contract with The Friends of Smokey Bear Balloon for the current fiscal year. Services required call for the uniqueness of a Smokey Bear hot-air and cold-air balloon contractor to participate in public appearances throughout the course of the year to increase the visual image and association messages in prevention of human-caused wildland fires to the general public. This procurement is being conducted in accordance with FAR 6.302-5, authorized or required by statue, FAR 6.303-2 and FAR 13.106-3(b)(3)(i). The proposed contract action is for services which the Government intends to negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302-1. The services needed are available from only one responsible qualified source at this time and no other type of services will satisfy the need of using a Smokey Bear Balloon to aid in promoting the Forest Service mission and the prevention of human caused fires on federal forest lands. This is a notice of intent to award a sole source procurement action and is not a request for competitive proposals. However, interested parties may submit a capability statement that demonstrates their firm ability to provide the services described below. Interested parties must provide rationale as to why they should be considered and identify their interest and capability to this response no later than December 31, 2016, 4:30pm, MST. This notice will be posted to FedBizOps for 45 calendar days. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 115310, and the size standard is 500 employees. A licensed contractor is to provide a special shape hot air balloon (a likeness of Smokey Bear's head), a 25 ft. Smokey Bear cold air balloon and a 7 ft. Smokey Bear cold air balloon. Hot air balloon operations: the Forest Service will not assume or retain operation control over the Smokey Bear hot/cold air balloon ground support or flight operations. Pilots and crew will adhere to all FAA regulations. The Smokey Bear balloon and/or pilots and crew are not safety inspected by the Forest Service. Forest Service employees will not be authorized to ride in the Smokey Bear hot air balloon in any official capacity as per Forest Service manual 5704.9. The Contractor needs to be able to provide the following: 1. Licensed and experience hot air pilot, crew chief and ground crew. 2. Special shape 25 foot cold air balloon (likeness of Smokey Bear). 3. Special shape 7 foot cold air balloon (likeness of Smokey Bear). 4. Balloon retrieval vehicle with the capacity to occupy six adults and large enough to haul trailer. 5. Trailer large enough to hold balloons, baskets, rigging, fuel tanks, and other balloon related supplies and fire prevention related handouts and promotional items. 6. Travel and appear at a scheduled number of Forest Service and public events throughout the year within New Mexico and Arizona. The Forest Service mission-to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations-is global and complex in its scope and influence. The Forest Service manages 193 million acres of National Forest System lands; assists States, Tribes, and private landowners with technical and financial assistance; provides international technical assistance; and develops and disseminates applicable science and technology to improve the health and use of America's forests and grasslands. The Forest Service is the Nation's foremost Federal forestry organization, providing leadership in the management, protection, use, research, and stewardship of natural and cultural resources on our country's vast forests and grasslands. Our organization functions within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), propelled by a dedicated workforce of permanent and temporary seasonal employees that exceeds 40,000 employees during the peak summer work season. The Forest Service was established in 1905 to sustainably manage our national forests and promote conservation across the land. We in the Forest Service are committed to retaining forests and grasslands for present and future generations. Responses received after the response date, December 31, 2015, or without the required information will be deemed nonresponsive to the synopsis and will not be considered. Capability statements may be sent to: Anna Marceau, Contracting Officer, USDA Forest Service, Acquisition Management, 333 Broadway Blvd. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87102, or via email at: amarceau@fs.fed.us or fax to: 505-842-3111.