Sources Sought For 10 Year - 30,000 Acre/Year Forest Restoration Project

Contractor's interested in this project are requested to submit a company capability statement by June 24, 2009

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Description

Solicitation Number: R3-16-10-001

Notice Type: Sources Sought

Synopsis:

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE:

This notice is a mechanism for obtaining feedback from industry in regard to the general requirement stated below. THIS IS NOT A SYNOPSIS FOR A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP). Rather, it is a market research tool to determine potential sources prior to the issuance of a solicitation. The Government is not obligated to, nor will not pay for any information received from potential sources as a result of this Sources Sought Notice.

Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4-FRI) Project

PROJECT INFORMATION:
The Southwestern Region (AZ and NM) of the Forest Service is in the beginning stage of a large, multi-year forest restoration project in central Arizona. This request for information is the initial phase used to gather information and explore contract options. The project objective is to restore ponderosa pine forest types by thinning and harvesting mainly small diameter trees in excess of ecological requirements. Restoration would occur initially in the Williams, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ area. The area will be further defined during the collaborative planning process. Ultimately, over the next planning phases, restoration would occur across at least four Arizona national forests on what is called the Mogollon Rim consisting of mostly ponderosa pine and dry mixed conifer forests.

The rate of treatment is anticipated to be a minimum of 30,000 acres per year over a ten-year contract period. It is expected that most treatment areas would accommodate ground-based harvest systems with some temporary road construction requirements but little to no new, specified road construction needs.

The purpose of this request is to identify companies and industries that might be interested in learning more, potentially being a partner or proponent, and participating in the early phases of the planning process. There is no formal contract at present, the exact acres to be treated have not been identified, and the exact amount of wood to be removed has not been determined. However, a supply assessment has determined that there is a large sustainable supply for up to 10 years projected, and the Forest Service is confident that the volumes will be substantial and firm. From this information it is projected that there will be more contracts of comparable size in the future.

TECHNOLOGICAL EXPLOITATION:
Industry is encouraged to explore new technology in response to the projected abundant secure supply being offered. Once a contract is developed and awarded, the selected firm(s) may utilize harvested material through the existing forest product infrastructure or a mixture of new technology and existing infrastructure. Economic growth in the area is anticipated.

FOREST SERVICE OBJECTIVE:
Invite an open dialogue with industry to better understand the needs and desires of industry to build new woody biomass utilization businesses in this area. The Forest Service has many questions on how to enter into a relationship with industry in this area and for this size endeavor. Some of our initial questions are the start up options that industry partners may desire; what contract type and options would work best; how should the contract be structured to meet industry needs, etc.

The open dialogue will also allow the Forest Service to share expectations, current requirements, limitations, flexibilities, potential opportunities, and learn more industry needs. This information gathering is anticipated to be iterative in nature and may include solicitations of interest, face to face meetings, open public meetings, as well as by phone and/or video conferences.

A very important additional objective is to encourage industry engagement in the collaborative planning process from the beginning. This collaborative process will involve a wide variety of stakeholders ranging from other industry representatives, environmental non-governmental organizations, community representatives, other State, Federal and local agencies and individuals. Interests have been expressed on how products will be removed, what types of industry will be developed and how will new industry interact with existing, local industry. This process has been going on locally for several months.

The Forest Service desires to expand the industry participation at these meetings. The process has been very productive to date and there is broad-based support. The process has been very positive and it appears now is the time to take the next large steps and solicit interest from a number of potential industry partners to produce a forest restoration and utilization project that the State of Arizona, the Forest Service, the local communities, industry, and the other key stakeholders can be proud of.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code applicable to this requirement is: 115310, Support Activities for Forestry.

Submission Requirements:
So that we may better determine capabilities for this prospective procurement, we request that you submit a copy of your companys capability statement (no more than 5 pages) along with any questions and/or comments to the following email points of contact by 3:00 pm Mountain Time on Wednesday, June 24, 2009, with the title of the project (Four Forest Restoration Initiative Stewardship Project) in the subject line. Please be advised that all public information available about this requirement is provided in this notice. Due to lack of time and resources the preferred method of communication is by email. Phone calls will not be returned.

Contracting Office Address:
Place of Performance:
Kaibab, Coconino, Tonto, and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests

Email Points of Contact:

Rufus Cole,
Contracting Officer
rcole01@fs.fed.us

Dennis Dwyer,
Southwestern Region Stewardship Coordinator
ddwyer@fs.fed.us

Jerry Payne
Southwestern Region Utilization Specialist
jpayne01@fs.fed.us

Click here to view FedBizOpps Sources Sought Notice

Additional Information

Category: Forestry>Supply

Region: All Canada

Ad Running: 4/24/2009-5/24/2011

Ad Posted: 4/23/2009 3:33:31 PM

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