2023 American Forests sole source 6535.docx

Sole Source Notice: PO-62900-00006535

ODF intends to enter into a sole source contract for the continuation of Operationalizing Shared Stewardship in Oregon and the development of a 20-year Landscape Resiliency Strategy to combat catastrophic wildfire. This is a pilot for creating a governance and a strategic plan that three federal and three state agencies will use to guide investments and actions to reduce wildfire risk.

The Oregon Department of Forestry has made a determination that the level of expertise for this project is only available from one source, American Forests. The unique set of skills and qualifications needed to complete the Strategy development has indicated that no other organization possesses the level of expertise to continue the development of shared stewardship, engage with statewide and regional advisors, and write the 20-year Landscape Resiliency Strategy for the state of Oregon. American Forests had done similar work in Colorado and California and brings this expertise to the state of Oregon. The continued collaborative work and expertise provided by American Forests will allow for continuity in maintaining a functional Shared Stewardship governance, continued facilitation and content delivery to statewide and regional stakeholder groups, and the timely lay out of the final report and framework for future implementation. In order to meet the legislative mandate to provide a report by June 2023, it is necessary to continue with American Forests. Since April 2021, American Forests has developed the framework for developing the 20-year strategy, built a positive rapport with the multi-agency governance structure, facilitated multiple conversations and gathered necessary information to develop and write the 20-year Landscape Resiliency Strategy that will be used to operationalize Shared Stewardship in Oregon.

This sole source contract will be a continuation of a previous agreement between ODF and American Forests that utilized pass through funds received from the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) with the expectation that American Forests continues to assist in the development of shared stewardship and the 20-year strategy. To continue the work initiated and to finalize the development of shared stewardship and the 20-year strategy, the following deliverables will be met:

· Assist in the development and execution of the 20-year strategic plan as outlined in the framework for developing the 20-year strategy. Support development of metrics and an accountability structure, including actions and features that need to be measured, the metrics that will be used, what data is available and being collected, and gaps in data collection and monitoring.

· Support facilitation and management of the Agency Coordination & Implementation Group and the Strategic Leadership Group.

· As needed, support the Agency Coordination and Implementation group with producing meeting notes, action items, and next steps.

· Assist in the ongoing facilitation and management of the statewide and regional stakeholder groups.

· Support writing, editing and production of the 20-year Strategic Plan report due June 30th 2023.

· Assist ODF Strategic Planning Coordinator in the development and production of the final 20-year strategic plan to be developed and produced by fall 2023.

· Assist ODF Strategic Planning Coordinator in the development of an implementation plan following publication of the 20-year Strategic Plan.

· Support planning and preparation for implementation of the 20-year Strategic Plan

ODF intends to enter into this sole source agreement under authority granted in OAR ORS 279B.075 (2)(a) and ORS 279B.075 (2)(d).

If another vendor believes they can provide the services described in this notice, they have until April 20, 2023 at 2:00 PM to submit a protest. Protests must be emailed to the Single Point of Contact identified below. Please include the OregonBuys Solicitation number in the subject line of the email. ODF is not responsible for incomplete protests or protests not received by the closing date and time as specified within this sole source notice.

Single Point of Contact:

Richard Arnaz ODF Procurement Email: richard.arnaz@odf.oregon.gov

Qualifications: In order to protest this sole source determination, a protestor must meet the following qualifications: Must produce a written report on the ongoing 20 Year Landscape Resiliency Strategy and be available for additional ODF and Oregon Legislature questions to be answered within that 90 day period. Support facilitation and management of the Agency Coordination & Implementation Group and the Strategic Leadership Group. As needed, support the Agency Coordination and Implementation group with producing meeting notes, action items, and next steps. As well as, assist in the ongoing facilitation and management of the statewide and regional stakeholder groups.