Intent to SoleSource DNRC.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

AND CONSERVATION

GREG GIANFORTE, GOVERNOR 1539 ELEVENTH AVENUE

STATE OF MONTANA

DIRECTOR'S OFFICE: (406) 444-2074 PO BOX 201601

FAX: (406) 444-2684 HELENA, MONTANA 59620-1601

October 30th, 2023

To All Interested Vendors:

The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Trust Lands Forest Management Bureau is considering an award of a sole source contract to Mason, Bruce & Girard (MB&G).

The Forest Management Bureau is tasked with managing over 793,000 acres of forested state trust lands. We sustainably manage Montana’s forest trust lands to maximize long term revenue while promoting healthy and diverse forests. To achieve sustainable timber output, we rely on confident data sets regarding our forest inventory. We are looking to develop a remotely sensed forest inventory that can be utilized to inform timber sale development, timber sale marketing, environmental review, forest plan and permit compliance and monitoring, habitat modeling, and sustained yield calculations.

Currently, our stand-level inventory consists of qualitative sampling, and data from recent management activities.

This dataset sometimes lacks the specificity and granularity necessary to make informed decisions at more local scales. It is also extremely difficult to update and maintain this dataset. As a result, there is a significant need to improve the confidence in the data and the ability to update on a regular basis.

The determination of this sole source contract is based on the following requirements:

1. This is the first time we have sought to develop this level of data analysis and product outcome.

2. In-person contacts and a thorough internet search did not identify any additional individuals or companies in in the vicinity who produce the data outputs we are seeking.

3. We have consulted with organizational professionals and subject matter experts who have identified MB&G as a firm with the capacity to run the model and provide data interpretation and adjustments necessary to achieve the product we are seeking.

4. DNRC is required to calculate the annual sustainable yield for forest trust lands at least every 10 years (MCA 77-5-223(2)). The annual sustainable yield is the amount of timber that can be sustainably harvested from state trust land on an annual basis.

a. MB&G have conducted the last two annual sustainable yield calculations that were sourced via competitive solicitation. The constraints we require of our sustained yield models are complex and the companies innate understanding of how FVS and Woodstock work allow us to fulfill the mission of the sustained yield calculation more accurately.

The estimated contract value is expected to be $42,000.00.

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Trust Land Forest Management Bureau will accept written comments from potential vendors who believe they have the technical capabilities and subject matter expertise to provide these services. This is not a request for competitive proposals. Vendors interested in providing these services to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Trust Land Forest Management Bureau are invited to provide a detailed description of their company, experiences, available services and client references. Written comments must be received by 2:00 p.m., local time, November 14th, 2023. Responses to this notice must be uploaded to the eMACS system. Questions shall be submitted via eMACS.

A determination by the State not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the State. If evidence presented reveals that more than one source is available to perform the contract, the State may issue a competitive solicitation. If no evidence is presented in the timeframe specified, the State may proceed to award the contract to MB&G.

Thank you for your interest.