Industry_Days_QandA_Final.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture

Forest Service

National Interagency Fire Center

3833 S. Development Avenue Boise, ID 83705-5354

Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Recycled Paper

File Code: 6320 Date: August 5, 2019

Subject: National Retardant Services - Questions and Answers from Industry Days held at Boise ATB, Redmond ATB, San Bernardino ATB and Phoenix Mesa Gateway

ATB

The following are the questions received during the Industry Days held in Boise, Redmond, San Bernardino and Phoenix Mesa Gateway. The answers provided are the official responses from the Agency.

1. What equipment will remain at the base when new contractor arrives at base?

USFS Response – For the purpose of determining market research, each prospective offeror should anticipate there will be no remaining equipment at the base, with the exception of the Government provided MicroMotion mass flow meter, Government owned utilities systems (electrical, water, etc.) and any infrastructure that may be installed underground. The incumbent contractor will remove all equipment they are providing.

2. Do we have to blend retardant with the equipment type that is currently used, or can we innovate and do this in a more efficient way, as long as the finished product is the same?

USFS Response – The deliverable will be a mixed product that meets the USDA FS Specification 5100-304c for Long-Term Retardant, Wildland Firefighting (or most current revision) found on the USDA FS Long-Term Fire Retardant Qualified Products List (QPL). This specification identifies the necessary qualities of retardant products and their evaluation along with appropriate application methods and uses. Innovative blending processes will be acceptable provided the end product meets specifications and does not damage the mixed product or reduce the effectiveness or shelf life of the retardant.

3. How long does it take to fill an Airtanker?

USFS Response – There are two times: 1) fill time and 2) loading time. The filling duration of Airtankers is variable and dependent on the tank capacity (gallons) of the airtanker. The current retardant services contract identifies a pump capability of 200 gallons per minute for single engine airtankers (SEAT’s) and 400 -500 gallons per minute for multi-engine airtankers. Fill time will be a function of tank capacity and pump speed.

For example, a 3000 gallon tank at 450 gallons per minute pump speed = 7 minute fill time. Timely and efficient movement of contractor personnel and retardant loading hoses on the aircraft ramp will increase overall productivity and reduce retardant loading times.

Current retardant contracts states that the loading operations must begin within 3 minutes after an order is placed.

2 Retardant Services Industry Days – Questions and Answers

4. Do you mix for CalFire also?

USFS Response – U.S. Forest Service Airtanker bases and joint Federal / State Airtanker bases (shared administration, staffing and contracting by Federal and State organizations such as CAL-Fire and State of Oregon) work together in an interagency approach to wildland firefighting. Forest Service Airtanker bases load retardant on to cooperator aircraft, including Cal Fire.

5. Does the USFS provide the water, electricity, MicroMotion, disposal of excess product?

USFS Response – The Government will furnish the MicroMotion mass flow meters and the utilities required at the various sites. Responsibility for retardant disposal varies with contract line item. The contractor may be responsible for excess retardant disposal at certain locations.

6. Is the National Long-Term retardant contract made public to potential offerors?

USFS Response – All Government contracts are available to the public. In specific cases, a proper request through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is required to obtain contracts that may contain sensitive and proprietary information. Specifically, for this effort, detailed information about the effort will be available to assist a potential offeror with determining their approach.

7. What is the process for the decision to determine a Small Business Set-Aside?

USFS Response – Through market research, the Government determines if there are suitable opportunities to acquire all or parts of an acquisition through a Small Business Set-Aside. A small business set-aside is based in part on the value, potential risk and quantity of the goods or services the Government wants to purchase. Contracting officials must base the decision on sufficient facts to prove that they’ve made a reasonable assessment. In general, there must be at least two responsible small businesses that could be determined to be responsible and reasonably perform the work for a fair price.

8. How many contracts are planned?

USFS Response – The number of contracts is not determined at this time. The market research the Government is performing now, will help to determine if there are service opportunities to break out from the current National Retardant contract.

9. How will the contracting process change as new companies are added to the Qualified Products List?

USFS Response – This effort does not consider the Long-Term Fire Retardant products or the contracting of on the products on the Qualified Products List. This effort is specific to the services at the specific Full-Service AirTanker bases around the nation.

3 Retardant Services Industry Days – Questions and Answers

10. Is the current contract a sole source? What is the ultimate goal?

USFS Response – Yes, the current contract is a sole source contract for loading of Long- Term Fire Retardant into AirTankers at the specific Full-Service Airtanker bases around the nation. The Government is researching the opportunity to reasonably break out the services portion of the current contract.

For additional information please contact the Contracting Officer Larry Robillard at larry.robillard@usda.gov.