Sources Sought_Prescribed Burn_NRCS-MN_1150634.pdf

Project Name: MN WRP Burn Contract – Prescribed Burning 2025-2030

RFI #: _1150634_

Response Page Limitation: 10 Pages

This Sources Sought announcement is a request for market research purposes and information only. This is NOT a solicitation, and NO Quotes or Proposals are being requested or accepted. No contract will be awarded from this notice.

No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this notice.

Technical Direction

Technical direction for projects will be provided by an NRCS representative. Each task order will indicate a specific designated NRCS representative and contact information.

Task 1: Prescribed Burn Plan

A Prescribed Burn Plan shall be prepared for each designated area at assigned locations according to NRCS Standards and Specifications Prescribed Burning Code-338 (Attachment). The contractor and NRCS representatives will meet prior to the 2026 burn season and develop a strategy to address all the parcels identified in the project area within the 5 year time frame of the contract.

The Prescribed Burn Plan for each burn unit (contiguous acreage to be burned within a defined area, this may be multiple easements) will be provided to the designated NRCS representative in electronic copy format for review and acceptance prior to burning authorization.

Task 1 shall be submitted to the designated NRCS representative for review and approval for each burn season prior to February 28th of the planned burn year.

Task 2: Installation of Fire Breaks

Firebreaks will be installed according to the accepted Prescribed Burn Plan. The contractor is responsible for developing adequate vegetated firebreaks to contain the fire within the designated unit. The contractor is responsible for protecting water control structures and other easements specified items from damage during the fire. Items will be identified on the map of the parcel. Every effort should be made to limit damage to hunting blinds and fencing. The contractor is responsible for damage to NRCS identified structures. The contractor will contact the landowner via phone prior to installing burn breaks.

Task 3: Application of Prescribed Fire

The application of prescribed burns shall be performed in accordance to the accepted Prescribed Burn Plan for the designated areas according to site-specific specifications. The contractor is responsible for obtaining all required permits. The contractor is responsible for contacting the landowner via phone prior to the start of the burn season to inform the landowner(s) of the burn.

Contact will also be made to ensure the contractor has the proper phone number to use on short notice prior to the burn. The contractor will provide notice, via a phone call, to the landowner prior to the burn once the burn has been scheduled. Upon the completion of the initial treatment, the effectiveness of the treatment will be assessed and reported to NRCS.

The prescribed fire must consume at least 85% of the available fine fuel in the burn unit. The contractor will assess the fire effects immediately after conducting the burn and send an electronic copy of the completed Prescribed Burn Checklist (Attachment) and photos to the designated NRCS representative.

Contractors must have the ability and capacity to burn at least 5,500 acres per year in each year of the contract.

Contractor's Responsibility

• Safety. The contractor shall be cognizant of and comply with all applicable local, State & Federal laws and regulations.

• Liability. The contractor shall assume all liability for any damage resulting directly or indirectly from fires or associated smoke to properties or persons. A minimum of one million dollars in liability insurance is required for this contract.

• Development of individual burn plans. Each burn plan will be reviewed by the designated NRCS representative to ensure compliance with contract requirements prior to the burn.

• Burns will take place between March 1st to May 15th south of the I-94 corridor and to May 31st north of the I-94 corridor or as otherwise specified by NRCS. Burns outside this time frame will be authorized on a case by case basis with NRCS approval.

• Obtaining all required permits and authorizations.

• All landowners and neighbors will be contacted prior to the burn in accordance with MN DNR burn permit regulations.

• Construct necessary firebreaks to contain the fire within the planned unit.

• Implementation of the burn following the burn plan specifications, including all pre-ignition, ignition, control and smoke management activities.

The Contractor shall be responsible for the safety, professional quality and technical accuracy of all work performed and documentation submitted. The Contractor shall, without additional compensation, correct or revise any errors or deficiencies in submittals including drawings, maps, etc.

The purpose of this notice is to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities, and qualifications of interested parties including, Large Business, Small Business (SB), Economically Disadvantaged Small Business (EDSB); 8(a); Historically Underutilized Business (HUBZone); Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB); Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB); and Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business (EDWOSB). Responses received will be used in determining the type of solicitation to issue.

The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this work is 115310 – Support Activities for Forestry which carries a small business size standard of $11,500,000.00. It is anticipated that the Prescribed Burn contract will be procured by firm fixed-price contract.

The Government reserves the right to cancel this notice.

All interested businesses are encouraged to reply to this announcement. The Government is requesting that interested parties furnish/address the following information:

1. Company name, address, point of contact, telephone number, and e-mail address.

2. Type of business (Large, Small, 8(a), HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, or Woman Owned

Small Business, etc.)

3. Listing of completed projects within the last 3 years; specifically, prescribed burns.

Burn/fire size and location (County, State) to the planned & actual size of the burn area Time frames of the prescribed burn Type of work performed (preparation/post burn) List any special licensing held

Include Past Performance reference contact information.

In order to determine the extent of industry interest and capability, interested parties must submit responses by email to Kristina Baker, CO, kristina.baker@usda.gov no later than July 15, 2025 by 1:00 PM Central Time.