Aspen/Sopris Ranger District-Vault Pumping Services

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service seeks quotations for septic pumping services at eight recreation sites on the White River National Forest Aspen/Sopris Ranger District in Colorado, with quotes due August 28, 2026. This is a Total Small Business set-aside; the small business size standard is nine million dollars.

Place of performance is Aspen, Colorado (Eagle, Garfield, Pitkin, and Summit Counties). The contractor must provide pumping services for nine vault toilets across eight sites—Thomas Lakes Trailhead, Dinkle Lake Trailhead, Avalanche Creek Trailhead, Portal Campground, Upper Lostman Trailhead, Grottos Trailhead, Maroon Bells Grays, and Maroon Bells 4-Holer—during the May 1 through November 30 operating season. Vaults must be pumped when they reach 80% capacity with 90% of contents removed, generally requiring at least one pumping per year. The contractor must respond to pumping requests within 14 calendar days and furnish a toilet pumping vehicle capable of navigating dirt roads with sufficient hose length to reach remote locations. Special access constraints apply: four-wheel drive and high-clearance vehicles are required at Avalanche Creek and Portal; Highway 82 sites impose a 35-foot maximum vehicle length restriction.

The contract period is one base year (September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027) plus four one-year option periods through August 31, 2031, on a firm-fixed-price basis. The NAICS code is 562991, Septic Tank and Related Services. Evaluation uses lowest price technically acceptable criteria, with technical acceptability requiring demonstration of relevant vault pumping experience in remote or rural environments within the past five years. Past performance is evaluated as acceptable, neutral, or unacceptable using CPARS records and contractor references. Offerors must submit pricing for the base year and all four option years and provide descriptions of at least three recent projects, identification of all equipment, evidence of required licenses and permits, and documentation of ability to handle access limitations and weather constraints. Questions are due August 12 at 12:00 PM Pacific Time to curtis.r.landreth@usda.gov. Amendment 1, posted August 14, clarifies vault quantities and geographic coordinates; offerors must acknowledge receipt of the amendment.