Communications Uses Market Rent Study

The USDA Forest Service seeks a contractor to conduct a comprehensive market rent survey for wireless communications use authorizations across approximately 1,400 communications sites on its 193 million acres of federal lands, with proposals due September 25, 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time and questions due September 7. A firm fixed-price contract is anticipated.

The survey will collect current market rental data for 11 Priority 1 communications use types (AM/FM radio, television, cellular, microwave, private mobile radio services, and others) organized by 10 population zones ranging from 5,000,000+ to under 4,999 residents. An optional Priority 2 scope addresses 10 additional use types. Scope is limited to data collection; no appraisal licenses, MAI designations, or state certifications are mandatory. The contractor may rely on proposed key personnel, teaming partners, and subcontractors for qualifications, provided the prime maintains overall project management and contract administration.

The estimated performance period is approximately 120 days from notice to proceed, with alternative schedules acceptable if justified. Deliverables include market survey data in digital format and a written market study report with narrative and graphical analysis. The contractor collects data from private lands, state and local government properties, and other applicable sources, with minimum sufficiency required for Priority 1 use types only; data deficiencies for specific use/zone combinations are acceptable if demonstrated in the study.

The contractor must handle confidential information, maintaining physical custody of proprietary data while providing access to Forest Service appraisers and subject matter experts via encrypted digital vault or contractor facilities. Payment occurs upon report review and recommendation by the Contracting Officer's Representative.

NAICS code 541611 applies. No small business set-asides apply. Evaluation criteria include technical approach, management approach (emphasizing team qualifications and data collection methodology), past performance, and price realism. This is a brand-new project with no incumbent. A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for September 15, 2026 at 1:00 PM ET; attendance is optional for proposal eligibility.