Fiber Optic Install on the Apache-Sitgreaves, NF

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service seeks installation of fiber optic and structured cabling telecommunications infrastructure at ten sites on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Eastern Arizona, with quotations due July 17, 2026. This procurement is a Total Small Business Set-Aside restricted to concerns meeting the $19 million NAICS 238210 size standard.

Place of performance spans five ranger districts: Alpine, Black Mesa, Clifton, Lakeside, and Springerville. Work includes Cat 6 cabling for future Wireless Access Points at six sites, fiber optic cable extensions connecting buildings at five sites, and secure network equipment housing with associated IT infrastructure at four remote sites without prior IT infrastructure.

The contractor must be a telecommunications structured cabling systems specialist with a minimum of three years' experience (five years preferred) installing cabling, pathways, grounding, and bonding systems. Personnel must be certified in single-mode and multimode fiber optic splicing, termination, and testing per BICSI and TIA standards, with proficiency using light meters and OTDR equipment, and must be competent in Category-rated copper cable installation and termination. Licensed electricians must perform electrical work. All work must comply with ANSI/TIA-568, ANSI/TIA standards, NEC electrical codes, and J-STD-607-A grounding standards. The contractor must furnish comprehensive as-built drawings, testing documentation, cable records, and photographs within two weeks of completion.

Six base line items cover lump-sum projects at Alpine, Black Mesa, Clifton, and Lakeside Ranger Stations, plus Springerville Yard and Supervisor's Office. Four optional line items add complete IT infrastructure installations at Alpine Engine Building, Hannagan Helibase Hall, Blue Camp Cabin, and Pinedale Work Center. Performance begins 10 calendar days after notice to proceed and must be completed within 90 calendar days, including final site cleanup. Progress payments are permitted with standard retainage; performance and payment bonds are not required. All work includes a one-year materials and labor warranty. Davis-Bacon prevailing wages apply per county determinations in Apache, Greenlee, Navajo, and Coconino counties. Questions were due June 18; Amendment 001 extended the close date to July 8, then Amendment 002 (effective July 7) extended it further to July 17 and provided responses to 26 RFIs, site visit attendee lists, and office floor plans. An organized pre-bid site visit occurred June 3–4, 2026. Evaluation is based on technical approach, pricing fairness and reasonableness, and past performance rated as acceptable or neutral; the government intends to award one firm-fixed-price contract to the highest technically rated offeror with acceptable past performance and fair/reasonable pricing.