Heli-Well Tank

The U.S. Forest Service, Region 3 – Southwestern Region (Department of Agriculture) is soliciting quotations for the procurement of one new metal rectangular/rigid water storage tank, commonly referred to as a "Heli-well," designed for wildland fire suppression operations. The tank will serve dual purposes: enabling helicopters to dip and reload water buckets for aerial firefighting and allowing fire engines and water tenders to draft water through a port located on the tank's bottom end. Key specifications include a transportable steel construction measuring 10 feet in width, 15 feet in length, and 10 feet in depth, with an open top for helicopter access, two 4-inch ports for filling, leak-proof construction, corrosion-resistant paint, and connection points for transportation and movement via bottom skids. The government will evaluate proposals based on pricing, warranty terms, delivery timeframe, and overall best value to the government. All interested vendors must submit quotations by December 18, 2025, with quotes directed to Christopher Wissen at christopher.wissen@usda.gov and submitted as three separate email attachments: Technical Proposal, Price Proposal, and Representations and Certifications.

This solicitation is designated as a 100% Total Small Business set-aside with NAICS code 332420 (Metal Tank Heavy Gauge Manufacturing) and a size standard of 750 employees, meaning only small businesses are eligible to compete. No incumbent contractors or award value information has been disclosed in the solicitation materials. The procurement requires delivery of the single water tank unit to the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest Black Mesa District Office in Overgaard, Arizona, with no extended timeline specified beyond the December 18, 2025 quote submission deadline. Prospective vendors must maintain an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration to be eligible for award consideration.