Leverich Helio Stewardship IRSC
Open Pre-Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- 12363N26Q4248
- Agency
-
Forest Service
Department of Agriculture
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- Total Small Business
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 113310 Logging
- Place of performance
- Montana 59718, United States
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
USDA Forest Service is seeking capability statements for helicopter-assisted timber removal and fuels reduction under the Leverich Helio Stewardship IRSC, a Total Small Business set-aside, with a due date of December 15, 2026. The Sources Sought/RFI is issued solely for market research and does not constitute a solicitation or a promise to issue one, and the Government will not reimburse response costs.
Anticipated work covers cutting and removing approximately 290 CCF of lodgepole pine sawtimber and 2,045 CCF of Douglas-fir and other sawtimber on 151 acres, with whole-tree helicopter yarding, slash piling at the landing area, and decommissioning of 0.59 miles of Temporary Road Use Permit roads after hauling. Government file summaries state that hand cutting is required for felling per NEPA analysis, and the Leverich Trail and airspace over the project area will close to the public by closure order.
The project sits in the northern Gallatin Mountain Range just south of Bozeman, Montana, on the Custer Gallatin National Forest, Bozeman Ranger District. Helicopter units lie west of FS Road #979 along Bozeman Creek, adjacent to City of Bozeman land. Anticipated start is late spring or early summer 2027, with performance not to exceed two operational seasons, dependent on weather, access, and coordination. Payment draws first on Stewardship Credits, with Forest Service funds applied if credits are exhausted. No award value is stated.
The October 1, 2026 site visit and the October 15, 2026, 4:00 p.m. MDT capability statement deadline have passed. Responses were directed to norma.windle@usda.gov, and Nathan Motzko (nathan.motzko@usda.gov) is the point of contact. A November 2, 2026 site Q&A update addresses period-of-performance input, crew camping, and non-motorized trail access.
Notice text
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
26/11/02 Update site questions on October 1, 2026.
see attachments: B14 and A15.
Sources Sought (SS) / Request for Information (RFI)
This Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for market research and planning purposes. It does not constitute a solicitation or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. The Government will not reimburse accompanying costs.
Any answers or attachments provided are based upon the best information available at the time of the visit and are subject to change.
1. Background & Purpose
USDA Forest Service seeks capability statements from qualified vendors able to conduct fuels reduction on steep and rugged terrain within Bozeman Municipal Watershed Project area for the anticipated Leverich Helio Stewardship IRSC. The purpose of this SS/RFI is to gather information on vendor capabilities, invite prospective vendors to an organized site visit on 10/01/2026, and to view the area before snow limits access.
2. Anticipated Scope of Work
- Cut and removal of approximately 290 CCF of Lodgepole pine sawtimber 2045 CCF of Douglas-fir and other Sawtimber on 151 acres.
- Whole-tree Helicopter yarding of included timber.
- Piling of slash at the landing area.
- Road Decommissioning of .59 miles of existing Temporary Road Use Permit (TRUP) roads post-hauling.
3. Place of Performance
The Leverich Helio Stewardship IRSC project is located in the northern Gallatin Mountain Range, just south of Bozeman, MT. Helicopter units are located on the west side of FS Road #979, along Bozeman Creek and adjacent to City of Bozeman land.
4. Period of Performance
Anticipated start date: Late Spring/Early Summer 2027. Period of performance is estimated to not exceed two operational seasons and is dependent on weather, access, and coordination.
5. Site Visit
An organized site visit will occur on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. MDT. Interested parties will meet at the Bozeman Ranger District located at 3710 Fallon St. Suite C. Bozeman, MT 59718. Interested parties should contact Nathan Motzko at nathan.motzko@usda.gov or 406-224-0323 by 12:00 p.m. MDT on September 30, 2026, if they intend to attend.
6. Requested Capability Statement Content
- Company information (UEI, address, email, POC, socio-economic status).
- Relevant experience, especially hazardous fuel reduction, helicopter yarding, steep slope timber operations.
- Safety program details and crew qualifications.
- Equipment lists and mobilization capabilities.
- Past performance references.
7. Response Instructions & Due Date
Any information submitted by vendors to this this SS/RFI is voluntary. Responses should be submitted electronically to Jeanne Windle at norma.windle@usda.gov. All responses are due no later than October 15, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. MDT.
8. Points of Contact
Direct all questions via email to Jeanne Windle, Contracting Officer at norma.windle@usda.gov.
Update #1 ·
Sources Sought (SS) / Request for Information (RFI)
This Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for market research and planning purposes. It does not constitute a solicitation or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. The Government will not reimburse accompanying costs.
Any answers or attachments provided are based upon the best information available at the time of the visit and are subject to change.
1. Background & Purpose
USDA Forest Service seeks capability statements from qualified vendors able to conduct fuels reduction on steep and rugged terrain within Bozeman Municipal Watershed Project area for the anticipated Leverich Helio Stewardship IRSC. The purpose of this SS/RFI is to gather information on vendor capabilities, invite prospective vendors to an organized site visit on 10/01/2026, and to view the area before snow limits access.
2. Anticipated Scope of Work
- Cut and removal of approximately 290 CCF of Lodgepole pine sawtimber 2045 CCF of Douglas-fir and other Sawtimber on 151 acres.
- Whole-tree Helicopter yarding of included timber.
- Piling of slash at the landing area.
- Road Decommissioning of .59 miles of existing Temporary Road Use Permit (TRUP) roads post-hauling.
3. Place of Performance
The Leverich Helio Stewardship IRSC project is located in the northern Gallatin Mountain Range, just south of Bozeman, MT. Helicopter units are located on the west side of FS Road #979, along Bozeman Creek and adjacent to City of Bozeman land.
4. Period of Performance
Anticipated start date: Late Spring/Early Summer 2027. Period of performance is estimated to not exceed two operational seasons and is dependent on weather, access, and coordination.
5. Site Visit
An organized site visit will occur on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. MDT. Interested parties will meet at the Bozeman Ranger District located at 3710 Fallon St. Suite C. Bozeman, MT 59718. Interested parties should contact Nathan Motzko at nathan.motzko@usda.gov or 406-224-0323 by 12:00 p.m. MDT on September 30, 2026, if they intend to attend.
6. Requested Capability Statement Content
- Company information (UEI, address, email, POC, socio-economic status).
- Relevant experience, especially hazardous fuel reduction, helicopter yarding, steep slope timber operations.
- Safety program details and crew qualifications.
- Equipment lists and mobilization capabilities.
- Past performance references.
7. Response Instructions & Due Date
Any information submitted by vendors to this this SS/RFI is voluntary. Responses should be submitted electronically to Jeanne Windle at norma.windle@usda.gov. All responses are due no later than October 15, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. MDT.
8. Points of Contact
Direct all questions via email to Jeanne Windle, Contracting Officer at norma.windle@usda.gov.
Files
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