Lookout services on the umatilla national forest

The United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service is soliciting quotes for lookout services to detect, report, and monitor fires within and adjacent to the Umatilla National Forest under solicitation number 1240BE26Q0056. The contractor must provide fire lookout personnel to maintain daily logs of events, monitor radio traffic, relay messages, plot and report fire start locations, provide fire behavior reports, and report weather observations and fuel moisture readings. The primary service requirement is seven-day-per-week coverage from 0900 to 1800 hours at the Oregon Butte Lookout facility located in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness. Award will be made to the offeror presenting the best value based on evaluation of past performance and pricing for all contract line items, including the base year, optional extensions, and overtime rates. Questions regarding the solicitation must be submitted by April 28, 2026 at 12:00 PM Pacific Time, and proposals are due May 4, 2026, with offers remaining firm for 90 calendar days from receipt.

This is a total small business set-aside contract under NAICS code 115310 (Support Activities for Forestry) with a small business size standard of $11.5 million. The service period runs from July 1, 2026 through October 15, 2028, consisting of one base year with two optional one-year extensions, with a guaranteed minimum of 60 days per season at a daily rate to be quoted by contractors. The contractor must furnish both primary and backup lookout personnel to ensure continuous seven-day coverage and is responsible for all personnel transportation, food, bedding, cleaning supplies, and water containers, while the government provides the lookout facility, equipment, radio communications, and basic amenities. Prevailing wage rates apply under the Service Contract Act, with Fire Lookout positions established at $19.38 per hour plus fringe benefits in accordance with Oregon Wage Determination 1977-0079-81. Work will be performed at the Oregon Butte Lookout facility in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness near Dayton, Washington at 6,000 feet elevation, accessible via a three-mile hiking trail.