PEPRO Communications Shelter-Rim Site, Lincoln National Forest

The USDA Forest Service is seeking to procure a PEPRO 6x6 Communications Shelter including manufacture, delivery, installation, and removal services for the Lincoln National Forest's Rim site. This firm-fixed-price contract requires a specialized walk-in communications shelter with a 30-foot articulating mast, Faraday cage technology for electromagnetic protection, and equipment including antennas, battery systems, and solar mounting capabilities. The contractor must be certified by Pioneer Energy Products to maintain the 20-year warranty and complete all work within 22 months of contract award. Award will be made to the lowest evaluated price quote that meets all technical requirements, with new equipment only accepted and no partial quotes considered. Questions must be submitted by August 15, 2025 at 5:00 PM ET, with quotes due to Derick Yara at derick.yara@usda.gov by August 22, 2025 at 5:00 PM ET.

Despite the main solicitation indicating "No Set-Aside Used," the RFQ document shows this is actually set aside for small businesses under the Total Small Business Set-Aside clause. The procurement utilizes NAICS code 334220 for Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing, with the Forest Service's annual budget allocation for communication shelter projects ranging from $1.5-5 million. The shelter system will be delivered to 3500 Airport Road, Alamogordo, NM 88310, then installed at specific coordinates on Rim Mountain in the Carlsbad Ranger District. The project includes removing and disposing of an existing 6x8 fiberglass shelter and 22-foot sectioned tower, with the new installation requiring compliance with TIA-222 standards for 98mph wind speeds and specialized ballast anchoring using 64 steel units at 100 pounds each. Market research conducted in January 2025 resulted in six initial quotes, though only two vendors provided the required PEPRO certification for installation services.