Prescott National Forest, Forest-wide Water Operator

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service is seeking a certified water operator to provide forest-wide water operations, sampling, and testing services for the Prescott National Forest under solicitation number 127EAU26Q0033. The contractor must possess a current Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Grade 1 Water Operator certification and maintain a main office within 200 miles of all forest water systems. Key responsibilities include monthly microbiological sampling and testing, annual nitrate and nitrite testing, certified operator inspections, chlorinator maintenance and refills, annual backflow preventer inspections, and onsite troubleshooting and consulting services. Evaluation will be based primarily on technical approach and past performance, with an acceptable or neutral rating required, followed by an assessment of price fairness and reasonableness. Offerors must submit questions by April 7, 2026 at 12:00 PM Mountain Time, with proposals due by April 13, 2026 at 5:00 PM Mountain Time. Amendment #1, issued on March 31, 2026, provided clarifications regarding contractor responsibilities and updated the Schedule of Items.

This solicitation is designated as a Total Small Business Set-Aside under NAICS code 541380 with a $19 million size standard, though no current incumbent is identified in the available documents. The contract will be awarded to a single contractor on a firm-fixed price basis for a one-year base period beginning June 1, 2026 and ending May 31, 2027, with two optional one-year renewal periods extending through May 31, 2029. The scope of work encompasses ten public water systems across Prescott National Forest, including eight recreation sites for initial disinfection and startup, 97 total sites (19 cabin rental sites and 78 other recreation sites) requiring ongoing sampling and testing, and 37 facilities requiring backflow preventer inspections. The contractor must also provide as-needed repeat sampling and Level 1 or Level 2 chlorination assessments at specified locations, along with hourly onsite consulting services with mileage reimbursement. Performance of all services will take place in Prescott, Arizona, with payment to be made via electronic funds transfer to an address in Albuquerque, New Mexico.