VIPR I-BPA for East ESB Zone Heavy Equipment Task Force (HETF) for Region 1 and Region 4 ONLY

Maintenance Cycle 21-04 replaces Wage Determination No. 1995-0224 (Rev 51) with Wage Determination No. 1995-0224 (Rev. 52) for all solicitation templates. (boj)

Changes to Dozer Typing and Section D Equipment Requirements. Remove D.2.4 ? Brakes on All Axles as this does not apply to the equipment under this solicitation.

Changes to Section D.2.1.6 Training/Experience: Added language clarifying that Region 4 does not require the annual light duty work capacity fitness test for this agreement.

Changes to Section E.2 Instructions for Submitting Technical Quotes: Changes to this section include removing the photo submission requirement and the addition of company experience documentation. Please see Section E.2 of the amended solicitation for full changes.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA), US Forest Service (USFS), ESB East Zone (Regions 1 and 4), is soliciting quotes (RFQ) for a consolidated requirement of Heavy Equipment Task Force (HETF) for use during Local, Regional, and nationwide fire suppression and all-hazard incidents.

The HETF will consist of one (1) Job Site Foreman with 4-wheel drive transportation, one (1) leveling Feller Buncher, one (1) rubber tired Skidder, one (1) Type II Dozer equipped with a 6 way blade (PAT) or manual angle with hydraulic tilt, one (1) drop tank Skidgine or Pumpercat that can also skid logs, and all transportation required to move entire HETF ordered equipment to and from a wildland fire incident. In addition a second Feller Buncher, an Excavator, or a Boom Mounted Masticator may be ordered as options within the HETF agreements. Section D.2 within the solicitation will contain equipment details.

The Contractor is responsible for all equipment, materials, supplies, transportation, lodging, trained/certified personnel, and supervision and management of those personnel, necessary to meet or exceed the Agreement specifications. The resources may be used in the protection of lands, to include but not be limited to, severity, fire suppression and all-hazard incidents.

RATES: Proposed rates should be based on up to a 16hr. Daily Shift and include all within B.2 -- PRICING AND ESTIMATED QUANTITY. Note transportation requirements within solicitation.

DISPATCH CENTER: Agreements will be competitively awarded within the hosting R1 and R4 Regional dispatch centers. Map link: https://www.nifc.gov/nicc/

INSPECTIONS: Pre-award inspections will not be conducted. Please see technical quote submittal requirements listed in SECTION E -- SOLICITATION PROVISIONS; E.1 -- INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS.

SET-ASIDES: The agreements will be competitively awarded. The Government anticipates awarding multiple preseason Incident Blanket Purchase Agreements (I-BPAs) using a total Small Business set aside with further consideration per Section B.6 -- SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS ADVANTAGE APPLICABLE TO DPL RANKING.

The Government will award enough I-BPAs to cover their foreseeable need for HETF in Regions 1 & 4. NOTE: The solicitation will be issued using the Virtual Incident Procurement (VIPR) system.

1) Vendors must have a valid e-mail address; all VIPR communications, to include rate negotiations and award notification, are conducted via e-mail.

2) Vendors must have a valid DUNS Number. Request a free DUNS Number from https://iupdate.dnb.com/iUpdate/companylookup.htm.

3) Vendors must have active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM): https://www.sam.gov/SAM/.

4) Vendors are required to have a USDA Level 2 eAuthentication account that provides the ability to conduct official electronic business transactions. WILL NEED THIS TO CREATE A VIPR ACCOUNT. Information: https://www.fs.fed.us/business/incident/eauth.php.

5) Vendors must submit a quote electronically using the VIPR Vendor Application: http://www.fs.fed.us/business/incident/vendorapp.php Technical Quote portion will require separate email of supporting tech documents to Government's designated email address within the solicitation. Tech Review Checklists can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire/contracting 

The Department of Agriculture (USDA), US Forest Service (USFS), ESB East Zone (Regions 1 and 4), anticipate soliciting quotes (RFQ) for a consolidated requirement of Heavy Equipment Task Force (HETF) for use during Local, Regional, and nationwide fire suppression and all-hazard incidents.

The HETF will consist of one (1) Job Site Foreman with 4-wheel drive transportation, one leveling Feller Buncher, one rubber tired Skidder, one Type II Dozer equipped with a 6 way blade (PAT) or manual angle with hydraulic tilt, one drop tank Skidgine or Pumpercat that can also skid logs, and all transportation required to move entire HETF ordered equipment to and from a wildland fire incident. In addition a second Feller Buncher, an Excavator, or a Boom Mounted Masticator may be ordered as options within the HETF agreements. Section D.2 within the solicitation will contain equipment details.

The Contractor is responsible for all equipment, materials, supplies, transportation, lodging, trained/certified personnel, and supervision and management of those personnel, necessary to meet or exceed the Agreement specifications.

The resources may be used in the protection of lands, to include but not be limited to, severity, fire suppression and all-hazard incidents.

RATES: Proposed rates should be based on up to a 16hr. Daily Shift and include all within B.2 -- PRICING AND ESTIMATED QUANTITY. Note transportation requirements within solicitation.

DISPATCH CENTER: Agreements will be competitively awarded within the hosting R1 and R4 Regional dispatch centers.

Map link: https://www.nifc.gov/nicc/

INSPECTIONS: Pre-award inspections will not be conducted. Please see technical quote submittal requirements listed in SECTION E -- SOLICITATION PROVISIONS; E.1 -- INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS.

SET-ASIDES: The agreements will be competitively awarded. The Government anticipates awarding multiple preseason Incident Blanket Purchase Agreements (I-BPAs) using a total Small Business set aside with further consideration per Section B.6 -- SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS ADVANTAGE APPLICABLE TO DPL RANKING. The Government will award enough I-BPAs to cover their foreseeable need for HETF in Regions 1 & 4.

NOTE: The solicitation will be issued using the Virtual Incident Procurement (VIPR) system.

1) Vendors must have a valid e-mail address; all VIPR communications, to include rate negotiations and award notification, are conducted via e-mail.

2) Vendors must have a valid DUNS Number. Request a free DUNS Number from https://iupdate.dnb.com/iUpdate/companylookup.htm.

3) Vendors must have active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM): https://www.sam.gov/SAM/.

4) Vendors are required to have a USDA Level 2 eAuthentication account that provides the ability to conduct official electronic business transactions. WILL NEED THIS TO CREATE A VIPR ACCOUNT.

Information: https://www.fs.fed.us/business/incident/eauth.php.

5) Vendors must submit a quote electronically using the VIPR Vendor Application: http://www.fs.fed.us/business/incident/vendorapp.php

Technical Quote portion will require separate email of supporting tech documents to Government's designated email address within the solicitation. Tech Review Checklists can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire/contracting