VIPR I-BPA for FALLER for Region 5 - Pacific Southwest Region

The Department of Agriculture (USDA), US Forest Service (USFS), Pacific Southwest Region 5 (California) intends to solicit quotes (Request for Quotes) for FALLER resources for use during Local, Regional, and Nation-wide fire suppression and all-hazard incidents. Vendors are 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 limited to, severity, fire suppression, and all-hazard incidents.

The agreements will be competitively awarded within Region 5. The Government anticipates awarding multiple Incident Blanket Purchase Agreements (I-BPA) using set asides for standard Small Business as defined under NAICS Code 115310. The Small Business size standard is $20.5 million. Only small businesses verifying small business status under NAICS 115310 in an active SAM account will be considered for award.

The solicitation will be issued using the Virtual Incident Procurement (VIPR) system. Basic information about the VIPR system and a Vendor User Guide is located at: http://www.fs.fed.us/business/incident/vipr.php

Other information pertinent for vendors:

1) Vendors must have a valid DUNS number. Request a free DUNS Number from Dun and Bradstreet on the web at:  https://iupdate.dnb.com/iUpdate/companylookup.htm

2) Register in the System for Award Management (SAM) as stated in the solicitation. Vendors can access SAM at www.sam.gov. IMPORTANT: Contractors account must be active in SAM as it is directly related to receiving an award under this solicitation and any payment for orders placed under the awarded Agreement. SAM must be updated annually. Registering in SAM is FREE.

3) Vendors are required to have a USDA Level 2 eAuthentication account that provides the ability to conduct official electronic business transactions. Information for obtaining a Level 2 eAuthentication account is available on the web at https://www.fs.fed.us/business/incident/eauth.php?tab=tab_d

4) INSPECTION DOCUMENTATION (TECHNICAL PROPOSAL) MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE GOVERNMENT AT THE ADDRESS STATED ON THE CHECK SHEET BY THE SOLICITATION CLOSING DATE.  For details, see the Check Sheet, provision D.16, and Exhibit H of the solicitation when published.

5) Vendors must use the VIPR Vendor Application to view and respond to the solicitation. Vendors must register and submit a quote electronically in this application NO LATER THAN THE CLOSING DATE AND TIME.  Vendors must register in this application on the web at https://www.fs.fed.us/business/incident/vendorapp.php?tab=tab_d

The solicitation will only be available electronically and will be posted to the beta.sam.gov website on or about March 10, 2020. 

NO PAPER COPIES WILL BE ISSUED, AND NO EMAIL OR TELEPHONE REQUESTS FOR THE SOLICITATION WILL BE ACCEPTED. 

AFTER REVIEWING THE SOLICITATION please EMAIL specific questions to the appropriate contact.

Contracting Point of Contact:
Wendy Whiteman
wendy.whiteman@usda.gov

Technical Point of Contact:
Rita Burkhalter-Broadnax
rita.burkhalterbroadnax@usda.gov

Region 5 Incident Procurement Website--
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r5/fire-aviation/management/?cid=stelprdb5303034