Vista BAER Preparations

The United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service is seeking a small business contractor to perform Vista Fire Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Preparations in the San Bernardino National Forest. The project involves installing two hazard signs, one 6" gate, one 8" gate, placing 25 rock boulder barricades, and restoring drainage function for 1 mile of roadway. The solicitation (127EAW25R0007) will be awarded using Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) criteria, with technical evaluation factors including past performance, work plan, key personnel, and performance schedule. Proposals are due on February 7, 2025, at 1700 PT, and the contractor must perform at least 25% of the work with their own forces. Technical and management requirements include maintaining fire safety protocols, minimizing mechanical activity during rainy periods, and following Forest Service and FHWA specifications.

The contract is a total small business set-aside under NAICS code 237310 (Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction) with a size standard of $45 million. The period of performance is 60 calendar days from the Notice to Proceed, with work to be completed in the San Bernardino, CA 92408 area. Contractors must provide 100% payment and performance bonds for projects over $250,000, and the Forest Service will provide certain materials like hazard signs, posts, and gate components from their San Bernardino Supervisor's Office. The project involves working in terrain ranging from flat to moderately hilly and steep, with soil conditions varying from soft and sandy to compacted and rocky. The Service Contract Act Wage Determination (No. 2015-5629) will govern wage rates, with minimum hourly wages starting at $17.75 and including specified fringe benefits for various occupational categories.