HB 84: Certified Prescribed Fire Manager Claims Fund Study

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is procuring a comprehensive three-phase study and facilitation process through limited solicitation to analyze options for creating, administering, and implementing a Prescribed Fire Claims Fund for Certified Prescribed Fire Managers (CPFM) as mandated by House Bill 84 from the 69th Montana Legislature (2025). The procurement seeks all services necessary to complete research, stakeholder engagement, analysis, modeling, and development of recommendations and reports regarding the proposed fund, with deliverables including detailed findings and strategic recommendations for fund implementation. Bidders must be capable of conducting market research, risk assessment analysis, and professional writing and polling services, with expertise in prescribed fire management policy and insurance/claims administration preferred. The solicitation opened on May 7, 2026 at 9:00 AM MDT and will close on June 1, 2026 at 9:00 AM MDT, with bids remaining sealed until the close date; prospective bidders must review and accept prerequisites including the Instructions to Bidders, scope of work, draft contract, State's Terms and Conditions, and debarment clause before submitting proposals. The evaluation criteria and specific performance metrics are outlined in the scope of work document located in the Prerequisites Tab, and all communication regarding this procurement must be directed through the procurement officer, Shauna Simpson (Shauna.Simpson@mt.gov or (406) 444-6724), with email being the preferred communication method; unauthorized contact may result in disqualification.

The solicitation does not specify set-aside designations or restrictions limiting responses to particular organization types, disadvantaged enterprises, or targeted vendors. No incumbent contractors or existing infrastructure requiring integration are identified in the procurement materials. Pricing is requested on a lump sum basis, with payment terms of Net 30 and 0% interest, though the specific budget range or award value is not disclosed in the available documentation. Interested bidders should contact the procurement officer directly to obtain the scope of work and any additional financial parameters that may inform their proposal development.