Heritage Surveys of the Austin Wildlife Resiliency Project on the MNF

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is soliciting bids for Heritage Surveys of the Austin Wildlife Resiliency Project on the Malheur National Forest, covering approximately 110 acres across Crook County and the City of Portland. The Invitation to Bid (ITB #S-62900-00003405) seeks a contractor to perform comprehensive surveys, data collection, analysis, and documentation to ensure NEPA compliance for the project. Bidders must have a minimum of three years of relevant experience and provide a Principal Investigator who meets the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualification Standards. Key deliverables include attending a pre-work meeting, conducting monthly progress review meetings, preparing a scoping report, and performing stand characterization and needs assessments. The project must be completed by March 1, 2023, with bids due on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at 2:00 PM. Evaluation will focus on determining the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with specific attention to the qualifications of key personnel and the ability to meet project requirements. The scope of work involves heritage surveys within the Malheur National Forest, specifically targeting the Prairie City and Blue Mountain Ranger Districts.

The ITB documents do not explicitly detail specific set-aside designations or restrictions on bidder types, nor do they provide comprehensive information about incumbent vendors or precise award values. The project involves multiple jurisdictions, including Gilliam County and Jacksonville City, but no specific budget range is outlined in the available documentation. While the contract will involve work with various habitats and considers Threatened, Endangered, Sensitive, and Proposed (TESP) species, there are no clear indications of preferential treatment for disadvantaged enterprises or small businesses. The contractor will be required to navigate complex environmental considerations, including potential interactions with Native American tribal nations, though the contracting agency has not confirmed specific communication requirements. All bids must be submitted electronically to the designated Single Point of Contact, with no payments authorized for work performed before the contract's effective date or after termination.