Dowling, Bernard

Dowling, Bernard is a self-certified small disadvantaged business located in Etna, California, registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) since July 23, 2007. The company specializes in providing critical equipment rentals and services primarily to the U.S. Forest Service, with a focus on supporting wildland fire suppression and natural resource management activities. As a sole proprietorship, Dowling, Bernard has established itself as a key provider of specialized heavy equipment and water handling services across multiple Forest Service regions in the western United States.

The company has consistently been awarded delivery orders for equipment rentals, particularly Type 2 water tenders, dozers, excavators, and related incident support services. These contracts, predominantly with the U.S. Forest Service's Pacific Southwest Region (Region 5) and the National Interagency Fire Center, range in value from approximately $4,800 to $103,681. The delivery orders are typically firm fixed-price contracts supporting wildfire suppression efforts, vegetation management, and emergency response operations. Many of these awards have been unrestricted, though Dowling, Bernard has benefited from small business set-aside opportunities, allowing the company to compete effectively for federal contracts supporting critical wildland fire and natural resource management missions.

Dowling, Bernard holds three significant Indefinite Delivery Contracts (IDCs) with the U.S. Forest Service, each valued at $250,000 and set aside for small businesses. These IDCs cover multiple regions, including Regions 3, 5, 6, and 10, and are designed to provide rapid equipment and service procurement for emergency incidents. The first IDC, effective through June 2030, focuses on heavy equipment rentals like feller bunchers, mulchers, road graders, and skidders. The second IDC, running through June 2028, specifically targets heavy equipment rentals for Regions 5 and 6. The third IDC, valid through June 2025, provides comprehensive water handling services across the specified regions. These contracts enable the Forest Service to quickly access specialized equipment and operators for firefighting, vegetation clearing, and land management activities, with Dowling, Bernard playing a crucial role in supporting these critical missions.

Water truck for use on forest fires.

Vehicle w/driver for use on forest fires