2026 Field Inventory Analysis Ongrid Area 4

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) under FAR Part 12. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is procuring services for locating and installing or remeasuring Forest Inventory plots on all lands and ownerships. The contractor will furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, and operating supplies, with the exception of Government Furnished Equipment.

• Plot Remeasurement: Specifically, "Plot Remeasurement" (Item 0001) and "Plot Remeasurement (Wilderness/Remote/Sample Kind 1)" (Item 0002).

• The work involves furnishing all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals.

• Contract Type: Anticipated firm-fixed price contract.

• Period of Performance: Estimated from 5/1/2026 to 10/31/2026.

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but the acquisition is a Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• Multiple Awards: The Government reserves the right to make multiple awards for different line items if it determines it to be in the best value to the Government.

• Submission Deadline: Offers must be submitted electronically via email by April 8, 2026, at 3:00 PM (PT).

• Evaluation Criteria: Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government, based on the following factors:

  1. Technical Capability: Offerors must demonstrate the ability to perform all requirements set forth in the Statement of Work (Attachment 01). Rated as Acceptable or Unacceptable.
  2. Past Performance: Assesses the offeror's likelihood of success based on recent and relevant performance. Rated as Acceptable or Unacceptable.
  3. Price: Not formally scored but is the primary evaluation factor for determining award. Offers must be complete and reasonable. Options will be evaluated.

• Submission Format: Offers should contain 3 separate attachments: Technical Capability (PDF), Past Performance (PDF), and Price (PDF).

• Set-Aside: This acquisition is set-aside for small business concerns. It is a Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• Size Standard: The applicable North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) Code is 115310, with a small business size standard of $11.5.

• Responsiveness: Contractors must submit pricing for all items to be considered responsive.

• Attachments: The solicitation references several attachments, including Statement of Work (Attachment 01), Exhibits (Attachment 02), Fire Protection and Suppression Plan (Attachment 03), Non-Disclosure Agreement (Attachment 04), and Wage Determination (Attachment 05).

• Questions: Questions must be submitted via email by April 1, 2026, at 3:00 PM (PT). Answers will be posted in SAM.gov by April 3, 2026.

• Site Visit: No site visit has been scheduled; offerors are encouraged to conduct their own research at their own expense.

• Provisions and Clauses: The solicitation incorporates numerous FAR and AGAR clauses and provisions by reference. Key clauses include those related to commercial items, small business concerns, past performance, and labor standards.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This document outlines the requirements for locating, installing, or remeasuring Forest Inventory plots across various land ownerships in California, Oregon, Washington, and Region 6 administered lands in Idaho.

• The contractor will be responsible for locating and measuring Forest Inventory plots on federal, state, county, local government, private, and individual lands.

• Access to plots may require various methods including hiking, horse packing, boat, airplane, or helicopter, with associated costs to be determined by the offeror.

• The contractor must coordinate and obtain access permission from landowners, documenting all contacts and permissions.

• Work must be performed in accordance with the "Field Instructions for the Annual Inventory of California, Oregon, Washington" and other specified procedures.

• Full payment is contingent on achieving a score of 95% or above on the Inspection Quality Form (EXHIBIT A).

• Scores between 85% and 94.9% will result in proportional payment.

• Scores below 85% may require rework, with potential for rework of entire packets if issues are systemic.

• Repeated inaccuracies may lead to crew replacement.

• Three consecutive plots failing inspection or two field inspections by an individual/crew may result in employee replacement.

• The anticipated annual period of performance is May 1, 2026, to October 31, 2026.

• Critical plots must be completed by September 15, 2026.

• The project locations are within the states of California, Oregon, Washington, and Region 6 administered land in Idaho.

• Contractor must provide labor, equipment (including computer hardware/software), supervision, transportation, and operating supplies.

• All personnel must sign a Nondisclosure Agreement (NDA).

• Contractor must use Government-supplied software for data collection and adhere to data handling procedures.

• In California, each crew must have a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) on site.

• Crew Leaders must meet specific education and experience requirements.

• The contractor must coordinate with landowners and adhere to any restrictions, including those related to permits and landscape preservation.

• A job-specific safety plan must be provided.

• Compliance with fire precautionary measures is required.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "1240BG26Q0014 Attachment 02 - Exhibits.pdf", contains a series of exhibits that provide detailed instructions, forms, and data related to the opportunity. These exhibits are crucial for bidders to understand the specific requirements, procedures, and data formats expected for the project.

• Exhibit A: Inspection Quality Form: Details the criteria and scoring for quality inspections, including categories like Plot Attributes, Condition Class, and Tree & Snag Attributes.
• Exhibit B: Field Instructions: Provides guidance for the Annual Inventory of California, Oregon, and Washington, including special study field instructions.
• Exhibit C: Nondisclosure Agreement: A standard NDA to be included as an attachment.
• Exhibit D: Plot List: A list of critical plots with location data (State, City, Lat/Lon, Town, RGE, SECT, Reserve Name, Owner, Elevation, etc.) and a deadline of September 15, 2026, for completion.
• Exhibit E: Plot Vicinity Maps: Visual representations of plot locations within Oregon.
• Exhibit F: Hardware, Software, and Data Processing Procedures: Outlines the required Personal Data Recorders (PDRs), Personal Computers/Laptops, Submeter GNSS units, and detailed data processing steps.
• Exhibit G: Landowner Contact: States that the landowner contact form is not required for this solicitation.
• Exhibit H: Electronic Plot Files: Describes the structure and content of Electronic Plot Folders (EPF), including historical reference files and current survey files, and provides examples.
• Exhibit I: Electronic Plot Folder Inspection Form: A checklist for inspecting electronic plot folders.
• Exhibit J: Electronic Plot Folder Instructions: Details the process for transferring EPFs, installing Box Drive, and general/detailed EPF processes, including plot packaging and loading into MIDAS.
• Exhibit K: Survey Grade GNSS Instructions: Provides configuration and usage instructions for the JAVAD Triumph-2 GNSS Receiver, including setup on computers, iPhones, and Android devices.
• Exhibit L: Forms and Guides: States that no forms and guides are included for this solicitation.
• Exhibit M: Safety Plan: Requires the Contractor to provide a detailed safety plan to the COR.

This document is highly relevant as it specifies the technical requirements, data collection and processing procedures, hardware/software specifications, and quality assurance measures. Bidders must review these exhibits carefully to ensure they can meet all stipulated requirements, including the use of specific equipment and software, adherence to data formatting, and completion of tasks within specified timelines (e.g., plot completion by September 15, 2026).

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the fire protection and suppression requirements for contractors operating within the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. It details specific measures and precautions to prevent and control fires during operations.

• Fire Period and Closed Season: April 1 to October 31 annually, subject to change by the Forest Service.
• Fire Plan: Contractors must prepare and submit a fire plan in cooperation with the Contracting Officer.
• Fire Precautions: Specific measures for smoking, open fires, fire extinguishers, power saws, spark arresters, and mufflers.
• Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPL): Details different levels of restrictions (Closed Season, Partial Hootowl, Partial Shutdown, General Shutdown) based on fire danger, affecting operations like power saws, cable yarding, blasting, and welding.
• Additional Fire Precautionary Measures: Requirements for tank trucks (minimum 300 gallons of water) and adequate two-way communication facilities.
• Fire Tools: Specific firefighting tools required, including axes, hoes, and shovels.
• Fire Security: Designation of a person for fire security services when IFPL is "I" or higher.

This document is critical for any bidder whose operations may involve fire risk. It specifies mandatory equipment, operational restrictions based on fire danger levels, planning requirements, and personnel responsibilities related to fire prevention and suppression. Understanding and complying with these requirements will be essential for successful contract performance and safety.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) between the USDA Forest Service (Provider) and a cooperator (Recipient). It establishes the conditions under which proprietary information of the USDA Forest Service, specifically related to the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program, PNW Research Station, can be disclosed to the Recipient. This includes confidential plot locations and associated inventory data for the PNW FIA field plot measurement project.

• Defines "Proprietary Information" broadly to include data, know-how, formulas, processes, designs, sketches, photographs, plans, drawings, specifications, samples, reports, customer lists, price lists, studies, findings, inventions, or ideas.
• Outlines specific conditions for handling confidential data, including:
  • Prohibiting copying or distributing sample site location data without authorization.
  • Forbidding attempts to identify sample site locations.
  • Restricting data use to "collection, statistical, analytical and research purposes" that enhance the FIA Program.
  • Prohibiting dissemination of owner-specific data to unauthorized individuals.
  • Requiring secure storage of confidential data on password-protected computers with limited network access.
• Specifies that the agreement is effective for 5 years from the date of signature, with confidentiality obligations extending for an additional 5 years post-expiration.
• States that the agreement is governed by U.S. Federal Courts in the District of Columbia.
• Notes that FIA plot location, ownership information, and private business information are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) under specific subsections.

This document is crucial for any potential bidder or cooperator who will be handling sensitive data related to the USDA Forest Service's FIA Program. It outlines the legal and procedural requirements for maintaining the confidentiality of this information, which is essential for compliance and successful participation in related projects or opportunities.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Register of Wage Determinations Under the Service Contract Act" for Forestry and Logging Services in Oregon Statewide. It provides the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits that must be paid to various occupational classifications employed on covered contracts.

• Occupational Listings: Details specific job titles (e.g., Brush/Precommercial Thinner, Forestry Equipment Operator, Tree Planter) with corresponding minimum hourly wage rates.
• Fringe Benefits: Specifies Health & Welfare benefits ($5.55/hour or $5.09/hour under EO 13706), paid vacation (2-3 weeks after 1-10 years of service), and a minimum of eleven paid holidays per year.
• Uniform Allowance: Outlines requirements for providing uniforms and reimbursement for cleaning costs ($3.35/week) if applicable.
• Executive Orders: Includes notes on Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and Executive Order 13658 (Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors), detailing their applicability and requirements.
• Conformance Process: Describes the procedure for requesting authorization of additional classifications and wage rates if a required job classification is not listed.

This wage determination is critical for bidders to accurately estimate labor costs for the opportunity. It establishes the minimum compensation and benefits that must be provided to employees performing the work, directly impacting the overall cost of proposals. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages and benefits meet or exceed these requirements.