2027 LaCroix Ranger District IRSCs
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The U.S. Forest Service is conducting market research through this Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI) to identify timber operators and fuels contractors capable of performing hazardous fuels reduction treatments via timber harvest. This effort targets difficult-to-access locations within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) on the LaCroix Ranger District of the Superior National Forest, Minnesota. Responses are due June 1, 2026.
Scope of Work
The anticipated scope involves harvesting approximately 16.8 million board feet (MMBF) of low-value timber across 2,103 acres in four project areas: Can Crusher, Finkus, Pac Man, and Wild. Treatment methods include clearcut, shelterwood, and/or commercial thinning. Additional services may include:
- Temporary road construction and obliteration.
- Slash piling and covering.
- Pre-commercial thinning and/or timber stand improvement.
- Forest system road improvements for erosion control.
- Manual/mechanical fireline construction and fuel break establishment.
- Hazardous fuel reduction (e.g., balsam fir, dead standing/down, brush, logging slash) through mastication, mulching, crushing, chipping, slashing, and cut-and-pile methods.
- Removal of non-merchantable (biomass) material.
Place of Performance & Timeline
Work will be performed in four project areas on the LaCroix Ranger District, Superior National Forest, Cook, MN. A map (2027 LaCroix RD Planned IRSCs.pdf) provides crucial visual context for these locations and planned treatment types (Thinning, CCR, Shelterwood). A solicitation is anticipated by Spring 2027, with all work to be completed by May 2031.
Requested Information
Interested parties must submit a capability statement detailing:
- Company information (UEI, address, POC, socio-economic status).
- Registered NAICS codes (F014 - Tree Thinning Services is relevant).
- Relevant experience in northern Minnesota timber harvest, including thinning, clearcut, crushing/slashing sub-merchantable material, and temporary road construction/maintenance.
- Experience with stand improvement and hazardous fuel reduction.
- Safety program details and crew qualifications.
- Equipment lists and mobilization capabilities. Additionally, a project questionnaire must be completed, addressing interest in project areas, timeline feasibility, potential challenges, anticipated benefits, experience with Designation by Prescription, and proposed pricing structures.
Response Instructions & Open House
Responses must be submitted electronically to ingrid.anderson@usda.gov and matthew.daigle@usda.gov by June 1, 2026, at 08:00 A.M. PDT. An in-person informational open house will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 4:00 P.M - 6:00 P.M Central at the LaCroix Ranger District office, 320 N Hwy 53, Cook, MN 55723. RSVP to lori.karau@usda.gov by May 19, 2026, 5:00 P.M Central.
Additional Notes
This RFI is for market research and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. The government will not reimburse response costs.