Bridge Inspection and Assessment - Prescott NF

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides clarifications and answers to vendor questions regarding the "127EAX26Q0013 Bridge Inspections and Assessment – Prescott NF" solicitation.

• Pricing Component: The government confirms that pricing is a required component of the response. The services are being procured as professional services, not as a construction A&E project, and bridge inspections are classified as professional engineering or technical services.
• Incumbent Contractor: The government has no history of prior contracts for these services, indicating this is a new contract.
• Previous Contract Number: As there is no prior contract history, a previous contract number cannot be provided.

This Q&A confirms that pricing is required and clarifies that this is a new contract, not a re-procurement of incumbent services.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To ensure the safety and structural integrity of three bridges within the Prescott National Forest through comprehensive inspections and load rating assessments.

• Bridge Inspections: Conduct safety inspections for three specific bridges (Bridge #9, Bridge #10, and Crooks Canyon Crossing) in accordance with the Specifications for the National Bridge Inventory (SNBI), March 2022.

• Load Ratings: Perform load ratings (Design Load Rating HL-93 and Legal Load Ratings for various AASHTO and FHWA vehicle types) in accordance with AASHTO’s Manual for Bridge Evaluation (MBE), 3rd ed., 2018.

• Data Collection: Gather all necessary data, including dimensions, deterioration details, and photographic evidence, to support inspection and load rating requirements.

• Reporting: Provide detailed inspection reports including condition assessments, recommended work items with cost estimates, and load rating results. All reports must be signed by a qualified Bridge Inspection Team Leader (BITL) and a registered Professional Engineer, respectively.

• Hidden Reinforcement: Determine the location, size, and extent of reinforcement in bridges where plans are unavailable, potentially using destructive and non-destructive techniques. A plan and equipment list for this task must be submitted.

• Inspections must adhere to SNBI standards.

• Load ratings must comply with AASHTO MBE and LRFD specifications.

• Reports must include specific details on dimensions, deterioration, pictures, work item cost estimates, and load rating calculations.

• A two-person inspection team is required, including a qualified BITL.

• All work must be completed within 90 days from the date of notice to proceed.

• Field inspections require coordination with the Forest Service regarding current road conditions and access needs.

• Bridge locations are specified by NFSR and milepost, with latitude/longitude coordinates provided.

• A proposed bridge inspection schedule must be submitted to the Contracting Officer at least 60 days prior to field inspections.

• Proof of BITL training must be submitted.

• Load ratings must be performed by or under the supervision of a registered Professional Engineer.

• No plans are available for the structures; bidders must account for determining hidden reinforcement.

• Payment is on a per-structure basis.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for Bridge Inspections and Assessments in the Prescott National Forest. The acquisition is set-aside for small business concerns. The government intends to make one Firm-Fixed-Price Contract award.

• Safety inspection of three bridges in accordance with the March 2022 Specifications for the National Bridge Inventory (SNBI).

• Load ratings in accordance with AASHTO's Manual for Bridge Evaluation (MBE), 3rd ed., 2018.

• The work involves architect and engineering services for general inspection (non-construction).

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price.

• Period of Performance: 90 calendar days after award (estimated 04/03/2026 to 07/02/2026).

• Questions are due via email to blaine.greenwalt@usda.gov by March 20th, 2026, 3:00 PM Pacific Time.

• Quotes are due via email to blaine.greenwalt@usda.gov by March 27th, 2026, 1:00 PM Pacific Time.

• Quotes will be evaluated based on Technical Approach, Technical Qualifications, Experience, Capacity to Complete the Inspection, Inspection and Load Rating Data, Past Performance, and Price.

• Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government, based on the highest technically rated offeror whose price is fair and reasonable, and whose past performance is acceptable or neutral. Tradeoffs will not be conducted.

• Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• Applicable NAICS Code: 541330 (Engineering Services).

• Small business size standard: $25.5M.

• Offerors must have an active entity registration at SAM.gov.

• The solicitation incorporates FAR provisions and clauses by reference; full text is available upon request or electronically at www.acquisition.gov.

• Offerors must submit completed SF1449, Price Proposal (Schedule of Items), and Technical Proposal as separate PDF documents.