Deschutes NF, Site Preparation - Mowing and Road Brushing

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items for site preparation, specifically mowing and road brushing, for the Deschutes National Forest, Sisters Ranger District. The North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) code is 115310, with a small business size standard of $11 million. This acquisition is a Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• Masticate multiple acres of brush to prepare for reforestation efforts.

• "Mow" and "mastication" are used interchangeably.

• Brush out roads and ditches to improve driving conditions.

• Contractor must furnish a Type 2 Excavator (min. 111 HP, 30,000 lbs) with forestry grousers and operator, and a mower with a mastication head and operator.

• Operators must have sufficient skill and experience.

• Detailed requirements are in Attachment 3 – Statement of Work.

• Award Type: Firm Fixed Price Purchase Order.

• The Government intends to make one award.

• Period of Performance: Estimated Start March 30, 2026; Completion by November 30, 2026.

• Location: Umpqua National Forest, Sisters Ranger District, Deschutes County.

• Submission Deadline: February 25, 2026, 2:00 PM PST, via email to the Contracting Officer.

• Required Documents: Attachment 2 – Schedule of Items, and written response to Evaluation Factors.

• Offerors must hold prices for 60 calendar days.

• Questions due no later than three days prior to quote due date, submitted via email to paula.winningham@usda.gov.

• Evaluation Factors:

  • FACTOR I – Technical Capability (Equipment, Soil Impact/Erosion Method, Quality Control, Safety Plan).
  • FACTOR II - Relevant Past Performance (within the last 3 years, similar nature/scope).
  • FACTOR III – Price (primary factor for award, subject to reasonableness analysis).

• Award will be made to the responsible Quoter representing the best value.

• Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• All responsible sources may submit a quotation.

• This document constitutes the only solicitation; no separate written solicitation will be issued.

• Full text of provisions and clauses accessed at www.acquisition.gov.

• Site visit is urged and expected.

• Numerous attachments are provided, including SOW, Schedule of Items, Maps, Wage Determination, etc.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document contains maps and associated data for various units within the Sisters Ranger District, Deschutes National Forest, related to reforestation site preparation. It serves as a visual aid for understanding the locations, sizes, and access conditions of these units.

• Unit Identification: Each map section is labeled with a unit number and its corresponding acreage.
• Geographic Data: Maps display contour lines, trails, roads (categorized by vehicle suitability), and township/section lines.
• Site Preparation Areas: Dotted patterns indicate areas designated for "sitePrep_July25".
• Avoidance Areas: Shaded areas are marked as "Avoidance".
• Road Event Operations: A legend categorizes roads based on suitability for different vehicle types (2-High Clearance Vehicles, 3-Suitable for Passenger Cars, 4-Moderate Degree of User Comfort, 5-High Degree of User Comfort).

This document is crucial for bidders to:

• Visualize Work Areas: Understand the precise location and boundaries of the reforestation units.
• Assess Access: Determine the type of access roads available to each unit and plan logistics accordingly.
• Identify Constraints: Recognize any "Avoidance" areas that may impact operations.
• Estimate Scope: Correlate the acreage of each unit with its geographical representation on the map.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Attachment 2, a Schedule of Items for Solicitation #1240BE26Q0019, "Deschutes NF, Site Preparation - Mowing and Road Brushing." It details the specific items, quantities, and units for which pricing is required from potential offerors.

• Base Items: Includes 18 "Units" (Unit 1 through Unit 18) requiring mowing services, with specified acreage for each.
• Option 1: Includes "Unit 19" (mowing) and "Road 1513200" (road brushing), with specified acreage and miles, respectively.
• Option 2: Includes "Unit 20" and "Unit 21" (mowing), with specified acreage.
• Option 3: Includes "Unit 22" through "Unit 25" (mowing) and "Road 1040700" (road brushing), with specified acreage and miles.
• Option 4: Includes "Unit 26" and "Unit 27" (mowing) and "Road 1040720" and "Road 1040730" (road brushing), with specified acreage and miles.
• Fields for "Unit Price" and "Total Amount" are provided for each item.
• Instructions state "No rounding off unit pricing or totals. Unit price and totals shall be in exact dollars and cents (two decimals)."

This document is critical for bidders to understand the scope of work and to prepare their pricing proposals. Bidders must fill in the unit prices and total amounts for all base items and any optional items they wish to bid on. The "Total Base and All Option Items" section will summarize the total proposed cost. The document also specifies the Period of Performance: Estimated Start Date March 30, 2026, and Completion Date November 30, 2026. Offerors must provide their UEI and sign the document. Optional items may be awarded based on funding availability.

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

This Statement of Work outlines requirements for masticating existing brush and logging out roads to improve driving conditions on the Deschutes National Forest, Sisters Ranger District.

• Masticate 761 acres of brush for reforestation efforts.

• Brush and masticate 3.528 miles of roads, including 15 feet on each side of the centerline, to improve driving conditions.

• Scatter any deadfall.

• Furnish a Type 2 Excavator (min 111 HP & 30,000 lbs) with a rotating drum or blade mowing attachment.

• Equipment must be durable and designed for forest conditions, with ground pressure not exceeding 7 lbs/sq inch.

• Mastication treatment aims for 65-70% of existing brush, leaving 35-30% retention in untreated islands.

• Do not masticate woody debris over 12 inches in diameter or trees over 4.5 feet in height.

• Specific brush species to be treated include antelope bitterbrush, greenleaf manzanita, snowbrush, golden chinkapin, and rabbitbrush.

• Slash treatment involves mastication to a maximum height of 12 inches.

• Work to be performed from March 30, 2026, through November 30, 2026.

• Location: Deschutes National Forest, Sisters Ranger District, around Trout Creek Butte.

• Contractor must provide MUTCD approved signage for traffic control.

• Contractor is responsible for any damage to existing structures and must restore them to original condition.

• Equipment must be cleaned and certified weed-free before entering National Forest lands.

• Specific wildlife restrictions apply during certain periods for various bird species.

• Seasonal restrictions for Unit 14 (54 Acres) and Unit 15 (56 Acres) are April 1 – August 30.

• Safety hazards identified include tree falling, traffic control, heavy equipment operation, hydraulic/pneumatic hazards, mechanical hazards, uneven ground, and dead trees/limbs. A job-specific Safety Plan is required.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements are detailed, including head, hearing, eye/face, leg, and hand protection.

• Contractor must obtain permission for any camp operations and remove all equipment before final acceptance.

• A post-award pre-work meeting is required within 10 days of contract award.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 4 Deschutes NF, Site Preparation - Mowing and Road Brushing Detailed Unit Information Sheet," provides specific details for various units requiring mowing and road brushing services. It outlines the scope of work, unit characteristics, and any restrictions or special notes for each designated area.

• Unit Identification: Each entry specifies a "Base" or "Optional" unit number.
• Unit Characteristics: Includes elevation (feet), acres, and slope percentage.
• Implementation Details: Describes the primary task of mowing snowbrush, bitterbrush, and manzanita, with instructions to plan mowing passes to minimize turning and soil disturbance.
• Restrictions: Specifies that trees 4.5 feet in height, rock outcroppings, and areas of downed wood concentrations should be left unmowed (up to 35% of the unit area).
• Special Notes: Includes critical information such as staying within boundaries due to soil and hydrological concerns, wildlife restrictions (no treatment from April 1 - August 30), and specific instructions for optional units regarding access, signage, trail maintenance, and avoidance areas.

This attachment is crucial for bidders to understand the granular details of the work required for site preparation. It allows for accurate estimation of resources, equipment, and labor needed for each unit, as well as awareness of environmental and operational constraints that will impact execution. Bidders must carefully review the specific requirements and restrictions for each unit to develop a comprehensive and compliant proposal.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an 'Equipment Cleaning Inspection Form' (Attachment 6) intended to certify that equipment used for an opportunity has been thoroughly cleaned of soil, seeds, and vegetative material, in accordance with contract provisions. It serves as a record of compliance before equipment is used or deployed.

• Date: Date of inspection.
• Contract #, Contract Name: Identifies the specific contract this inspection relates to.
• Contractor Representative & USFS CCR/Inspector: Names of the individuals involved in the inspection.
• Type of Equipment: Specifies the equipment being inspected.
• How/Where Equipment Was Cleaned: Details the cleaning process and location.
• Location of Last Operations: Records the previous operational location of the equipment.
• Certification Statement: A declaration by the contractor that all cleaning requirements have been met.
• Signatures: Contractor and Inspector signatures with dates to validate the certification.

Bidders may need to complete and submit this form as part of their contractual obligations if awarded. It highlights a specific compliance requirement related to equipment cleanliness, likely to prevent the spread of invasive species or contaminants. Understanding this form is crucial for bidders to ensure they can meet this contractual demand.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Attachment 6, "REGISTER OF WAGE DETERMINATIONS UNDER THE SERVICE CONTRACT ACT," for Oregon, County of Deschutes. It provides the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations under the Service Contract Act for contracts awarded on or after January 1, 2017, and those subject to Executive Order 13658.

• Wage Rates: Lists specific minimum hourly wage rates for a wide range of occupations, categorized by occupational groups (e.g., Administrative Support, Health Occupations, Technical Occupations).
• Fringe Benefits: Details required fringe benefits, including Health & Welfare ($5.55/hour or $5.09/hour under EO 13706), Vacation (2-4 weeks based on service years), and 11 paid Holidays.
• Executive Orders: References Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and Executive Order 13658 (Minimum Wage), outlining their applicability and requirements for contractors.
• Conformance Process: Explains the process for requesting additional classifications and wage rates if an occupation is not listed in the determination.

This document is crucial for bidders to understand the minimum labor costs associated with performing services under the contract. It dictates the baseline wages and benefits that must be paid to employees, directly impacting proposal pricing and overall cost estimation. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages meet or exceed these requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines "Fire Protection and Suppression" requirements for contractors operating within the USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region. It details specific measures and precautions related to fire prevention and control during the "Fire Period and Closed Season" (April 1 to October 31 annually).

• Fire Period and Closed Season: Specifies the annual period for fire prevention measures and notes that dates may be adjusted by the Forest Service.
• Fire Plan: Requires contractors to prepare and submit a fire plan in cooperation with the Contracting Officer.
• Fire Precautions: Details mandatory measures including:
  • Restrictions on smoking and open fires.
  • Requirements for fire extinguishers and equipment on vehicles (e.g., trucks, tractors).
  • Specific equipment for power saws (extinguishers, shovels).
  • Requirements for spark arresters and mufflers on internal combustion engines.
  • Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPL) that dictate operational restrictions based on fire danger.
• Fire Tools: Mandates specific tools to be provided by the contractor (axes, hoes, shovels).
• Fire Security: Requires a designated person for fire security services when IFPL is "I" or higher.
• Blasting: Outlines precautions for blasting operations, including fire security personnel.
• Additional Fire Precautionary Measures: Includes specific requirements for:
  • Tank trucks or trailers with water capacity for fire suppression.
  • Two-way communication facilities for reporting fires.

This document is crucial for any bidder whose operations may occur within the Pacific Northwest Region during the fire season. It outlines mandatory safety protocols, equipment requirements, and operational restrictions that will directly impact project planning, execution, and costs. Bidders must understand and be prepared to comply with these fire prevention and suppression measures.