Forest Health Aerial Surveyor Services

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the solicitation for Fixed Wing Flight Manager – Special Use qualifications.

• Contractor Limit: The 240-hour maximum applies per individual contractor, and the government anticipates awarding one contract.
• Mission Execution: Contractors with Fixed Wing Flight Manager – Special Use qualifications may perform survey missions independently with a pilot, depending on their familiarity and demonstrated ability. The exact mix of independent work versus supporting government surveyors will depend on the contractor's qualifications.
• Training Certifications: While Air Crew Member certification is the minimum required at award, more weight will be given to contractors certified as Fixed Wing Flight Manager Special Use. Other Interagency Aviation Training (IAT) certifications can be obtained post-award.
• GIS Responsibilities: Most GIS work will be handled by the government. Contractors with GIS knowledge may be asked to perform data editing/processing or produce cartographic outputs, but it is not a primary requirement.
• Relocation: Contractors should expect frequent relocation throughout Region 2 (Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota). The primary base of operations is Rocky Mountain Metro airport, but travel directly to the next mission area without returning is possible.
• Workload: Expect approximately 4-8 flight hours per day, 5 days per week, depending on conditions. Weekends may be worked to stay on pace.
• Travel Time & Per Diem: Transit time to/from the mission base counts towards the 240-hour contract ceiling. Per Diem will be paid in full even on non-flight days due to weather or other factors. Contractors are not required to remain on-site between missions, and Per Diem is not paid when released between scheduled flights.
• Personal Equipment: Beyond government-furnished equipment, contractors are only expected to provide proper PPE (closed-toe boots, non-synthetic clothes) for flights.
• Enhanced Geospatial Outputs: While the government has used high-resolution imagery in the past for specific needs, such acquisitions are beyond the scope of this particular contract.

These clarifications provide specific details on contract limitations, contractor responsibilities, training, operational expectations, and equipment requirements, which may influence bidder proposals and understanding of the opportunity.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To provide aerial survey services for mapping tree mortality and damage in the Rocky Mountain Region during the 2026 survey season, aligning with the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 for forest health protection.

• Conduct aerial surveys using a government-provided aircraft and a digital mobile sketch mapping system (DMSM) application.

• Map tree mortality and damage, identifying tree species affected, counting dead trees, and assessing damage extent.

• Surveys will be conducted in Region 2 (Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas) at approximately 1,000 feet above ground level.

• Tasks include preparing for surveys, conducting aerial surveys, mission recovery, and processing collected photos.

• Potential for field surveys requiring hiking in remote areas.

• May involve GIS tasks such as data editing and cartography.

• Period of Performance: Commences as early as June 1, 2026, and concludes no later than October 31, 2026.

• Total work hours not to exceed 240 hours after contract award.

• Initial training in mid to late June; survey work from late June through October.

• Work locations include USFS hangar facility at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, Broomfield, CO, and remote field locations.

• Surveys must adhere to National Aerial Survey Standards.

• Data collected must be processed and shared freely with the public.

• Section 508 - Electronic and Information Technology Standards must be followed for all data.

• Contractors must possess expertise in western forest pests, forest types, GPS, GIS, and aviation.

• Experience with DMSM application and Rocky Mountain area forest ecology is preferred.

• Surveyors must be authorized by the U.S. Forest Service and may require specific certifications (e.g., Fixed-wing Flight Manager, Aircrew Member).

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for fixed-wing flights is required (close-toed shoes, long pants, non-synthetic shirt).

• Flexibility is required due to weather, schedule changes, and potential for short-notice tasking.

• Government-furnished equipment (tablet, DMSM, headset, camera, GPS) will be provided and must be returned.

• Access to government buildings is incidental and under supervision.

• Adherence to airport security measures is required.

• Contractors are responsible for their own transportation to and from work locations, though government vehicles may be available for official use under specific conditions.

• Travel and per diem reimbursement will follow Federal Travel Regulations and GSA rates.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for aerial surveyors. The Rocky Mountain Region requires services for the 2026 survey season to map tree mortality and damage using specialized expertise in western forest pests, forest types, GPS, GIS technology, and aviation. Survey work will be conducted in a government-provided aircraft.

• Aerial mapping of tree mortality and damage.

• Use of a provided tablet computer with a digital mobile sketch mapping system (DMSM) application.

• Specialized expertise in western forest pests, forest types, GPS, and GIS technology.

• Aviation experience, specifically as a Fixed Wing Flight Manager Special Use.

• Anticipated award type: Firm-fixed-price requirements contract.

• Period of Performance: One (1) base year and four (4) one-year option periods, not to exceed five (5) years total.

• Base Year: 06/01/2026 to 05/31/2027 (240 HR)

• Option Year One: 06/01/2027 to 05/31/2028 (240 HR)

• Option Year Two: 06/01/2028 to 05/31/2029 (240 HR)

• Option Year Three: 06/01/2029 to 05/31/2030 (240 HR)

• Option Year Four: 06/01/2030 to 05/31/2031 (240 HR)

• Quotations are requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

• Pricing is for labor hours only. Travel costs will be reimbursed at published GSA federal travel rates.

• Evaluation will be based on a comparative methodology, considering: Relevant Experience, Past Performance, and Price.

• Experience in Forest Health, Fixed Wing Flight Manager qualifications, mountainous terrain survey hours, and knowledge of Rocky Mountain tree species/damage agents will be rated higher.

• Past performance information must be from efforts within the last five (5) years and will be evaluated for recency, relevancy, and quality.

• Offerors must submit pricing for all items to be considered responsive.

• Offerors must hold prices firm for 60 calendar days from the offer due date.

• Key deadlines: Questions due May 11th, 2026, 12:00 PM MST. Offer due date: May 18th, 2026, 1700 ED.

• This acquisition is set-aside for small business concerns.

• North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) Code: 541370.

• Small business size standard: $19 M.

• Attachment 1: R2 ADS 2026 Statement of Work_AerialSurveyors.

• Travel per diem will be paid at published GSA federal travel regulations.

• The government may consider quotations that exceed minimum requirements and offer additional value or benefits.