Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Gipsy Lake Day Use Improvements
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 USDA Forest Service is soliciting bids for the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Gipsy Lake Day Use Improvements project in Townsend, MT. This Total Small Business Set-Aside opportunity involves constructing new parking and living areas, including excavation, grading, and furnishing installation. Quotes are due March 13, 2026, by 12:00 PM Mountain Time.
Scope of Work
The project includes a base bid and two options:
- Base Bid (Site 1): Construct a double-wide parking area with two living areas and remove four large trees.
- Option 1 (Site 2): Construct a single-wide parking area with one living area, install two new culverts, and construct a new ditch.
- Option 2 (Site 3): Construct a single-wide parking area with one living area and install government-furnished barrier rocks. The contractor is responsible for all labor, materials, tools, and equipment. Detailed plans and specifications are provided for site layouts, road construction, and furnishing details.
Contract & Timeline
- Contract Type: Firm Fixed-Price.
- Set-Aside: Total Small Business.
- NAICS Code: 237990 (Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction) with a $45.0 M size standard.
- Estimated Value: Between $25,000 and $100,000. Bid/payment bonds are required for contracts over $150,000.
- Period of Performance: Work to commence within 10 days of Notice to Proceed (NTP), complete within 30 calendar days, and be ready for use no later than September 30, 2026.
- Quotes Due: March 13, 2026, 12:00 PM Mountain Time.
- Questions Due: February 27, 2026, 12:00 PM Mountain Time.
- Submission Method: Email to Daniel.franco@usda.gov.
Evaluation Criteria
Quotes will be evaluated using a comparative methodology to determine the best value to the Government. Key factors include:
- Experience: Assessed based on relevancy, recency, and quality of past performance. Vendors must submit a narrative of at least five relevant projects.
- Price: Evaluated for base items to determine if fair and reasonable.
Additional Notes
This solicitation constitutes the only solicitation; no separate written solicitation will be issued. Bidders must comply with prevailing wage rates as specified in General Decision Number MT20260075 for heavy construction in Montana. The contractor is responsible for procuring specified materials like culverts, fire rings, and picnic tables. No site visit is scheduled.