Helena National Forest - Park Lake Dam Rehabilitation
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 quotes for the Park Lake Dam Rehabilitation project on the Helena Ranger District of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. This Total Small Business Set-Aside opportunity involves comprehensive dam rehabilitation, including deconstruction, new construction, seismic foundation work, and road reconstruction. The estimated magnitude of construction is between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000. Quotes are due by Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 4:00 PM MST.
Scope of Work
The project entails the full rehabilitation of the Park Lake Dam, located near Clancy, MT. Key tasks include:
- Clearing and grubbing
- Dewatering of Park Lake (restricted from June, to start after July 15 of the first year)
- Deconstruction of the existing dam
- Construction of a new dam with a new seismic foundation
- Installation of hydraulic seepage control
- Road reconstruction and reconditioning (including specific FSSS updates for roadbed, aggregate surface, and roadway reconditioning, and cattleguard handling)
- Reclamation efforts, including transplanting vegetation and temporary haul road obliteration
- Installation and calibration of an Early Warning System (EWS) and replacement of piezometers.
The contractor is responsible for all labor, materials, tools, equipment, scheduling, and sequencing over two field seasons.
Contract Details
- Solicitation Number: 1240LU26Q0013
- Type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (Request for Quotation - RFQ)
- Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price
- Magnitude: $1,000,000 - $5,000,000
- Period of Performance: May 1, 2026, to October 31, 2027.
- Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (NAICS 237990, Size Standard $45M)
- Place of Performance: Clancy, MT 59634
Submission & Evaluation
- Quote Due Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 4:00 PM MST.
- Submission Method: Email to lisa.rakich@usda.gov.
- Required Documents: Price Schedule (Attachment 2), Past Performance/Experience Questionnaire (Attachment 7), Written Technical Approach, and a 20% Bid Guarantee.
- Evaluation Factors: Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value, based on a comparative analysis of:
- Relevant Experience: Projects completed within the past five (5) year period.
- Past Performance: Prime Contractor's experience will be evaluated.
- Price: Evaluated for fairness and reasonableness.
- Offer Acceptance Period: 90 calendar days.
Key Clarifications & Amendments
- Amendment 0005 (posted Feb 6, 2026) extended the quote due date to Feb 26, 2026, and updated the "Relevant Experience" lookback period to five years.
- Amendment 0004 (posted Feb 2, 2026) updated the Solicitation Terms & Conditions, Schedule of Items, added an Early Warning System attachment, and extended the final questions deadline to Feb 11, 2026.
- Final Q&A (posted Feb 17, 2026) clarified that there are no liquidated damages, detailed dewatering restrictions, confirmed lake water use for dust suppression, specified on-site borrow material for compaction grouting, and outlined permit responsibilities (government coordinates stream/wetland, contractor obtains Storm Water/MPDES). The government will provide CAD files at award; blasting is not expected.
Contact Information
- Primary: Lisa Rakich (lisa.rakich@usda.gov, 406-491-0561)
- Secondary: Reid Stovall (reid.stovall@usda.gov, 406-390-1701)