LOLO NATIONAL FOREST - Ninemile Water & Wastewater and St. Regis Wastewater 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, Lolo National Forest, has issued a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for Ninemile Water & Wastewater and St. Regis Wastewater Improvements. This opportunity seeks a contractor to replace water distribution and wastewater collection systems at the Ninemile Ranger Station, and the wastewater collection system at the St. Regis Work Center, including one potential option item. This is a 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside. Quotes are due by March 13, 2026, at 12:00 PM Mountain Time.
Scope of Work
The project involves comprehensive upgrades to water and wastewater infrastructure. At the Ninemile Ranger Station, the scope includes replacing the water distribution system and the wastewater collection system. For the St. Regis Work Center, the focus is on replacing the wastewater collection system, which includes new sewer collection mains, manholes, service connections, a new wastewater treatment system (septic tank, dosing system, drainfield), and grinder pump stations. Existing septic tanks and lift stations at St. Regis will be abandoned. It is critical to note that the St. Regis water system is explicitly excluded from this contract and will be advertised separately. An option item for Ninemile includes a bypass system for tanks, telemetry controls, and related electrical work.
Contract Details
- Opportunity Type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (RFQ)
- NAICS Code: 237110 (Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction) with a $45.0 Million size standard.
- Set-Aside: 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5).
- Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price (anticipated).
- Performance Period: Work must be completed by October 1, 2027.
- Bonds: A 20% Bid Bond/Offer Guarantee is required for quotes exceeding $150,000. Performance and Payment Bonds, each at 100% of the original contract price, are required for contracts over $150,000 (due 10 days after award). Payment protections are required for contracts between $35,000 and $150,000.
- Warranty: FAR clause 52.246-21, "Warranty of Construction," applies.
Submission & Evaluation
- Quote Due Date: March 13, 2026, at 12:00 PM Mountain Time.
- Submission: Quotes should be sent via email to Alisha Knaub at alisha.knaub@usda.gov.
- Evaluation: Quotes will be evaluated using a comparative methodology, seeking the best value to the Government. Key factors include:
- Experience: Demonstrated relevant experience through five project narratives.
- Past Performance: Narrative of five relevant contracts within the last five years.
- Price: Evaluation will consider both base and option items.
- Required Forms: Bid bonds must be submitted using FAR Standard Form 24 (SF 24).
- Questions: The final day to submit questions was February 27, 2026.
Key Updates & Clarifications
Multiple amendments and Q&A documents have provided significant clarifications:
- A formal site visit was held on February 18, 2026, for the Ninemile Ranger District.
- No liquidated damages are associated with this contract, and there are no Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) requirements.
- CAD files will not be supplied during the solicitation phase but may be provided post-award.
- Amendment 004 introduced several changes:
- Updated fencing details (Attachment 9) and clarified insulation board width (4ft acceptable).
- Changed Bid Item 02660-6 (tank metering manholes) to a 'Lump Sum' unit and added Item 015000 (Portable toilets).
- Removed Missoula County Excavation and Building Permits from requirements.
- Confirmed water and electrical for field offices are provided at no cost.
- Removed Special Provision SP-28 (Subcontract Limitations) and SP-32 (Exploratory Excavation), replacing the latter with Attachment 10 (Ninemile Soils Investigation).
- Adjusted Ninemile drain field dimensions and added St. Regis specific special provisions.