R9 Superior National Forest – Laurentian & LaCroix Mechanical Site Prep and Fuels Work

Quick Summary

The USDA Forest Service, Superior National Forest is soliciting quotes for Mechanical Site Preparation (rock raking) and Fuels Reduction (mastication) services across its Laurentian and LaCroix Ranger Districts in Minnesota. This Total Small Business Set-Aside opportunity, issued as a combined synopsis/solicitation, anticipates two awards. Quotes are due by April 17, 2026, 6:00 PM ET.

Scope of Work

The requirement involves providing all labor, supervision, equipment, transportation, and incidentals for:

• Award 01 (Laurentian Ranger District): Mechanical site preparation (rock raking) on an estimated 146 acres. This includes scarifying ground, exposing mineral soil, controlling vegetation, and specific slash piling.
• Award 02 (LaCroix Ranger District): Fuels reduction/mastication on an estimated 40 acres. This involves grinding or shredding vegetation and woody debris into a mulch layer, with specific requirements for stump height and material scattering. Work must comply with the detailed Performance Work Statement (PWS), covering aspects like rock raking depth, rutting restrictions, leave-tree rules, resource protection, sanitation, road use/maintenance, and invasive species prevention through equipment cleaning. Vicinity maps are provided for geographical context.

Contract Details

• Solicitation Number: 12443926Q0025
• Contract Type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation, utilizing Simplified Acquisition Procedures (FAR Part 13) and FAR Part 12 for commercial services.
• Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (NAICS 115310, Size Standard $11.5M).
• Period of Performance:
  • Mechanical Site Prep: June 1, 2026 – October 31, 2026
  • Mastication: June 1, 2026 – April 1, 2027
• Place of Performance: Superior National Forest, Laurentian and LaCroix Ranger Districts, Minnesota.
• Anticipated Awards: Two separate awards may result.

Evaluation and Submission

Quotes will be evaluated using a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) approach:

1. Step 1 (Go/No-Go Technical Capability): Offerors must submit a technical capability statement detailing planned timeframes, personnel/equipment resources, method for meeting PWS requirements, and understanding of deliverables. Failure to provide sufficient information will result in a non-responsive quote.
2. Step 2 (Lowest Price): Among technically acceptable quotes, the lowest price will receive the award. Offerors must submit a signed quote, completed Schedule of Items, Technical Capability Statement, and SAM-registered UEI. Quotes must remain valid for 90 days. Questions should be directed to the POC listed in the SAM notice (Kathleen McTighe, kathleen.mctighe@usda.gov). Quotes must be submitted electronically to david.easter@usda.gov by April 17, 2026, 6:00 PM ET.

Key Attachments

• Performance Work Statement (PWS)
• Schedule of Items
• Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP)
• Vicinity Maps
• Applicable FAR/AGAR Clauses
• Department of Labor Wage Determinations (for Carlton, St. Louis, Aitkin, Cook, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, and Pine counties in MN, and Douglas County in WI).