Chipper for Regions 5 & 6

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for "Chipper for Regions 5 & 6" and aims to establish multiple agreements (I-BPAs) for local, regional, and nationwide fire suppression, all-hazard incidents, and prescribed fire project work. The Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) may be used by multiple State and Federal wildland fire agencies. The government is procuring chipper services to ensure adequate resources are available to meet its needs.

• Procurement of chipper services for Regions 5 & 6.

• Resources must meet specified standards and be maintained in good repair.

• Specific requirements for chipper types (Type 1: 18 inch minimum diameter capacity, Type 2: 13-17 inch diameter capacity, Type 3: 9-12 inch diameter capacity).

• Hand-fed chippers are required; machine-fed chippers are not acceptable.

• Minimum of a 3-person crew required for chippers, equipped with an in-feed mechanism.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required for all personnel, including boots, hard hat, gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, headlamp, and fire shelter.

• Compliance with labor laws, including the Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA) and H-2B program requirements, is mandatory.

• The solicitation will result in multiple agreements (I-BPAs).

• The contract type is not explicitly stated but implies a "Request for Quote (RFQ)" leading to BPAs.

• The estimated value for the NAICS code 115310 is $34,000,000.00.

• The agreement period is for 3 years from the date of award, with annual review modifications.

• No orders or payments are guaranteed during the duration of the agreement period.

• Quotes must be submitted through the Virtual Incident Procurement (VIPR) Next Gen System.

• Offerors must register and update information in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• Quotes will be evaluated based on: (1) Operational acceptability of equipment/resource, (2) Price reasonableness, and (3) Past performance dependability risk.

• A 5% advantage may be applied for socioeconomic categories (HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, 8(A), Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business).

• Offerors must submit technical quote pictures and documents by the closing date.

• Offerors agree to hold prices firm for 60 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers.

• The offer due date is April 27, 2026, 12:00 PM PST.

• The acquisition is set aside for Small Business (100%).

• Specific set-aside categories include HUBZone Small Business, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Eligible, and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB).

• Awards are prohibited to Government employees or entities owned by Government employees.

• Exhibit H contains Geographic Area Terms and Conditions.

• Exhibit I lists Contractor Associations and Public Education Providers for training.

Amendment / Modification

• The response due date for the solicitation has been extended.

• The response due date is now May 04, 2026, at 1200 PST.

• The proposal deadline has been extended to May 04, 2026, at 1200 PST.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for "Chipper for Regions 5 & 6" and aims to obtain services for local, regional, and nationwide fire suppression, all-hazard incidents, and prescribed fire project work. The resulting agreements will be Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) that may be used by multiple State and Federal wildland fire agencies.

• Procurement of chipper services.

• Resources must meet NWCG Standards for Interagency Incident Business Management.

• Specific equipment requirements for Type 1 (18-inch capacity), Type 2 (13-17 inch capacity), and Type 3 (9-12 inch capacity) chippers are detailed, including hand-fed design and a minimum 3-person crew.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements are specified.

• Compliance with labor laws, including the Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA) and H-2B program requirements, is mandatory.

• This solicitation will result in multiple agreements (I-BPAs).

• The dollar limitation for any individual order is the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT).

• Placement of any orders is NOT GUARANTEED.

• The agreement period is for 3 years from the date of award, with annual review modifications.

• Estimated date of award is June 2026.

• Quotes must be submitted through the Virtual Incident Procurement (VIPR) Next Gen System.

• Evaluation factors include: operational acceptability, price reasonableness, and past performance dependability risk.

• A 5% advantage may be applied for socioeconomic categories (HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, EDWOSB, WOSB, 8(a)).

• Offerors must submit technical quotes including pictures and documentation as specified.

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

• Offer Due Date: April 20, 2026, 12:00 PM PST.

• The acquisition is set aside for Small Business.

• Specific set-aside categories include HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business, and Women-Owned Small Business.

• Awards are prohibited to Government employees, businesses owned by Government employees, or Government Entities.

• Exhibit H details Geographic Area Terms and Conditions for Region 6 vendors.

• Exhibit I lists approved training providers.

• The document includes extensive details on safety standards, personnel requirements, equipment reliability, ordering procedures, payments, and invoicing.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment re-opens Solicitation 12569R24Q7003 for an open-season Onboarding period for Chippers.

• The due date for vendor quote responses has been extended to 04/20/2026 at 12:00 PST.

• Responses must be submitted through the "VIPR NextGen" application.

• This amendment is issued under the terms of the original solicitation and is not a new procurement.

• It applies to a Multiple Award Incident Blanket Purchase Agreement (I-BPA) that is a 100% Small Business Set-Aside.

• Existing I-BPA awardees may revise rates, modify resources, or add new resources.

• New Offerors may submit quotes if they meet eligibility requirements.

• All proposed resources must meet the criteria established in the original solicitation.

• New quote submissions must meet Acceptability Pass/Fail requirements and will be evaluated using the same factors as the original solicitation.

• Any new I-BPA awards will be identical in terms and conditions to the original agreements.

• The deadline for quote responses is extended to 04/20/2026 at 12:00 PST.

• The submission method is via the "VIPR NextGen" application.

Amendment / Modification

This document contains multiple amendments to the original solicitation (12569R24Q7003):

• Amendment 0001 (Effective 03/01/2024): Updates language related to Conflict of Interest, Handwash Attendant, Potable and Gray Water, State Medical requirements, and adds notes to Exhibit M.
• Amendment 0002 (Effective 03/08/2024): Provides clarification on MSPA worker self-certification within the VIPR Quote Wizard for the 2024 Chipper advertisement. It notes that if a quoter annotates YES or PENDING for employing H2B or MSPA workers, the VIPR Quote Wizard will require upload of the H2B or FLC certificate or proof of application. It also acknowledges that the MSPA worker and FLC question are redundant and advises uploading the certificate or documentation twice.
• Amendment 0003 (Effective 01/07/2025): Updates language for Maintenance Cycle #25-02, incorporating approved CRs and changes to clauses effective January 3, 2025. It also replaces Wage Determination No. 1995-0221 (Rev 63) with Wage Determination No. 1955-0221 (Rev 66).
• Amendment 0004 (Effective 01/13/2025): Updates contract requirements for all solicitation templates for Maintenance Cycle #25-04.
• Amendment 0005 (Effective 01/16/2025): Updates contract requirements for all solicitation templates for Maintenance Cycle #25-05.
• Amendment 0006 (Effective 01/21/2025): Replaces Wage Determination No. 1995-0221 (Rev 66) with Wage Determination No. 1955-0221 (Rev 69).
• Amendment 0007 (Effective 01/24/2025): Re-opens the solicitation for vendor responses due 02/25/2025. This amendment is for an "open season Onboarding" process, which is not a new procurement but an amendment to the original solicitation. Awards will be based on the original solicitation's evaluation factors. This amendment is for a Multiple Award Incident Blanket Purchase Agreement (IBPA) solicitation issued as a 100% Small Business Set-Aside. Existing IBPA awardees can revise rates and add resources. New offerors must meet eligibility requirements and Pass/Fail criteria of the original solicitation.

Various sections of the original solicitation and associated templates are affected by these amendments, including language related to specific requirements, certifications, wage determinations, and administrative updates.

Amendment 0007 specifically re-opens the solicitation with a new due date of 02/25/2025 for vendor responses related to the "open season Onboarding" process. Offerors are directed to the VIPR Vendor application to submit responses.