Water Handling for East Zone Regions 1, 2, 4, and 9

Solicitation

This solicitation is for "Water Handling for East Zone Regions 1, 2, 4, and 9" and is intended to obtain services described in D.1 Scope of Agreement for Local, Regional, and Nationwide fire suppression, all-hazard incidents, and prescribed fire project work & Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) project work. The resulting Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) may be used by multiple State and Federal wildland fire agencies.

This solicitation covers various types of wildland engines and water tenders (Support and Tactical). Specific equipment requirements are detailed in Section D.2, including:

• Engines: Type 3, 4, 5, and 6 engines with specific requirements for tank capacity, pump flow, hose, foam proportioner systems, and pump and roll capabilities. Chainsaws and personal protective equipment (PPE) are also specified.

• Support Water Tenders: Types 1, 2, and 3 with requirements for tank capacity, pump flow, spray bar, and drafting capabilities.

• Tactical Water Tenders: Types 1 and 2 with requirements for tank capacity, pump flow, spray bar, foam proportioner systems, and drafting capabilities.

• Personnel: Minimum staffing requirements for engines (Engine Boss and Firefighter) and water tenders (Operator) are outlined, along with English speaking requirements and training/qualification standards (e.g., FFT1, FFT2, ENGB).

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

• The estimated award date is June 2026.

• The agreement period is for 4 years from the date of award, with annual review modifications.

• The estimated total award amount is $34,000,000.00.

• Contract type is for Commercial Items.

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

• Quotes will be evaluated based on operational acceptability, price reasonableness, and past performance dependability risk.

• A 5% advantage will be applied for each socioeconomic category checked in Block 10 of the SF-1449 (up to a cap of 10%).

• The offer due date is May 11, 2026, at 05:00 PM MST.

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

• Specific socioeconomic categories checked in Block 10 of the SF-1449 (Small Business, HUBZone, Women-Owned Small Business, Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, 8(a)) are considered for dispatch priority advantages.

• Vendors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• Compliance with the Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA) and H-2B program requirements may apply.

• Detailed equipment and personnel qualification requirements are provided in various exhibits.

Amendment / Modification

• The response time for the solicitation has been extended.

• The new deadline for offers is 05/11/2026 at 17:00 MDT.

• This extension is to allow for sufficient response time due to a new system.

• The deadline for receipt of offers (Item 11) is affected.

• The proposal submission deadline has been extended to 05/11/2026 at 17:00 MDT.

Amendment / Modification

This document provides administrative corrections to the Water Handling solicitation for 2026. These changes will be implemented via an administrative modification after the current onboarding/rollover modifications are reviewed and signed.

• D.2.1.2 – Equipment Requirement (WILDLAND ENGINES – MINIMUM STANDARDS):

  • TYPE 3: The rated pressure will be updated from "25 psi" to "250 psi".
  • ENGINE – MINIMUM EQUIPMENT INVENTORY LIST: The requirement for "½” Hose" will be updated to "1 ½” Hose".

• D.2.1.2 – Equipment Requirement (WILDLAND ENGINES):

  • A portion of the text describing chainsaw usage and limitations will be removed due to conflicting information. The removed text specifies that the "engine crew shall not use the chainsaw to perform as tree fallers, compile brush piles or cut line."

• D.2.1.2 – Equipment Requirement (WILDLAND ENGINES – MINIMUM STANDARDS)

• D.2.1.2 – Equipment Requirement (WILDLAND ENGINES)

These changes are administrative and will be formally updated in a future modification. Bidders should note these corrections for future reference when preparing responses or understanding requirements.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for "Water Handling for Fast Zone Regions 1, 2, 4, and 9" and "See Schedule of Items." The government is procuring services related to water handling for local, regional, and nationwide fire suppression, all-hazard incidents, and prescribed fire project work. The resulting agreements (I-BPAs) may be used by multiple State and Federal wildland fire agencies.

• Water handling equipment (engines, support water tenders, and tactical water tenders).

• Resources must meet specific equipment requirements, including backup alarms, specific hose lengths, pump performance standards, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Engines must meet minimum standards for Type 3, 4, 5, and 6, with specific requirements for tank capacity, pump flow, hose length, and pump and roll capability.

• Water tenders (Support and Tactical) must meet minimum standards for tank capacity, pump flow, and spray bar requirements.

• All personnel must meet minimum qualification requirements as defined by the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide (PMS 310-1).

• Specific training and experience requirements are detailed for FFT1, ENGB, Support Water Tender Operators, and Engine Crews.

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

• The contract type is not explicitly stated but implies multiple awards.

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

• The agreement period is for 4 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.

• Quotes will be evaluated based on operational acceptability, price reasonableness, and past performance dependability risk.

• A 5% advantage will be applied for each socioeconomic category checked in Block 10 of the SF-1449 (e.g., HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, 8(A)), up to a cap of 10%.

• Technical quotes must include specific pictures and documentation to demonstrate operational acceptability.

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

• Offer due date: 4/27/2026 at 05:00 PM MST.

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

• NAICS Code: 115310

• Size Standard: $34,000,000.00

• Exhibit H outlines Geographic Area Terms and Conditions.

• Exhibit M provides minimum equipment inventory lists for Support Water Tenders, Tactical Water Tenders, and Engines.

• Exhibit N details Wildland Fire Personnel Qualification Requirements.

• The solicitation incorporates by reference numerous FAR and DFARS clauses.

Amendment / Modification

• The Government is re-opening Solicitation 1202SB25Q7003 for an open season Onboarding period.

• Vendor quote responses are due no later than 04/27/2026 at 17:00 MDT.

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

• This amendment re-opens the original solicitation to conduct Onboarding in accordance with Exhibit H - Special Contract Requirements.

• Onboarding is not a new procurement action but is conducted under the terms of the original solicitation.

• Award decisions during open season Onboarding will use the same evaluation factors and sub-factors as the original solicitation.

• Any new BPA awards issued through Onboarding will be identical to the original awards, including all terms, conditions, and the period of performance.

• This amendment applies to a Multiple Award Incident Blanket Purchase Agreement (I BPA) issued as a 100% Small Business Set Aside.

• The open season Onboarding period will run concurrently with the USFS Contracting Officer's annual I BPA review (commonly referred to as the "Rollover" modification process).

• During this period, existing I BPA awardees may revise rates, modify resources, or add new resources.

• New Offerors who meet all eligibility requirements may submit quotes for consideration.

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

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

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

• After the Onboarding and annual review/rollover processes are complete, any newly awarded Contractors or newly accepted resources added to existing agreements will be eligible for dispatch and BPA Calls in accordance with the ordering procedures in the agreements.

• The solicitation is being re-opened for an onboarding period.

• The due date for vendor quote responses has been established.

• The deadline for vendor quote responses is now 04/27/2026 at 17:00 MDT.

• Submissions must be made via the "VIPR NextGen" application.