Inactive

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE RESPONSES AND QUESTIONS MUST REFERENCE NOTICE NUMBER 1282B123I0013 See attached performance requirements. This information is a draft. Information is being gathered for market re... SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE RESPONSES AND QUESTIONS MUST REFERENCE NOTICE NUMBER 1282B123I0013 See attached performance requirements. This information is a draft. Information is being gathered for market research purposes to assist the Government in determining the appropriate procurement methodology, should a solicitation be released. Contractors will not be reimbursed for information provided to the Government as part of this sources sought. Contractors should provide information to the POC if interested. Please include contractor's business size with submissions along with interest and capabilities. Services provided within the Region 4 Intermountain Region for the Forest Service. Agreement type will likely be a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) likely with multiple awards (multiple contractors, possibly 5-8) being issued to provide services. Services are likely to be for 1 Prescribed Fire Workshop with the possibility of RT-300 Training class (1), and Burn Plan Reviews (2) based on the availability of funding and future funding. NAICS 611710 ...................... General Information 1.0 Background and Purpose Provide an overview of the program or initiative, including goals and objectives, phases of the initiatives or requirement. The Intermountain Region of the USFS (R4) requires a contractor(s) to assist the Fuels Program in all aspects of prescribed fire trainings. Some tasks include: plan and instruct training, provide hands on field experience, provide facility and training site logistical support, work with host sites on presentation/training needs, develop custom educational presentations utilizing the latest technology, develop fuels treatment staff rides, review burn plans and associated documents for national policy compliance, document course delivery process, develop job aids for fuels staff and line officers, electronically archive course delivery documentation, serve on facilitated learning analysis teams, one-on-one mentoring in prescribed fire, participate in prescribed fire program reviews, and create field exercises specifically targeted to employees working in the fuels management arena including agency administrators. The contractor shall work in coordination with R4 and/or federal and state partner agencies to deliver these services. The intent of the mentoring and other educational presentations is to improve awareness and provide operational education to fire professionals, agency administrators, and resource specialists who are responsible for planning and implementing fuels treatments on their unit(s). Topics and requirements will vary depending on task requirements and may include: current prescribed fire and mechanical treatment issues, hazards and safety issues, agency liability, personal liability, escaped prescribed fires, interagency policy, implementation planning, reviewing prescribed fire plans, key elements of successful prescribed fire programs, aerial ignition, prescribed fire in Wilderness Areas, Indigenous fire practices, effective communication, human factors, partnerships and collaboration, integration, agreements, smoke management, decision making, and effective program monitoring. The contractor(s) will also serve as National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) qualified and an approved escort on active prescribed fire implementations for attendees that are not fireline qualified. The contractor(s) will assist R4 personnel in preparation and presentation of instructional material, coordinator of logistical arrangements, reserving conference rooms, contacting selected students prior to the workshop or training, and other duties as required. 2.0 Definitions Define any acronyms being used; provide both the acronym and the words represented by the acronym. Explain any special terms or phrases used. NIPFTC – National Interagency Prescribed Fire Training Center NWCG – National Wildfire Coordinating Group C&G – Command and General Staff RXCM – Prescribed Fire Crew Member UAS – Unmanned Aircraft Systems PPE – Personal Protective Equipment NAFRI – National Advanced Fire and Resource Institute NIFC – National interagency Fire Center WFAP – Wildland Fire Apprenticeship Program FTR – Federal Travel Regulations CO – Contracting Officer DHS – Department of Homeland Security Contractor Requirements 3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks State each objective, task, or activity. Identify expected or desired outcome(s). Include provisions for the contractor to comply with all relevant quality standards. Identify any specific skill requirements needed to successfully complete the work. Qualifications and Requirements The National Wildland Fire Coordinating Group (NWCG) and the National Interagency Prescribed Fire Training Center (NIPFTC) have established that to effectively engage and inform this unique workforce, it is imperative that the personnel serving as cadre, mentors, field coordinator, and creating these type of educational products, have an extensive background in prescribed fire, wildland firefighting, mechanical fuel treatments as well as familiarity with duties and responsibilities of line officers, and agency administrators.. (a) Specialized experience with national wildland fire training centers as an instructor, mentor, guest speaker, operations coordinator, or field coordinator. (b) Current or previous NWCG qualifications and experience: Command and/or General Staff position on Incident Management Team Single Resource Boss or higher. Type 2 Burn Boss (Type 1 experience preferred); experience must include both aerial and ground ignition of prescribed fires. (c) Extensive prescribed fire experience from eastern to the western portions of the US (d) Experience teaching NWCG 300, 400, or 500 level fire courses within the last 10 years, including instruction to agency administrators within the past 5 years. (e) Previous work background in either: A wildland fire position with a federal wildland fire agency at the Regional or National level, or a combination of experience in a prescribed fire or wildland fire position at the local level. (f) NWCG qualifications card with a minimum of prescribed fire crew member with current moderate or higher work capacity test, or contractor certified documentation meeting the NWCG requirements with a minimum of prescribed fire crew member (RXCM) and a current work capacity test of “moderate” or “arduous”. Tasks and Products Tasks and product requirements will be contingent on current prescribed fire weather and training issues within R4 and current land management and regulatory issues within the Federal and partnering state land management agencies. Products may include several different tasks but are not limited to: (a) Initiate pre-training session coordination with various cooperators. Assist cooperators in the identification and evaluation of potential field sites to be used. Ensure cooperators understand the limitations of the expected attendees and incorporate adjustments to meet the needs for an effective learning environment. (b) Coordinate with various host cooperators on content of their planned presentations. Eliminate duplications between presentations and ensure critical teaching points are included. (c) Assist R4 personnel with logistical arrangements. This may include evaluating hotels and meeting facilities to ensure compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, agency regulations, and adequacy to provide a professional training delivery, evaluating locations for field exercises and logistics associated with large groups of people (100+) and numerous vehicles (20+) at a field site, obtaining supplies (e.g., USB and electrical cords as needed on short notice) and ensuring vehicles and tools are maintained and ready for use. (d) Lesson development and presentation – All training and workshop offerings require a constantly updated curriculum of topics pertinent to the students and issues of the interagency community. Contractor must be able to develop and make formal presentations at a very professional level on current issues and topics. Real life experience and understanding of the political environment is a must in the presentation development. New presentations may need to be developed and delivered on short notice during a workshop due to new questions or emerging concerns. (e) Adapt to the changing expectations of each class and develop field and classroom exercises that allow the attendees to expand their understanding of the complex prescribed fire environment and the critical interactions between line officers and staff at the field unit level. (f) Escort two to four attendees during workshop/training associated prescribed fire projects and provide for their safety at all times. (g) Mentor attendees in small groups or one-on-one during the training events. Every session has students from units with unique situations and questions. Contractor must understand current federal prescribed fire policy and be able to discuss and analyze complex situations and help guide the student to an appropriate range of potential solutions or actions. (h) Guide students through self-reflection and learning through after action reviews. (i) Constantly maintain a learning environment. Lead discussions on pre-planned topics during vehicle travel times, during evening meals with attendees, and at other opportunities as they arise. (j) Develop curriculum, coordinate logistics, and deliver prescribed fire refresher training such as RT-300 to local and regional levels. (k) Participate in prescribed fire reviews and technical reviews of burn plans. (m) Participate as requested in 4-7-day sessions: opening and close-out presentations, planning, logistical support, marketing, and documentation needs for R4. 4.0 Deliverable / Schedule All written deliverables shall be phrased in layperson language. Delivery requirements and required schedule will be defined at the task order level in alignment with the USFS mission. 5.0 Government Furnished List any government-furnished support, data, property or facilities. Describe government responsibility for reviewing and approving reports and final products generated under the contract. If the contractor will require access to government facilities, identify the facility location and specific area. Identify any federal holidays or other times when access may be restricted. (a) Provide one (1) Forest Service technical point of contact for contractor interaction and logistical support. (b) Assist contractor with the coordination of mobilization to and from training delivery sites and to buildings/property to perform activities associated with the program of work. (c) The Government may provide an R4 vehicle (US Forest Service or rental fleet) for the contractor(s) to transport attendees to field sites and other official functions associated with any R4 sanctioned event. (d) The Government may provide equipment, video or images, electronic files, and/or documents to be used in the development of educational products. (e) The Government may temporarily supply the Contractor with personal protective equipment (PPE) and other fire gear required for field work or access to the fireline – except NWCG-compliant firefighting leather boots, which the Contractor shall provide. The Contractor shall return all supplied PPE to the or Federal or State Partner Agency promptly upon completing field work or when PPE is no longer required. (f) The performance may take place 1) remotely, 2) Regional Office or conference center in Ogden, Ut, 3) PFTC office in Tallahassee, FL, 4) National Advanced Fire and Resource Institute (NAFRI) in Tucson, AZ, 5) National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in Boise, ID, 6) Wildland Fire Apprenticeship Program (WFAP) in McClellan, CA, 7) any sanctioned locations in commercial conference facilities, 8) International partner facilities, or 9) federal, state, and local offices throughout the United States. Any access restrictions to government facilities will be identified to the contractor. (g) The technical point of contact will review, approve, and store all documents and material produced by the contractor for future needs and compliance with the task order. 6.0 Travel Identify any travel requirements, locations involved, number of trips (if known), and duration of anticipated travel. Specify responsibility for travel reimbursement, e.g., the contractor or the Government. If the travel will be reimbursed by the Government, discuss the method of reimbursement, e.g., in accordance with Federal/agency travel regulations. State the Government official authorized to approve contractor travel, e.g., the Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer Representative. (a) Travel directed by the Government will be paid in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR). i. The contractor may invoice for subsistence allowed for required travel that is directly related to the task order and site(s) as specified and approved by the Contracting Officer (CO) under this Contract. All travel plans and estimates shall be approved, by the technical point of contact, prior to commencement of travel and once conducted shall be presented for payment with receipts that document actual airfare and lodging (inclusive of taxes) in accordance with the FTR. Meals and incidental expenses are reimbursable at the current standard daily rate as established by the FTR. The contractor shall be reimbursed for actual allowable and reasonable travel costs incurred during performance of this effort in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) currently effective on the date of travel. The contractor shall complete a Trip Report for each individual authorized to travel and provide a detailed invoice including dates of travel and receipts for related expenses such as airfare, baggage, parking, rental car, hotel rooms and local transportation. Travel expenses must be authorized in advance to be allowable. The Government retains the option to provide meals and/or lodging when travel is required. A list of localities and maximum per diem rates is available at: http://www.gsa.gov/perdiem. (b) Travel will be authorized on a case-by-case basis as specified in each task order. The Contractor shall not exceed the total funds available for travel as indicated on the order without advanced written approval. 7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel Describe positions which are considered key to successful performance of the contract and the information required to support key personnel qualifications, e.g., experience which correlates to SOW requirements, education, and past performance on similar projects. Specify if resumes are required and provide resume format if appropriate. A resume is required to address each of the mandatory items listed in section 3.0 Qualifications and Requirements. 8.0 Security Requirements Specify security requirements that apply to the contract performance. Specify the level of clearances required and identify positions that are applicable. Contractors shall not have access to government facilities unless there is a government representative on-site. 9.0 Data Rights If data is to be produced, furnished, acquired, or used in meeting contract requirements, delineate the respective rights and obligations of the government and the contractor regarding the use, production, and disclosure of that data. Any data produced, furnished, acquired or used by the contractor will be retained by the government. 10.0 Section 508 - Electronic and Information Technology Standards If information technology is to be acquired, include language describing Section 508 requirements. All information technology acquired, produced, and/or stored will meet the requirements identified in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. 11.0 Performance Requirement Measures Indicate how the government will measure the contractor's performance for specific tasks or work critical to the mission essential items). The Forest Service will have a designated technical point of contact (Technical Monitor / COR) when contractors are being utilized. This Technical Monitor / COR will verify work is being completed to the standard needed by R4. The CO has the right to disallow and not reimburse the contractor for costs that are unreasonable in nature or amount. The expectations, standards, and timeline requirements will be identified in the task order and reviewed with the Contractor by the Technical Monitor / COR. The Technical Monitor will provide documentation to the Contractor Officer Representative and/or Contracting Officer on the contract performance requirements.