Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

This is a pre-solicitation notice for Region 3 Water Handling I-BPAs. Vendors are advised that there will be a shorter than usual response time for quotes. Vendors are encouraged to ensure SAM account... This is a pre-solicitation notice for Region 3 Water Handling I-BPAs. Vendors are advised that there will be a shorter than usual response time for quotes. Vendors are encouraged to ensure SAM accounts (www.sam.gov) are up-to-date and eAuthentication accounts (https://www.fs.fed.us/business/incident/eauth.php?tab=tab_d) are active prior to the solicitation release. If you need help with SAM, contact your local PTAC office ( http://www.aptac-us.org/). If you need help with VIPR, call the IIA helpdesk at 1-866-224-7677. It is intended that the solicitation will be available mid-March, with quotes due mid-April. Centralized inspections are being planned with the week of April 22 in Albuquerque, NM and the week of April 29 in Phoenix, AZ. The USDA Forest Service, Southwest Region (Region 3), is soliciting quotes (RFQ) for operated water handling equipment (engines, support water tenders, and tactical water tenders) for use on a local, Regional and Nationwide basis. The resources may be used in the protection of lands, to include but not be limited to, severity, fire suppression and all-hazard incidents. These agreements may be used by Federal and State Agencies. The national solicitation template can be viewed on the VIPR website (https://www.fs.fed.us/business/incident/solicitations.php?tab=tab_d). The solicitation will be issued using the Virtual Incident Procurement (VIPR) system; to use VIPR you must have access to a computer with internet capabilities. Basic information about the VIPR system and a Vendor User Guide are located at: http://www.fs.fed.us/business/incident/vipr.php.