Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

CROW MESSA WILDLIFE AND RANGELAND IMPROVEMENT THINNING PROJECT, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, FARMINGTON FIELD OFFICE, NEW MEXICO This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in... CROW MESSA WILDLIFE AND RANGELAND IMPROVEMENT THINNING PROJECT, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, FARMINGTON FIELD OFFICE, NEW MEXICO This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement and attachments constitute the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Consider this solicitation (140L3723Q0099) as a Request for Quotes (RFQ). This solicitation documents incorporate provisions and clauses in effect through Federal acquisition Circular 2019-03. This solicitation is set-aside for small business. NAICS 115310 - Support Activities for Forestry - Fuels Management Services. The small business size standard is $34.0 million. Product Service Code F014 - Natural Resources / Conservation - Tree Thinning. The resulting purchase order will be a firm-fixed price type contract. (SEE ATTACHMENTS FOR COMPLETE STATEMENT OF WORK, MAPS, WAGE DETERMINATIONS, AND CLAUSES / PROVISIONS.) 503 acres x $______________ = $___________________ In accordance with the procedures in FAR Part 12 and 13, RFQ 140L3723Q0099 is available for viewing through electronic commerce via Land Management's website at https://beta.sam.gov. The Government will award a purchase order resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer is conforming to the solicitation and is the lowest price technically acceptable. Quotes are due Friday, July 14, 2023, by 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time. Contractors submit quotes by email to awhetham@blm.gov. Note: Any contractor to submit an acceptable quote or be awarded a government contract must be registered and active in the System for Award Management (SAM). Contractors must register at www.sam.gov. Contractor's must submit their Unique Entity ID (UEI) and CAGE code with their quote. UEI ______________________ CAGE ____________________ For further information about this requirement, offerors should contact Audrey Whetham at awhetham@blm.gov. The provisions and clauses attached apply to this solicitation. CROW MESA WILDLIFE AND RANGELAND IMPROVEMENT THINNING PROJECT STATEMENT OF WORK A. INTRODUCTION The Bureau of Land Management's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. BLM manages public lands to maximize opportunities for commercial, recreational, and conservation activities. This promotes healthy and productive public lands that create jobs in local communities while supporting traditional land uses such as responsible energy development, timber harvesting, grazing, and recreation, including hunting and fishing. A.1 BLM MISSION PRIORITIES 1. Clean Energy: We will help lead the way to a clean energy future, leaving no communities behind. 2. Restoration: Nature is our planet¿s best engineer. As the effects of climate change increase, we will restore our lands and waters to create healthy, resilient landscapes and to allow nature to better store carbon. 3. Recreation for All: We will work to ensure that all families now and into the future have equal opportunity to hunt, camp, fish, hike and play on our public lands. 4. Conservation: As part of our multiple use and sustained yield mandate, we will address climate change and conservation in all we do. 5. Rebuild the Agency: To achieve the above and create an agency the future is relying upon; we will fix staffing shortages and build a team that represents all of America. B. BACKGROUND Pinyon-juniper woodlands provide thermal and escape cover for big game, as well as some forage resources. Vegetation types typically found in pinyon-juniper woodlands provide important, nutrient rich browse for wintering big game species. Over the past 150 years, fire suppression and historic overgrazing have likely contributed to an expansion of pinyon and juniper trees over much of the Farmington Field Office. As pinyon-juniper woodlands expand, infill and age, they can reduce production of understory vegetation by depriving those species of direct sunlight and competing with them for nutrients and moisture. Gradual replacement of superior browse forager with pinyon-juniper forest reduces habitat carrying capacities for many species. Still, pinyon and juniper forest does provide important cover for wintering wildlife, as well as essential nesting and foraging substrate for a variety of bird species. Existing vegetation consists primarily of persistent pinyon/juniper woodland with low density intermixed shrub and grass components. C. OBJECTIVE Clearing and thinning of pinyon-juniper forest shall be conducted in patches, to preserve intact forests and protect obligate wildlife species. In proximity to roads and other developments, forested buffers (screens) shall be retained to reduce visual exposure to wildlife. PROJECT SIZE The project shall consist of one option with 503 acres to quote on. The BLM will choose one proposal that is most advantageous to the agency and maximizes the full extent of the requirement as outlined per Section C, Project Size in the Statement of Work (SOW). Vendors are encouraged to offer up their best overall pricing. Requesting Office: Farmington Field Office Description/Project Area Name/Location Est. Qty. Unit Crow Mesa Thinning 503 Acres C.1 TASKS/TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS The following tasks for which the contractor shall use in the treatment of the Crow Mesa Wildlife and Rangeland Improvement Thinning Project (see attached maps): Thinning An on-site meeting with the Farmington Field Office (FFO) archeologist and on- site contractor personnel shall be held prior to the implementation of any thinning treatments. Treatment shall be done by hand-cutting (chainsaws and other hand equipment). Thinning shall reduce stand density to a range of 30 - 50 stems/acre of juniper and piñon pine species. Tree species removed shall include Juniper and Piñon Pine. Preference for leave trees shall be given first to the healthiest piñon pine trees with the lowest level of defect under 15" diameter at stump height (DSH). Cut all juniper trees under 15¿ diameter at stump height (DSH). No piñon pine or juniper trees with a diameter at root collar (DRC) greater than 15 inches, shall be removed. Due to stem characteristics of Juniper and Piñon, stem diameter shall be measured 6 inches above ground surface on the high side for cutting (DSH-diameter at stump height), not DBH. All standing dead trees (snags) under 15" diameter at stump height (DSH) shall be cut, lop and scattered. All dead and down woody material shall be limbed and the heavy fuels (greater than 3 inches in diameter) shall be bucked up to a maximum of 6-foot sections. Cut stumps shall be three (3) inches or less in height with no live limbs or foliage attached. Cut and felled material shall be bucked up to a maximum of 6-foot sections. Slash from cutting operations shall be lop and scattered. Scattered material shall be focused in areas prone to erosion (drainages, washes, gullies etc.) to prevent future erosion. Limb tops of mountain mahogany, oak brush, and serviceberry bushes to approximately waist height to promote growth regeneration. The contractor shall not cut culturally altered juniper and piñon pine trees as per the district archeologist guidelines. (Reference Archeological Sites Section in this SOW) Shall not delimb live branches on left trees. Slash Management Slash within the cutting area shall be lopped and scattered through-out the area and shall not exceed 18 inches in height. Cut material that is less than 15 inches in diameter shall be placed in arroyos and erosion "cuts" located within 1 chain (66 feet) of cut trees to help slow head cutting and soil erosion. Any tree that is cut within 66 feet of an active erosion cut, arroyo or area of bare ground shall have the slash placed in areas, in a manner that shall allow the slash to catch sediment and help reduce soil erosion. Leave Trees (No Cut Trees)- The contractor shall at no time cut trees for the following: Any tree having signs or survey markers. Any tree having wildlife nests or cavities. All trees along fence lines that have fence wire attached to them. All Alligator Juniper Seeding Areas to be treated shall be seeded prior to thinning, following the guidelines listed below. Seed supply shall be provided by the FFO-BLM. Seed supply is stored at the Farmington District Office. Contractor shall mix seed to comply with desired seed species ratio. Contractor shall disperse seed within treatment areas PRIOR to thinning activities at a rate of 10lbs of mixed seed per acre. No application of seed shall be applied if there is persistent snow on the ground. Approval for seed application shall be done through coordination with the delegated BLM COR if snow conditions exist. D. DELIVERABLES Requirements: Due On Site meeting with Farmington Field Office Archaeologist and Contractor. Determined by Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and Contracting Officer (CO) after award. Acreage Final Approval As determined by the Farmington Field Office and in consultation with the COR and CO Onsite meeting before any Thinning is to begin Determined by COR in consultation with the Farmington Field Archaeologist E. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION E.1 PLACE OF PEROFRMANCE The project lies approximately 8 miles northeast of Nageezi, NM. All project boundaries reside within BLM lands. Grid Coordinates are as follows: Township 27 N, Range 7 W, Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. The Contractor shall NOT block roadways. The Contracting Office shall at any time place certain work restrictions as necessary to the project, for the safety of general public. Any use of All Terrain Vehicles (including four-wheelers, Mules, Gators, etc.) must be approved in advance by delegated COR and in conjunction with the CO. Before any equipment is brought into the public land project area it shall be washed to remove non-native seeds or any other foreign object debris. Cleaning shall consist of the removal all dirt, grease, debris, and materials that shall harbor noxious weeds and their seeds. Cleaning shall occur away from the project site. Equipment includes Trucks, UTVs, Trailers and Hand-tools. E.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE Estimated start date is August 1, 2023, with performance time of completion due by November 30, 2024, (note work restrictions dates). WORK RESTRICTIONS UNDER PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The Contractor shall abide by the following Work Restrictions: MIGRATORY BIRD: May 15th - July 31st (No prescribed treatment activity is allowed during this period, unless cleared by a BLM biologist prior to treatment. Do not assume that BLM biologist shall be available to clear treatment areas during this time. If BLM biologist is available, the maximum cleared acres by BLM biologist per day shall be 10 acres. Clearances are valid for 10 calendar days.) BIG GAME WINTER RANGE: December 1st - February 28th. (No prescribed treatment activity is allowed during this period, unless approved by Farmington Field Manager in coordination with the COR and/or CO.) E.3 SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS MAPS BLM Maps shall show thinning boundaries, treatment acreage, and areas within the project boundary excluded from treatment. Geo-referenced PDF Avenza Maps of treatment polygons shall be made available by the Farmington Field Office Fire and Fuels program. PROJECT SITE ACCESS The contractor shall use existing roads and/or access routes that have been previously approved for vehicle use by the BLM. All access into the project shall be by existing roads or by foot. No vehicle access shall be allowed off established two track roads and must be approved for use prior to project implementation. Closest amenities (fuel; food; lodging) are approximately 53 miles (approx. 46 miles on pavement) from the southern portion of the project area. Road Conditions may become difficult in wet conditions. Tire chains are recommended (not provided by BLM). BOUNDARIES OF PROJECT AREA Project area boundaries shall be provided as geo-referenced PDF maps for use in Avenza Maps. Contractor may flag project area boundaries as needed (flagging not provided by BLM). MIGRATORY BIRDS Nesting Migratory Breeding Season begins on May 15th and ends on July 31st. No prescribed treatment activity shall be allowed during this period, unless cleared by a BLM biologist prior to treatment and in coordination with the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and Contracting Officer (CO). Do not assume that BLM biologist shall be available to clear treatment areas during this time. If BLM biologist is available, the maximum cleared acres by BLM biologist per day shall be 10 acres. Clearances are valid for 10 calendar days. If contract personnel encounter any bird nests within the acres to be thinned, they shall not cut the tree in which the nest is located or otherwise physically disturb the nest. BIG GAME WINTER RANGE Big game wintering range season begins December 1st and ends on February 28th. No prescribed treatment activity is allowed during this period, unless approved by Farmington Field Manager in coordination with the COR and/or CO. ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES This project may pose adverse effects to unknown cultural resources within the boundaries of the area. An on-site meeting with the Farmington Field Office (FFO) archeologist and on-site contractor personnel shall be performed prior to the implementation of any thinning treatments. Follow guidance from the Farmington Field Office Archeologist to avoid adverse effects to cultural resources. Notify the COR of any unidentified cultural sites discovered during the implementation of the project. SAFETY AND EQUIPMENT Contract personnel shall follow and meet all federal, state, and local safety standards and requirements for this project. REMOVAL OF FOREST PRODUCTS FROM AREA Removal of any forest product from the project site is not authorized. TRASH Thinning contractor shall be responsible for removal of all trash from the project site daily through the duration of the project. E.4 GOVERNMENT FUNSIHED EQUIPMENT: The government shall furnish all seed(s) required for the tasks associated with this SOW. E.5 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED EQUIPMENT: The contractor shall furnish all equipment and supplies, not furnished by government as listed in the SOW, to complete associated tasks required in this SOW. E.6 INSPECTION AND MEASUREMENT Initial inspections of treated areas shall be done by a delegated BLM COR or the assigned Project Inspector (PI). Final inspections shall include interior and exterior examinations for adherence to prescription. E.7 SITE VISIT is scheduled for Thursday, July 6, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. MST. Meeting Place: Sinclair Gas Station; 11260 Us Hwy 550, Nageezi, NM 87037 Point of Contact: Jake Quintana Telephone: 505-478-1485 Special Instructions: Optional site visit Wednesday June 28th, 2023; meet at the Sinclair Gas Station; 11260 Us Hwy 550, Nageezi, NM 87037, then travel to the site for the field visit. Information (maps and directions) will be available through the Farmington Field Office, 6251 College Blvd. Suite A Farmington, NM 87042 at 505-478-1485. The work site is approximately a 0.5 hr. drive from 11260 Us Hwy 550, Nageezi, NM. If you plan on attending the site visit, please contact Jake Quintana via phone (505)-478-1485, or email jjquintana@blm.gov 48 hrs. before day of visit to confirm. The roads out there can be slick if they are wet, so we will have to pay close attention to the weather leading up to this date. High clearance vehicle recommended. This visit will be conducted outdoors. This visit will take place in Rio Arriba County. Site visit is subject to cancellation dependent upon weather and road conditions. E.8 LOWEST PRICE TECHNICAL ACCEPTABLE REQUIREMENTS: For the quote to be technically acceptable it must include the following information: Experience: Provide 3 references for projects completed similar in scope and size. (Name of Job, Start and end dates, Location, Description of work performed, Company ¿ Contact Information, Value of the Job) Schedule: Provide a schedule to show how work described in the SOW will be completed within the Period of Performance requirements. Technical: Provide information on how the contractor will approach the project that demonstrates a thorough knowledge and understanding of the requirements in the SOW.