Description
__I. The Heceta Thinning Study acquisition is planned as a firm-fixed-price stewardship contract pursuant to P.L. 108-7 (16 USC 2104 Note). It includes LAND MANAGEMENT SERVICES, where the Government will pay a contractor for services; and TIMBER REMOVAL AND SALE, where the contractor will purchase the timber harvested under the LAND MANAGEMENT SERVICES. The LAND MANAGEMENT SERVICES includes (i) the harvesting and yarding of selected young-growth timber in two timber units in preparation for a long-term site study by the Forest Service Laboratory; and (ii) the reconditioning or construction of gravel roads necessary to accomplish the harvesting and yarding. The value of the forest products removed from Forest Service lands (TIMBER REMOVAL AND SALE) will be an offset against the prices the Government will pay for the LAND MANAGEMENT SERVICES. __II. As mentioned above, the LAND MANAGEMENT SERVICES includes (i) the harvesting and yarding of selected young-growth timber in preparation for a long-term site study by the Forest Service Laboratory; and (ii) the reconditioning or construction of gravel roads necessary to accomplish the harvesting and yarding. The harvesting will involve 188 acres in twelve cutting units; the yarding will involve use of a skyline yarding system provided by the contractor. The roads work will involve reconditioning approximately 14 miles of existing Forest Service road and the construction of approximately 1.5 miles of new road in 12 segments or varying lengths. Road reconditioning consists of installing culverts, replacing an existing log stringer bridge with a prefabricated 30’ long bridge from Prince of Wales Island (to be repaired and transported under this contract), excavating approximately 200 linear feet of full bench rock, developing and placing 1,971 cubic yards of borrow at designated places to raise grade, fill holes, and repair slumps, and grading and rolling road. New road construction consists of linear grading which includes clearing and grubbing, furnishing, hauling and placing road material on the traveled way including turnouts/pullouts, parking areas and approach road intersections, mobilization, pit development, and seeding and fertilizing. __III. The estimated price range for the harvesting and yarding is between $500,000 and $1,000,000; the estimated price range for the road reconditioning and construction is between $250,000 and $500,000. The estimated volume of the timber to be removed is 2,560 MBF of hemlock and spruce sawlog with a standard rates value of $16,710. The period of performance is (i) before completion of the 2009 field season for the harvesting and yarding; and (ii) before completion of the 2007 field season for the road reconditioning and construction. __IV. Heceta Island is in Southeast Alaska’s Alexander Archipelago, off the northwest shore of Prince of Wales Island. The project begins near the Marine Access Facility at Port Alice. There are no scheduled commercial services available to or from Heceta Island. Access to Heceta Island is by boat, floatplane, or helicopter, as there are no bridge or highway connections. Prince of Wales Island is serviced by the Inter-island Ferry Authority with daily service from Ketchikan to Hollis and commercial tug and barge services. Ketchikan also has no highway or bridge connections, but does have airport and Alaska Marine Highway System connections. __V. A written solicitation numbered AG-0109-S-06-0009 will be issued. The solicitation (Request for Proposals) will be posted on FedBizOpps website for viewing and printing on or after 04 MAY 2006. Potential offerors must obtain the solicitation from the Internet. Offers will be due approximately 45 calendar days after the solicitation issue date, and award may occur approximately 30 days thereafter. __VI. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered. The Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration Program (FAR Subpart 19.10) applies. __VII. The point of contact for this acquisition is John Inman, (907)228-6231 (fax -6254), USDA Forest Service Alaska Region, 648 Mission Street, Ketchikan AK 99901. __VIII. AUTOMATIC NOTIFICATION: By registering to receive notification on posted synopses, you will be automatically notified via email of any changes to this project. To register, select 'Register to Receive Notification' and follow the steps. Follow the same procedure for each project. PLAN HOLDERS LISTS: The Interested Vendors List (IVL) has replaced the plan holders lists that were previously available with solicitation packages. Access the IVL for all projects through the FedBizOpps website. To register as an interested vendor, select 'Register as an Interested Vendor' and follow the steps. Follow this procedure for each project of interest. Use the 'Register as an Interested Vendor' option to add a company name to the IVL and then view or print the IVL by selecting 'View List of Interested Vendors' for each project. __IX. In order to receive any contract award, a vendor must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA). To register a firm in the CCR system, go to http://www.ccr.gov or call 1-888-227-2423 or 269-961-5757. To register a firm in the ORCA system, go to http://www.bpn.gov. __X. The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.