Tree Survival Stocking Exams

Stanislaus National Forest Tree Survival Stocking Exams This Sources Sought notice is for information and planning purposes only; to gain knowledge of the marketplace that will inform acquisition decisions. It is not a solicitation announcement and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. The Government is not requesting offers or proposals now. After a review of the responses to this notice, a solicitation announcement may be posted. A response to this notice is not considered a reply to any future solicitation, nor is it a guarantee that a solicitation will be issued to respondents. The U.S. Forest Service is conducting this Sources Sought to identify contractors who possess the capabilities and availability to conduct a uniform and systematic examination of plantation stocking in 1st year and 3rd year tree plantations using stocking and vegetation plots to identify potential significant competition from vegetation types, percent survival, stocking, distribution of trees per acre (TPA) by species, and identify/categorize damage by type and possible cause. Work would take place on the Stanislaus National Forest, Tuolumne County, in the fall of 2023. Qualified contractors would possess the ability to identify: Woody plants, grasses and forbs. Damage by weather, such as: frost, snow, mold or drought, and describe the amounts of damage. Damage by the following animals and describe amounts of damage; big game animals (deer, elk); rodents (porcupine, wood rats, mice, gopher, rabbits, etc.); livestock (cattle). Species of animal tracks and other signs of their presence in the plots. Expected Contractor Furnished Equipment In addition to labor and transportation, the Contractor shall furnish the following items for each working crew: GPS receiver unit compatible with National Forest GIS Systems capable of meeting current tested accuracies for Distance-Distance Methods, pursuant to Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 2409.12 – TIMBER CRUISING HANDBOOK, Chapter 50 – Area Determination, and meet the standards set forth in R5 supplements to FSH 2409.12, Chapter 50. Measuring device capable of measuring 198 feet (3 chains). Tape, stick, or other reliable device capable of measuring a circle up to maximum radius of 13.6’. Black permanent marker. Clinometers or other device for measuring slopes (a slope correction chart will be furnished by Government). A means for identification of common local plant species (the Government will furnish a listing of plant species with R5 codes associated with each species). Hot orange pin flags Contractor shall provide in advance of starting contract, predesignated plot locations in a grid pattern in Avenza or an app that is comparable for importing marked plots into ArcMap for each unit. If your company may be interested in this requirement and has performed similar services, please respond via the submission instructions at the end of this document. Response is strictly voluntary – it is not mandatory to submit a response to this notice to participate in any formal solicitation process that may take place in the future. However, it should be noted that information gathered through this notice may significantly influence our acquisition strategy. Submission Instructions: Responses via email are requested by Thursday, August 10, 2023 to [email protected] and should include the information requested below. This is strictly market research. Information to include: Company Name SAM UEI # Base of Operations City, State Point of Contact Name Email Phone Size Status and any applicable socio-economic designations Capability statement or Brief summary of similar projects performed (limit 1-2 pages) Thank you for your interest. Please direct all questions to [email protected].