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 capability, availability, and licensing to conduct an herbicide release of tree seedlings from competing vegetation in the State of California. Size of project: approximately 1500 acres Location: Amador Ranger District, Eldorado National Forest Timing: Spring of 2023, approximately April to June Project Description: The work will require foliar application of herbicide mixtures from backpack sprayers to target vegetation using a shielded directed spray technique. Treatment units are regeneration stands resulting from the 2004 Power Fire. The stands have received varying treatments since the fire, such as mechanical site prep, tree planting, cutting of woody brush, herbicide treatment, and precommercial thinning. Some stands have recent precommercial thinning and/or brushcutting slash. Some areas have mature timber overstory. Stands range from 4,000’ to 7,000’ in elevation. Aspect varies but is predominantly south-facing. Slope varies and contains significant steep (>35%) areas. Woody brush may be large and dense. Woody brush species include deer brush, whitethorn, manzanita, chokecherry, bitter cherry, gooseberry, sierra currant, and bear clover. Trees in these stands consist primarily of planted conifers but include residual young growth and natural regeneration which may differ in size and species from the planted trees. All conifers, planted and natural, within the treatment units must be protected from herbicide. Licensing and Safety Requirements: The performance of this work requires that the contractor have a current State of California Agriculture Pest Control Operator License including Category "E" (Forest), and Pest Control Business License. Prior to beginning work, the contractor would be required to register this State License with the appropriate County Agriculture Commissioner(s). The contractor's authorized representative(s) on site must, at a minimum, be a State of California Certified Pesticide Applicator. The contractor would be required to comply with the State of California Safety Orders found under the California Administrative Code and with the requirements of the Federal Worker Protection Standards (40 CFR, part 170). Admin Contracting Officer: Sarah Hill Contracting Officer’s Representative: Jeff Griffin Submission Instructions: Responses via email are requested by Wednesday, January 18, 2023 to
[email protected]. Suggested information to include in your response: Company Name Contact information SAM UEI # Capability statement (may include a brief summary of similar projects performed, status of required licensing) 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. Thank you for your interest. For further information regarding licensing requirements contact the California Department of Pesticide Regulation at (916) 445-4038, or online at www.cdpr.ca.gov. Please direct all questions specific to this project to
[email protected].