This is a SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS for Market Research ONLY to determine the availability of firms to conduct an assessment of the Beasley Knob OHV trail system on the Chattahoochee National Forest in Union County, Georgia. NO AWARD will be made from this Synopsis. NO SOLICITATION, SPECIFICATIONS, OR DRAWINGS ARE AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME; therefore, do NOT request a copy of a solicitation. Potential offerors having the skill, capability, and experience necessary to perform the described project are invited to provide feedback via email as instructed below. All responses will be used to determine the appropriate acquisition strategy for a potential future acquisition. The project goals and objectives are summarized in the following four action items: (1) INVENTORY -- Complete a 10.5 mile trail inventory, evaluating the current physical, social and managerial setting of the Beasley Knob OHV Trail System. Conduct the inventory with the assistance of trail volunteers. Utilize the inventory method as a means to also provide outdoor education where volunteer participants learn how to assess, repair, and maintain problematic trail sections. The inventory phase will include extensive cooperation with both the public and agency personnel to help better understand the assessment process. (2) CLASSIFY -- For each Beasley Knob trail or trail segment, review the USFS Trail Fundamentals: Trail Type, Trail Class, Managed Use, Designed Use, and Design Parameters. Classify/Reclassify each trail fundamental based on inventory findings. (3) ASSESS -- Assess the content, character and condition of the Beasley Knob OHV Trails, focusing on two key criteria: recreational value and sustainability. (4) PLAN -- Develop a Trails Management Plan for the Beasley Knob OHV Trail System to provide a summary of findings and recommendations for future management. The plan should include a conceptual trail layout plan that address sustainability, reroute alternatives, new trail loop connectors, and trail user recreational experience. BACKGROUND INFORMATION The Beasley Knob OHV Trail System is one of eleven OHV trail systems on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest (CONF) which provide a total of 110 miles of trail riding. It is the only trail system on the CONF which allows for full-size passenger vehicles. The system accounts for approximately 10 percent of all off-road mileage and nearly 100 percent of full-size vehicle mileage available on the CONF. Interestingly, it also accounts for approximately 10 percent of off-road mileage available on public land in the entire state of Georgia considering that the U.S. Forest Service is the only governmental agency to offer this type of recreation on public land. The Beasley Knob OHV Trail System provides approximately 10.5 miles of recreational riding for OHV enthusiasts. The system is made up of interconnecting dirt trails, rock hill climbs and gravel roads through the Chattahoochee National Forest. The system is recommended for experienced riders, only, because of its challenging terrain and steep ascents. The trail system attracts recreationists from local Georgia communities, the metropolitan Atlanta area and surrounding states, especially those seeking to ride full-size four-wheel drive vehicles, such as jeeps and buggies. There is clear evidence that the many sections of the trail system are not sustainable. That is, they have a large impact on the natural surroundings, they have significant evidence of soil loss or movement, and they require extensive re-routing and long-term maintenance plans. The focus of this assessment will be to promote environmental protection through the creation and maintenance of sustainable trails at the Beasley Knob OHV Trail System. Close cooperation and participation with interested user groups and publics will be an important part of this assessment. The affected user groups and any interested public participants will play an active role throughout all parts of the assessment. The contractor will serve in a facilitator role throughout the process. INSTRUCTIONS FOR REPLIES Potential offerors having the skill, capability, and experience necessary to perform the described project are invited to provide feedback by April 5, 2010 to Ms. Marcia O’Connor at
[email protected]. The respondent should provide the following information: (1) Information regarding your firm's experience in and understanding of the project goals and objectives. (2) Project resumes with reference information, with particular emphasis on Forest Service trail assessment projects. (3) Key personnel experience and credentials. (4) Experience and success in involving volunteers, user groups and interested public participants. (5) Experience and capability to inventory, classify, assess, and make planning recommendations for Off-Highway Vehicle trail (OHV) systems or non-motorized trail systems. (6) Use of geographic information systems (GIS) to support analysis.