This advertisement is NOT a solicitation for offers, bids or proposals. The Forest Service is conducting market research in order to see the availability of sources for a possible future procurement. These are very unique services. The proper response to this market research would be to send a company profile or information sheet to the CO via FAX or E-mail, with E-mail being preferred. We do not intend to conduct meetings, hear presentations, or entertain unsolicited proposals for this requirement at this time. Although we will keep your company information on file, there will be no "bidders list" formed, and there is no guarantee held out or implied that a Request for Proposals, Request for Quotes, Invitation for Bids, or any other open market procurement will result from the collection of this market data. If there is an open market procurement which results, it will be posted here at the Federal Business Opportunities Website for public download and response at the set-aside level indicated by the results of the market research, or perhaps not set-aside at all, and rather available for full and open competition. Any questions should be in writing via E-mail and addressed to Steve Roehr at
[email protected] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For the purposes of this Sources Sought request for information, the only information sought is as follows: Company name Company address Company phone number Company fax number Point of Contact name and E-mail address Company business size against size standard for NAICS code 541990 ($7.0 Million) Suggestions for other appropriate NAICS codes, (if any), and a brief statement as to why. Business type and socio-economic status: (Large Business; Non-Profit; Small Business; Small Disadvantaged Business Certifed; Women Owned; Disabled Veteran Owned; Hubzone Certified; 8(a) Certified, etc.) ------------------------------------------------------------------- Brief summary of company experience SPECIFIC in nature to the type of work called for in the description below. In particular, specific experience in working directly with Southern Nevada Native American Tribal Governments in the Spring Mountains region of Souther Nevada, and particularily any Southern Paiute and Chemehuevi Tribal Governments. If you do NOT possess this very specific experience, please state this fact CLEARLY. You may then go on to describe the experience you do possess, and explain how your experience qualifies you in your estimation to do this type of work. Perhaps experience with other Tribal Governments in the Southwest, etc. DESCRIPTION OF POSSIBLE PROCUREMENT: The USDA Forest Service and the DOI Fish and Wildlife Service are working in partnership to produce a project that will improve the agencies’ relationship with the Southern Paiute and Chemehuevi Tribes that have cultural and historic ties to the Spring and Sheep Mountain Ranges. There are two primary deliverables which would be expected from this contract. The first would be the development of an agreement between each federal agency and the Southern Paiute and Chemehuevi Tribes. Two distinct agreements would need to be developed and signed so that the Forest Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service could maintain distinct authorities over the lands that they each manage. These agreements would outline the processes by which the Forest Service/Fish and Wildlife Service would work with the tribal governments, particularly in regard to federal capital improvement projects, programs, and policies. It would also clarify the roles and responsibilities of each government during government to government consultation on the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area and the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. The second deliverable would be a pair of resource management projects – One on the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area and another on the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. These resource management projects would provide an opportunity to evaluate components of the federal/tribal consultation agreement and would provide partnership opportunities between the agencies and the tribes. Any proposed resource management project would need to meet objectives of both the agencies and the tribes. The project would also incorporate active participation of the tribes. In addition to coordinating the resource management project, the contractor would also produce a monitoring plan to help ensure the protection of the resource being managed. A series of meetings would be included among the list of deliverables. These meetings would include both federal and tribal representatives in order to help facilitate development of the agreements and developing the resource management projects. Additional meetings between the individual Southern Paiute and Chemehuevi Tribes may also be necessary to develop acceptance among the various tribes. The intent of this project would be to clarify the consultation process in an innovative and cost effective way that is acceptable to both federal and tribal governments. Sought Contractor Qualification goals The ideal contractor would have demonstrated experience working with the Southern Paiute and Chemehuevi Tribes, who have cultural and historic ties to the Spring Mountains. This contractor would also have experience developing approaches that strengthen the interface between federal and tribal/indigenous governments. A successful contractor will have a strong working knowledge of Southern Paiute and Chemehuevi culture as well as awareness of the social and economic issues affecting the tribes. They will also be cognizant of the operating environment of federal agencies. Demonstrated experience with indigenous resource management strategies is also ideal. Essential to these qualifications is the ability to develop innovative projects with active tribal involvement that assist the federal agencies in fulfilling their management responsibilities in a culturally responsive manner.