F -- 4-Bear/Little Precommercial Thinning/release/handpiling

The intent of this contract is to secure services for precommercial thinning and release on approximately 400 acres on the Happy Camp Ranger District, Klamath National Forest, Siskiyou County, California. Project consists of contractor selecting leave trees, cutting of non-leave trees (conifers and hardwoods) and slash treatment. Bid item 2 requires that a portion of the units have the slash hand piled. The contractor shall provide all transportation, supervision and supplies to perform the work. Presently, all of the units have a Limited Operating Period (LOP) for owls and most of the units for the marbled murrelet (MAMU). The contractor shall ensure that an adequate workforce is available to complete the contract within the specified time period. Contract time: 61 calendar days. All responsible sources may submit a quotation which will be considered by the agency. Numbered note 1 applies. It is estimated that this request for quotations will be uploaded in FEDBIZOPPS approximately mid August, 2002. MODIFICATION: Due to the severity of the current fire season, funding of this project is not presently available. The Forest Service anticipates receiving additional funding before the end of the current fiscal year (September 30, 2002). This announcement is issued based on this supposition. Award of this project is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds.