The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service intends to issue an a non-competitive contract to Coast Machinery, Baton Rouge, LA to provide the Marsh Master II, Model C , a fully amphibious vehicle with a fire suppression system to our Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in East Lake, NC. The Marsh Master II is unique in that it has no other commercially available equivalent. It is totally amphibious, easily operated, and carries a payload of 1500 lbs. The specifications that we need on a machine are as follows: 1. Capable of fully amphibious operation at speeds of 2-3 mph. 2. Cab protected by ROPES approved roll bars with overhead rack and front brush guard. 3. Capable of terrestrial operation at speeds of up to 15 mph. 4.Vehicle must be low maintenance with easily accessed grease fittings. 5. Capable of crossing ditches, creeks and open water to access wildfires, prescribed burns and fire break projects. 6. Payload of 1500 pounds. 7. Maximum ground pressure of one half pound per square inch. 8. Transportable on pull-behind trailer behind a pickup or type 6 wildland fire engine (F-350 truck). 9. Tilt-deck, galvanized trailer with torsion bar axles and electric brakes. Trailer must meet USFWS load and securement Policy 243.5, with FWS Safety feature requirements on the trailer such as non-skid pads and reinforced center beams. 10. Boosted 40 hp auxiliary hydraulic tool circuit (25 gpm 3000 psi) system to support cutter/mower attachment in addition to a standard hydraulic tool circuit (6gpm 3000 psi). 11. An attached six foot mower/cutter deck driven by the mother vehicle's hydraulic system and must be capable of cutting up to 4 inch diameter woody debris and stems. 12. Built in 110 gallon fire suppression system with hydraulic driven fire pump. Water tanks and pumps capable of drafting water from canals or ponds and transporting it short to moderate distances and allowing firefighters to spray it onto fires or vegetation for use in fire control operations. 13. Delivery 120-150 days from receipt of order. 14. All hydraulic fluids used or installed must be "biodegradable". THIS NOTICE IS NEITHER A REQUEST FOR QUOTATION NOR A SOLICITATION OF OFFERS. A determination not to compete this proposed contract has been made Pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), as implemented by 6.302-1(b)(1)(i), this requirement has been justified and approved in accordance with FAR 6.303 and FAR 6.304. All inquiries and concerns must be addressed in writing to the e-mail address or facsimile number stated herein, Attn: Carla Strong. Responses to this notice must be received by Sept. 6, 2005. Please include your name, point of contact, address, area code, telephone number and facsimile number. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted. Requests can be faxed to (404) 679-4057 or e-mailed to
[email protected].*****