Deschutes National Forest, Bend-Fort Rock Ranger Ground Hog Heritage Surveys
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Deschutes National Forest is soliciting proposals for Groundhog Heritage Surveys (Solicitation 1240BE26Q0037), seeking a cultural resource contractor to conduct pedestrian inventory and cultural resource documentation in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. This opportunity is a Total Small Business Set-Aside. An amendment (Amd_0001) has been issued, clarifying requirements and confirming the period of performance. Proposals are due March 24, 2026, at 4:30 PM PST.
Purpose & Scope
The primary purpose is to complete cultural resource surveys for up to four vegetation management projects within the Deschutes National Forest in Bend, OR. The work involves pedestrian inventory and documentation. Mandatory Surveys include:
- Survey 01: Groundhog/Camp II (approx. 3,224 acres)
- Survey 02: RMC (approx. 1,245 acres) Optional Surveys (up to 4,489 acres total) include:
- Survey 03: Wild Out of Key Elk (up to 904 acres)
- Survey 04: North Basin P1-5 (up to 1,386 acres)
- Survey 05: Wild in Key Elk (up to 1,129 acres)
- Survey 06: North Basin P6 (up to 1,070 acres) Key Deliverables: Status check-ins, draft resource forms, GIS data, final site forms, isolated find forms, shapefiles/geodatabase, photographs, photo logs, and field notes. Methodology: Survey transects must be spaced no more than 20 meters. No sub-surface testing or artifact collection is permitted. Work must be performed by archaeologists meeting the Secretary of Interior's Professional Qualification Standards. No pre-field research or reports are required, and submissions are to be made only to USFS.
Contract Details
- Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price contract anticipated.
- Period of Performance: Confirmed as April 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027.
- Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside.
- NAICS Code: 541620 (Environmental Consulting Services) with a size standard of $19.0 million.
- Product Service Code: B525 (Natural Resource Studies).
- Place of Performance: Bend, OR, United States.
Submission & Evaluation
- Offer Due Date: March 24, 2026, 4:30 PM PST.
- Submission Method: Via email to andrea.pollock@usda.gov, with "1240BE26Q0037" in the subject line.
- Evaluation Criteria: Best value to the Government, considering Technical Approach, Relevant Past Performance, and Price. Award may not necessarily go to the lowest priced offeror.
- Quote Acceptance Period: 90 calendar days from the offer due date.
Amendment 0001 Details
Amendment 0001, posted March 19, 2026, modifies Solicitation 1240BE2600037. Key changes include:
- Addition of a 4-page document containing questions and answers.
- Deletion of the last two paragraphs of the INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE clause, clarifying that contractors proceed upon Notice to Proceed (NTP) and are not at fault for delays due to ground snow coverage.
- Confirmation that a pre-work meeting will be established upon award and NTP, with coordination by the Agency.
- The Period of Performance is confirmed as 04/01/2026 to 09/30/2027.
- Clarification that no report or pre-field research is required, and submissions are only to USFS, not Oregon SHPO.
Point of Contact
Andrea Pollock, Contracting Officer, andrea.pollock@usda.gov.