Deschutes National Forest, Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District - Groundhog Cultural Heritage Surveys

Amendment / Modification

This amendment modifies Solicitation 1240BE2600037, dated 03/04/2026.

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. The revised clause emphasizes that contractors are expected to proceed with work upon Notice to Proceed (NTP) and confirm availability to start promptly. It also clarifies that contractors will not be at fault if surveys cannot commence immediately due to ground snow coverage.

• Clarification that a pre-work meeting will be established upon award and NTP issuance, with coordination being the Agency's responsibility.

• The Period of Performance is confirmed as 04/01/2026 to 09/30/2027.

• Solicitation 1240BE2600037

• INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE clause

• SOW (referenced in Q&A section)

• The amendment adds Q&A, which may impact bidder understanding of requirements.

• Proposal deadlines are not explicitly extended by this amendment, but the clarification on work commencement due to snow coverage may be relevant to contractor scheduling.

• The amendment clarifies that no report or pre-field research is required, and submissions are to be made only to USFS, not Oregon SHPO.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for Groundhog Heritage Surveys. The Deschutes National Forest (DNF) seeks a cultural resource contractor to complete pedestrian inventory and cultural resource documentation in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act for up to four vegetation management projects. This acquisition is set-aside for small business concerns.

• Mandatory Surveys:

  • Survey 01: Groundhog/Camp II (approx. 3,224 acres)
  • Survey 02: RMC (approx. 1,245 acres)

• Optional Surveys (up to 4,489 acres total):

  • 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)

• 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 spaced no more than 20 meters, no sub-surface testing or artifact collection. Work must be completed by archaeologists meeting Secretary of Interior's Professional Qualification Standards.

• Contract Type: Firm fixed price contract anticipated.

• Period of Performance: Estimated to begin 04/01/2026. Item 0001 completion by 09/30/2026; remaining items by 09/30/2027.

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but NAICS code 541620 (Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services) with a size standard of $19.0 million.

• 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.

• Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• NAICS Code: 541620 (Environmental Consulting Services).

• Size Standard: $19.0 million.

• Point of Contact: Andrea (Annie) Pollock, Contracting Officer at andrea.pollock@usda.gov.

• Attachments: Statement of Work, Forms (Site, Isolate, Monitoring, Milk Can Field Dating Guide), Maps, and Wage Determinations are included.

• Clauses: Incorporates FAR and AGAR clauses by reference.