Pasture Fence Materials for the Bighorn National Forest

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to questions from potential offerors regarding the "Pasture Fence Materials" solicitation (1240LP26Q0066).

• Cable Tensioners: Must be sufficient to hold cable taught and withstand animal pressure, similar to a 3/8-inch diameter steel turnbuckle.
• Cable Clasps: Standard galvanized 3/8" cable clamps are acceptable.
• Delivery: Semi-truck access is available at Burgess Junction.
• Cutting Methods: Oxy/acetylene torch cutting is not permitted. Plasma cut copes and holes are acceptable, provided they leave clean/smooth edges. Hand-cut methods are not allowed.
• Pipe Material: High-quality, #1 used drill stem pipe is acceptable for posts, rails, and H-braces. New, prime steel pipe is not strictly required.
• Scope: The requirement is for materials supply and delivery only. Installation will be performed by Forest Service personnel.
• Material Finish: Posts, braces, and rails should NOT be galvanized. Galvanized cable is acceptable.
• Gates: Commercial, off-the-shelf, 12-foot farm gates (e.g., Tarter or Powder River brand) constructed of pipe are acceptable.
• Pipe Specifications: 2 3/8" outside diameter pipe with a wall thickness of 0.19-0.25 inches is required. Oil field drill pipe is intended. New or used pipe is acceptable.
• Coping/Drilled Holes: Any method leaving a clean hole/cope (not by hand) is acceptable, with tolerances of 0.1 inches. Flame-drilling is acceptable.
• Cable Type: 3/8" 7x19 lay or 6x25 lay, galvanized or stainless steel is required.

The solicitation due date is NOT being extended. Offerors are requested to sign and return this amendment as acknowledgement.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for the purchase and delivery of pasture fence materials required by the Bighorn National Forest for the construction of approximately 1.33 miles of fence around the horse pasture at Burgess Ranger Station. The purpose of the fence is to reconfigure the pasture to safely confine government-owned horses, preventing public vehicle traffic from entering the pasture and reducing the risk of vehicle/horse collisions or escapes. The fence will be all-metal construction, designed to withstand winter snowpack while allowing public access.

• All materials must be new.

• Fence construction: all-metal, 40 inches tall, consisting of tubular steel posts (2 3/8" diameter) and a top rail of the same material.

• Posts to be 5 ½ feet long, fabricated from 2 3/8" diameter steel drill stem pipe (or similar), with specific coping and perforation details.

• Two runs of 3/8" diameter steel cable.

• Cable tensioners and clamps for 3/8" cable.

• 12-foot commercially manufactured metal gates and hinges.

• H-brace rails: 4 feet in length, fabricated from 2 3/8" diameter steel drill stem pipe (or similar).

• Award Type: Firm-fixed price contract.

• Contract Type: Not explicitly stated, but implied to be for commercial products.

• Period of Performance: Delivery within 30 days after award, and no later than July 1, 2026. Early deliveries are accepted.

• Estimated Value: Not stated.

• Submission Deadline: Offers must be delivered by 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time on Monday, May 11, 2026.

• Submission Method: Email to Tina Frankenbery at Tina.Frankenbery@usda.gov with three separate attachments (SF1449, Technical Proposal, Price Proposal) in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF format.

• Offer Acceptance Period: 90 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers.

• Evaluation Criteria: Lowest price technically acceptable.

  • Technical Acceptability: Rated as "acceptable" or "unacceptable" based on the offeror's ability to provide a sound and compliant approach. An award will be made to the lowest-priced offeror determined to be technically acceptable.
  • Price: Will be evaluated for fairness and reasonableness.

• Key Deadlines:

  • Questions due: May 5, 2026, 12:00 PM Mountain Time.
  • Offer due: May 11, 2026, 3:00 PM Mountain Time.
  • Delivery: Within 30 days after award AND no later than July 1, 2026.

• Offerors must have an active registration in SAM.

• Specific clauses indicate potential set-asides (e.g., 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Aside), but this is not explicitly stated as a requirement for this solicitation.

• Attachments referenced: Attachment 1 (Solicitation Terms and Conditions), Attachment 2 (Schedule of Items), Attachment A (Rail & Post Spec. Features).

• FAR and AGAR clauses are incorporated by reference and listed.

• The USDA Ombudsman Program is available for agency protests.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a solicitation for fence materials required by the Bighorn National Forest, Tongue Ranger District, for the perimeter of the horse pasture at Burgess Ranger Station.

• Fence materials, including gates and components.

• Delivery is required within 30 days after award.

• The solicitation number is 1240LP26Q0066.

• The offer due date is May 11, 2026, at 1500 MT.

• Bidders must complete blocks 12, 17, 23, 24, and 30.

• The solicitation incorporates FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4, and 52.212-5 by reference.

• The North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) code is 331210, with a size standard of 1,000 employees.

• The acquisition is set aside 100.00% for Small Business.

• The issuing office is USDA-FS CSA INTERMOUNTAIN 4, Ogden, UT.

• The point of contact for solicitation information is Tina Frankenbery at 605-673-9348.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Excel spreadsheet titled "Attachment 2 - Schedule of Items." It details the specific materials and quantities required for the opportunity, along with instructions for bidders to provide their pricing.

• Item Number: Unique identifier for each material.
• Description: Specific details of the item (e.g., dimensions, material, specifications).
• Pay Unit: Unit of measure for the item (e.g., EA for Each, Feet).
• Est Qty: Estimated quantity required.
• Unit Cost: Field for the bidder to enter their proposed unit cost.
• $ Amount: Field for the bidder to calculate the total cost per item.
• Shipping: Includes a line item for shipping to Sheridan, WY 82801, with the contractor responsible for off-loading.
• Offeror Information: Requires the bidder to provide Company Name, Vendor UEI, Contact Person, and Email Address.

This attachment is crucial for bidders to understand the specific materials and quantities needed for the project. Bidders must use this schedule to calculate their proposed costs and provide the requested company and contact information. The "Unit Cost" and "$ Amount" columns are to be completed by the offeror.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment A - Rail and Post Spec Features.pdf", provides detailed specifications and conceptual images for fence rails and posts. It is intended to inform bidders about the physical characteristics and dimensions of materials required for fencing.

• Conceptual Image (Figure 1): Illustrates a general representation of a fence with rails and posts.
• Brace Rail Specifications (Figure 2): Details the dimensions for a brace rail, including a length of 4 feet and a diameter of 2 3/8 inches. It also specifies a 1/2 inch thickness and a 2 3/8 inch outer diameter.
• Fence Post Specifications (Figure 3): Outlines the dimensions for a fence post. The total height is 5 feet 6 inches. The post has a 2 3/8 inch diameter. Specific measurements include 1' 10 1/8" from the top for a brace attachment point, an 8" section for a brace, and a 1' 2 1/8" section for a rail attachment. It also indicates a 1 inch diameter hole for a rail and a cope at the top.

This attachment is crucial for bidders to understand the specific material requirements for fencing components. It directly impacts material sourcing, cost estimation, and the technical compliance of any proposed fencing solution. Bidders must ensure their proposals account for these precise specifications.