USDA Feasibility Study on Consolidating Wildland Fire Management Operations

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to questions submitted by interested parties regarding a Request for Information (RFI) related to a feasibility study for the consolidation of federal wildland fire management functions. The RFI is for market research purposes only.

• Organizational Independence: The feasibility study must be conducted objectively and independently by the prime contractor and all team members, including subcontractors. Potential organizational conflicts of interest must be identified and mitigated.
• Scope: The study focuses on impacts associated with USDA Forest Service operations and wildland fire operations of state, local, and tribal governments. The government intends to clearly define requirements in any resulting solicitation to minimize scope changes.
• Interagency Data Access: The government anticipates facilitating access to relevant information and coordinating engagement with appropriate personnel across the USDA Forest Service and DOI bureaus, as appropriate and consistent with applicable laws and policies.
• Government-Furnished Information: Access to relevant Government-furnished information, reports, and personnel will be provided as appropriate. Timely support will be offered, but specific response timelines cannot be committed at this stage.
• Legal Analysis: The study may include an analysis of relevant statutory authorities, appropriations structures, and regulatory considerations. Respondents should propose an approach and team structure necessary for addressing these, including assumptions regarding expertise.
• Subcontracting: Objectives related to subcontracting will be addressed in any resulting solicitation. Subcontracting will generally be managed in accordance with FAR requirements.
• RFI Formatting: The RFI should be single-spaced.
• SAM.gov Registration: Responses will be considered regardless of current SAM.gov registration status, but registration will be required for any resulting solicitation or contract award.
• Solicitation Release: A solicitation may be issued at a later date, with a potential release in the May timeframe, but this is not guaranteed.

This Q&A document clarifies aspects of the RFI and provides insight into potential requirements and processes for a future solicitation. It emphasizes that the RFI is for market research and that specific details regarding subcontracts, team composition, and submission requirements will be defined in the eventual solicitation.

Statement of Objectives (SOO)

To conduct a feasibility study that will inform decision-making regarding the consolidation of wildland fire management operations. The study will provide an objective, evidence-based analysis without prescribing specific solutions.

• Evaluate the consolidation of federal wildland fire management functions.

• Assess operational, financial, organizational, infrastructure, and stakeholder impacts of consolidation.

• Analyze anticipated efficiencies and potential adverse impacts on agency mission delivery, operational readiness, and program support continuity.

• Identify key risks, dependencies, constraints, and mitigation strategies for consolidation.

• Document assumptions, limitations, data sources, and uncertainties.

• Address specific areas including agency-wide land management objectives, coordination of wildland fire management operations, cohesion between fire management and fuel reduction programs, workforce utilization, reliance on non-fire personnel, comparison with NIFC functions, stakeholder relationships, budget execution, operational support functions, and facilities/infrastructure.

• Period of Performance: Six (6) months from contract award.

• Place of Performance: Primarily the Contractor's facilities, with potential for virtual coordination and on-site engagement.

• Project Management Plan (due upon proposal submission)

• Stakeholder Engagement Plan

• Interim Findings Briefing

• Draft Feasibility Study Report

• Comprehensive Final Feasibility Study Report with findings and recommendations

• Executive Summary Briefing for Congressional and Agency Leadership

• Presentation of findings to government stakeholders

• The study must be conducted in an objective and independent manner.

• Analysis must be non-partisan and adhere to federal standards.

• Findings must be supported by verifiable data, documented stakeholder input, or clearly stated analytical assumptions.

None at this time.

Request for Information (RFI) - Market Research

This RFI is issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct market research and gather industry feedback on the feasibility of consolidating federal wildland fire management operations. This RFI is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. No contract will be awarded from this notice, though a future solicitation may be issued.

The government seeks information on methods, approaches, capacity, schedule, and risks to perform an independent, evidence-based feasibility study. This study will assess operational, financial, organizational, infrastructure, and workforce impacts of consolidation, identify efficiencies and adverse effects, and document risks, dependencies, constraints, assumptions, and uncertainties. The study period of performance is 6 months.

Respondents should address the following areas, as detailed in the attached draft Study Statement of Objectives (SOO):

• Mission delivery and land management objectives
• Feasibility of consolidated fire management structure, coordination, and resource sharing
• Cohesion among wildland fire, hazardous fuel reduction, and prescribed fire
• Workforce utilization and capacity (including NWCG certified personnel)
• Comparison to NIFC's current coordination functions
• Effects on states, local governments, Tribal entities, and other stakeholders
• Budget execution, fiscal management, and appropriations authorities
• Operational support (aviation, dispatch, communications, logistics)
• Facilities, capital assets, shared infrastructure

Respondents must include:

• A capabilities statement, past performance, and organizational independence.

• An analytical approach for fulfilling the SOO requirements, including data needs, methodology, and risk mitigation.

• Relevant federal, state, or local wildfire knowledge and experience, including familiarity with federal organizational structure and budget mechanisms.

• Organization location and direct experience with wildfire response.

• Staffing plan and key personnel qualifications.

• Feedback on the draft SOO's scope, constraints, performance objectives, and deliverables.

• Market insights on NAICS/PSC alignment and potential small business participation.

• Questions Due: March 24, 2026, 10:00 AM MST

• Responses Due: March 27, 2026, 10:00 AM MST

• Submission Method: Email to stephen.holly@usda.gov in PDF format. Phone calls will not be accepted.

• Format: English language, black text on white background, 12-point font, single-sided 8.5" x 11" pages. Part II requirements limited to 2,000 words.

• Place of Performance: Contractor facilities with virtual/on-site engagement.

• Anticipated Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price.

• Interested companies must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) and not be on the Excluded Party List.

• USDA is seeking information from both large and small businesses.

• Set-aside determination is TBD, pending market feedback.

• This RFI is for information and planning purposes only. The government will not pay for submitted information or compensate for response costs.

• A decision not to respond to this RFI will not preclude participation in future solicitations.

• Anticipated NAICS/PSC codes are provided for input (e.g., 541611, 541612, 541618, 541690, 115310; R499, R699, B505). Respondents may propose alternates.