Tongass National Forest

General Contracting Information

First source for those interested in contracting with the Federal Government.

Procurement Technical Assistance Center http://ptacalaska.org/ (800-478-7232)

RFQs – Request for Quotations

This process is used for procurements estimated to be less than $150,000.00. The Simplified Acquisition Procedures found in FAR Part 13 are used. Award may be based on price alone, or price and other factors.

IFBs – Invitation for Bids

This process is used for procurements estimated to exceed $150,000.00 and award is made to the lowest-priced, responsive, responsible bidder. The sealed bidding procedures are found in FAR Part 14.

RFPs – Request for Proposals

This process is used for procurements estimated to exceed $150,000.00 and award will be based on price and other factors. Other factors may include experience, past performance, key personnel, work methods, or other factors which will ensure the best value. The procedures for contracting by negotiation are found in FAR Part 15.

The Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) may be found at http://www.arnet.gov/far/ and the Agriculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) may be found at http://www.usda.gov/procurement/policy/index.html.

Set-Asides

All acquisitions are classified using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) at http://www.census.gov/epcd/naics02/naicod02.htm.

Small Business set-asides: Most service contracts on the Tongass National Forest are set-aside for small business.

HUBZone set-asides: The Federal Government will be limiting competition on some of its contracts to those contractors that are certified under the HUBZONE Program. Those contractors interested in continuing business with the Federal Government, including the Forest Service, would benefit from determining their status as a HUBZONE contractor.

The HUBZONE program is administered by the Small Business Administration who determines the eligibility of contractors in these zones. In order to bid on contracts which are set aside for the HUBZONE, contractors must be HUBZONE certified by SBA. This can be accomplished by contacting SBA directly at their web site below. The site will also provide you with how to apply and maps of the areas that are affected in Alaska and nationwide.

For additional information on HUBZones see FAR Subpart 19.13 or visit the Small Business Administration website at: http://www.sba.gov/hubzone.

We strongly urge contractors to take the initiative to complete this requirement for certification as soon as possible. Once the program is in place this agency cannot accept offers on HUBZONE contracts from contractors who are not certified.

Get on the List

The U.S. Small Business Administration, the Department of Defense, the Office of Management and Budget and the General Services Administration have taken steps to simplify the federal contracting process by creating an integrated database of small businesses that want to do business with the government. The CCR/PRO-Net linkage was part of a comprehensive strategic effort to transfer PRO-Net's functions to the E-Gov Business Partner Network (BPN) in order to simplify government-wide vendor registration. The network incorporates DOD's CCR database. Registration in CCR is now a requirement for federal contracts. On Jan 1, 2004, CCR assumed all of PRO-Net's search capabilities and functions. Small businesses will no longer need to manually register in both PRO-Net and CCR.

Contract Types Used

Typically, we use a firm-fixed-price contract type with a definite quantity of work specified. In some circumstances, we may use hourly rate contracts with a maximum price, not to be exceeded.

Indefinite-quantity contracts are used when we are uncertain of the amount of supplies needed or services to be performed. The contract specifies a minimum quantity that the Government is required to order, an estimated quantity that is the amount the Government believes it will order and uses for evaluation of offers, and a maximum quantity that cannot be exceeded. A fixed contract period is designated.

A requirements contract has no minimum quantity, just an estimated quantity and a maximum quantity. The consideration received in exchange for no minimum quantity is that the Contractor receives all orders for the supply or service under the contract.

When using indefinite-quantity or requirements contracts, the Government writes a task or delivery order to identify the specific work to be performed.

Performance-Based Service Contracting (PBSC) is most appropriate for services that can be defined in terms of objective and measurable performance outcomes (end-result), and services that represent a continuing requirement.

Contractor is paid based on attainment of predetermined contractual goals. The work requirement is described in terms of what is to be accomplished, the quality standards the contractor must meet, how the Government will measure the quality standards, and how contractor's performance will be monitored. This allows contractors to determine how to meet the performance objectives, ensures quality levels are achieved, and payment is only made for services that meet the performance quality levels.

FedBizOpps - Federal-wide entry point to business opportunities:

As you may be aware, the Federal Government has been working to improve its ability to conduct business using electronic commerce and the Internet. Therefore, in an effort to provide for the electronic interchange of information regarding federal procurements, FedBizOpps has been established. This system allows universal user access through a single, Government-wide point of entry on the Internet. This site is in addition to individual Forest web sites.

Beginning October 1, 2001, all federal agencies must post procurements over $25,000 at this site and where practicable, post the actual solicitation package. Procurements between $10,000 and $25,000 may be posted at this site to satisfy the public posting requirements of the Federal Acquisition Regulations, however this requirement may also be met by posting notices in public places such as bulletin boards or on individual Forest websites. In addition to posting notices, upon request by small businesses, contracting offices will still provide a copy of the solicitation and specifications. When electronic commerce is used, these packages may be furnished directly to the electronic address of the small business concern.

An exception would be for service procurements between $25,000 and $100,000 where the Department of Agriculture waiver is applicable (AGAR Advisory Number 37).

FedBizOpps can be accessed through http://www.eps.gov/ which is fairly easy to maneuver through and search for contracting opportunities with all agencies. Contractor's may register to receive emails notifying them of notices for a particular solicitation number, notices from selected agencies and product service classifications, or of all procurement notices. A user guide is available at this site to assist Contractors in its use.

Forest Service opportunities can be located by clicking on “FBO for Vendors”, clicking on “Offices” under USDA Department of Agriculture, then clicking on “Locations” under Forest Service. This will display a listing of offices nationwide. From here, contractors can review available information, by Forest, by the date the notice was posted and by classification code, as well as information on projects that have been awarded.

This system will provide better access for Contractors regarding procurement opportunities with the Forest Service. During the transition period, your local contracting office can provide assistance in accessing this application. It is important that we ensure Contractors are informed, as they are critical to the successful accomplishment of our work.

USDA Forest Service - Tongass National Forest Accessibility Statement
Last Modified: April 26, 2011