Large Vegetation Mulching Services

This is a COMBINED SYNOPSIS / SOLICITATION for commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 12, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation issued as Request for Proposal (RFP) 127K1118R0002. FAR clauses and provisions enclosed within this RFP are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-97 (01/2018) and are available in full text through Internet access at http://www.acquisition.gov/far. The Kisatchie National Forest has a requirement to obtain large vegetation mulching services (to include trees up to nine inches in diameter) as further detailed in the Schedule of Items and Performance Work Statement. This solicitation will result in Performance Based, Indefinite Delivery - Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Multiple Award Task Order Contracts (MATOC) on the basis of technical capability/capacity, past performance, and price as best meets the needs of the Government. These contracts will have a base period, which runs through May 31, 2019, and four option years, which if exercised could extend contract performance through May 31, 2023. There is no guarantee that any options will be exercised by the Government. The USDA Forest Service encourages the participation of small, disadvantaged, service disabled veteran, and women owned business enterprises. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 115310 and the small business size standard is $7.5 million. The proposed contract is 100% set-aside for small business concerns. All responsible, qualified small businesses may submit an offer which will be considered by the Forest Service. Proposals are due on April 16, 2018 at 2:00 PM Central Time and shall be delivered electronically by the specified time to jtobin@fs.fed.us or delivered to him at the USFS, 100 Reserve Street, Hot Springs, AR 71901. Facsimile proposals will not be accepted. Offers shall be submitted on the SF 1449 and conform to the requirements noted in the solicitation documents and particularly the instructions on page 24 therein. Questions about this solicitation should be e-mailed to the address listed above. All Offerors shall be registered at the System for Award Management (www.sam.gov) to be eligible for award. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS A number of questions have recently been received. Those questions and the Government's responses are attached. None should materially affect your proposal / bid preparation. The response due date remains unchanged.