Introduction: The US Forest Service is beginning the planning process for a new stewardship project under the current title of Chewelah A to Z Stewardship. This project has a similar framework to the Mill Creek A to Z Stewardship project solicited and awarded in 2013. The Chewelah A to Z Stewardship Project would require the completion of an environmental analysis and presale activities at industry or interested parties expense (not as service items). The timber would be sold at advertised rates (no bid premium). Background: This project looks to expand on the successes of the Mill Creek A to Z project awarded in 2013. This time around, there is interest in leveraging the benefits of a large stewardship project to complete work on adjacent state and private lands while also promoting the community of Chewelah as the gateway to the Colville National Forest. It appears likely that the environmental analysis, treatment area delineations, field work, non-commercial work, and commercial product removal would be included in this contract. More information on this project can be expected in the coming year, including a more detailed project proposal that would provide enough information for our government to government consultation with interested parties. We expect to have a project proposal to send out by summer of 2019. Interested parties can review the archived A to Z solicitation files from 2013 at: https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=875ac238c19beae3a5fd2b2d987ae0c1&tab=core&_cview=1 Interested parties are asked to respond to this RFI with the following information: 1. Describe your company's capacity for completing a project of this size and complexity. 2. Describe how you will obtain a third party to complete an environmental analysis to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). 3. How would your company ensure there is no conflict of interest in performing services as a result of the NEPA decision? 4. Describe how you would finance all NEPA costs and presale activities without any payment from the Government. 5. What risks would prevent you from submitting a proposal for this project? 6. What overall ideas could increase interest in the Chewelah A to Z Stewardship Project? 7. Do you have recommendations on ways to incentivize the overall project or provide opportunities to submit a proposal on specific aspects of implementation? 8. What other contract strategy ideas do you have for a project of this scale? Please respond by July 20, 2018. DATE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO AUGUST 3, 2018. Please do not respond with a cost or technical proposal. Please send all questions regarding this RFI via email to:
[email protected] Please indicate in email subject line - RFI Questions - Chewelah Stewardship Project All questions will be routed to the appropriate individual for response. Please send all responses to this RFI to: USDA, Forest Service Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest - AQM Attention: Chewelah A to Z Stewardship Project 215 Melody Lane Wenatchee, WA 98801 Treatments or activities related to timber, recreation opportunities, and wildlife habitat improvements among others that may be analyzed in the Chewelah project and are shown in table 1 (attachment).