Cowboy Hat Stewardship IRSC - Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

This Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for market research and planning purposes. It does not constitute a solicitation or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. The Government will not reimburse accompanying costs.

Any answers or attachments provided are based upon the best information available at the time of the site visit and are subject to change.

1. Background & Purpose

USDA Forest Service seeks capability statements from qualified vendors able to conduct forest thinning and vegetation treatments in areas burned by the Caldor Fire. The goals of the project are to reduce hazardous fuels and create conditions appropriate for reestablishing forested landscapes. Stewardship Authority shall be utilized to award an Integrated Resource Service Contract. In accordance with the approved NEPA decision, Cut-to-Length harvesting is the required logging mechanism. CTL typically consists of a harvester cutting and processing trees at the stump and a forwarder transporting the material to a designated landing location over a slash mat. The purpose of this SS/RFI is to gather information on vendor capabilities, invite prospective vendors to an organized site visit on 11/3/2026 before snow limits access, and provide draft documents to so that vendors can assess whether the opportunity is one to follow and potentially quote.

2. Anticipated Scope of Work

The project objectives shall be met by performing the following service work.

1. Cut, process, and forward to landings or pile included biomass in 3 units across 205 acres.


2. Within these units, cut standing dead conifer trees and forward to landings or pile. Treat fuels by mechanically masticating existing dead and down material, project-generated slash and brush. Remove slash and large dead and down to landings when necessary to meet the fuels treatment specification.


3. Remove biomass and cull logs from landings to off-Forest disposal sites.


4. Construct temporary road to facilitate thinning treatment and decommission the roads prior to demobilization.


5. Perform road maintenance and erosion control on roads used for biomass removal or otherwise damaged by Contractor’s operations.


6. Perform hand thinning and piling if awarded.

3. Place of Performance

The project is located on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit in portions of Township 11N Range 18E Section 5, and Township 12N Range 18E Sections 32 and 33; Mount Diablo Meridian, approximately 0.5 miles southeast of the intersection of California Highway 89 and US Highway 50.

4. Period of Performance

Anticipated start date: Early Summer 2027. Performance deadline: 9/15/2027. This deadline is linked to grant funding expiration.

5. Site Visit

An organized site visit will occur on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. local time. Interested parties will meet in South Lake Tahoe, CA at the east end of Oneidas Street at the Forest Service Gate: 38°51'53.0"N 119°59'40.7"W. This location is south of Lake Tahoe Airport off of Pioneer Trail Road. Interested parties should email Karen Ruklic at karen.ruklic@usda.gov by 1:00 p.m. PT on November 2, 2026, if they plan to attend.

6. Requested Capability Statement Content

• Company information (UEI, address, email, POC, business size and socio-economic status).


• Relevant experience focused on thinning via Cut-to-Length logging system and hazardous fuel reduction.


• Key personnel and crew qualifications.


• Equipment lists and mobilization capabilities.


• Past performance references.

7. Response Instructions & Due Date

Any information submitted by vendors to this this SS/RFI is voluntary. Responses should be submitted electronically to Karen Ruklic at karen.ruklic@usda.gov. All responses are due no later than Monday, November 2, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. PT.