THIS NOTICE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL, REQUEST FOR QUOTE, OR AN INVITATION FOR BID. NO ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS OR DRAWINGS ARE AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. NO CONTRACT OR PURCHASE ORDER WILL BE AWARDED FROM THIS NOTICE. THIS MARKET RESEARCH IS TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE OF INTEREST, CAPABILITIES, AND QUALIFICATIONS OF INTERESTED VENDORS AND WILL BE USED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO SHAPE THE ACQUISITION STRATEGY IN DEVELOPING A COMPETITIVE REQUIREMENT.

The United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Special Projects Operations Center – Southwest Region intends to issue a solicitation for a Standalone contract for a 5-phase Class I records search and Class III cultural resources survey in the Tonto National Forest in Payson, AZ. The Forest Service cannot provide personnel nor equipment to complete the requirements; therefore, the awarded contractor(s) must provide all management, supervision, labor, and supplies. The contractor(s) personnel must have necessary expertise, qualifications, and experience to assure performance of the work in accordance with sound, safe, and efficient management practices. The Contractor must be registered with the ­­­­­­Department of Labor under the Migrant and Seasonal Workers Protection Act. Sources are being sought for entities with a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541370 Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services, with a Small Business Size Standard of $19 Million Dollars. We are requesting information on business sizes and categories listed in Item #2 below. Responses are requested with the following information:

1. Vendor’s name, address, UEI, points of contact with telephone number(s) and e-mail address(es);


2. Business size/classification to include any and all business types and sizes.


3. Description of capability to perform any or all of the following services:

Activity I: A 5-phase Class I records search and Class III cultural resources survey is required in the following areas:

• Phase 1, North Payson 5342 acres


• Phase 2, Star Valley 3466 acres


• Phase 3, Southeast Payson 2768 acres


• Phase 4, South Payson Phase 2 3569 acres.


• Road inventory. 115 acres.

A report summarizing the findings and National Register of Historic Places determinations will be completed for each phase individually. Access to the individual project areas will likely using existing Forest Roads. Some roads will be rugged and will likely require high clearance vehicles at the very least. Having access to a 4-wheel drive vehicle is advisable. The forest would provide keys and/or numbers to locks on gates, when feasible. Potential cultural context includes possible Paleo, Archaic, Central Arizona Tradition, Hohokam, Anchan, Mogollon, Salado, Protohistoric (particularly Apachean), and Historic (e.g. homesteading/ranching, mining, CCC).

Interested vendors can email their capabilities statement to Gus Altschuler at gus.altschuler@usda.gov. Responses must be received by 1700 Mountain Standard Time, Thursday, December 14, 2023.

Questions will NOT be responded to, however, notification that your capabilities statement was received will be sent. This Sources Sought is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for any information provided.