Buck Helene Fuels Reduction IRSC

The U.S. Forest Service, through the USDA-FS Stewardship Contracting Branch, has issued a sources sought notice under solicitation number 12363N26R4009 to identify qualified vendors for hazardous fuels reduction following Hurricane Helene. This requirement is classified under NAICS 113310 Logging and PSC F099 Natural Resources/Conservation- Other, with no set-aside designated. The project addresses urgent needs within the Wildland Urban Interface of Western North Carolina, with a primary place of performance in Asheville, North Carolina. The anticipated period of performance begins in late spring or early summer 2026 and is estimated to last no more than two operational seasons depending on weather and site access.

The scope of work involves manual felling and preparing damaged timber and small roundwood for helicopter yarding across steep and rugged terrain. Contractors will manage the helicopter yarding and ground transportation of more than 300,000 tons of timber, which includes planning and preparing helicopter landings and processing yards. Further requirements include maintaining tractor-trailer accessibility for timber loading, restoring deck areas after operations, and performing aerial seeding of landslides. Capability statements must be submitted by March 30, 2026, to Matt Daigle, the Stewardship Acquisition Program Support Officer. One attachment, a list of RFI respondents, was added to the notice on April 2, 2026.