Rivercane Site Suitability Assessment for Post-Hurricane Helene Recovery

Notice # 1170664 This is a special notice prepared in accordance with FAR 5.2 “Synopsis of Proposed Contract Actions”. There is no solicitation available at this time. Requests for a solicitation will receive no response. This proposed contract action is published to notify potential sources that the USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, of Asheville, NC intends to award a sole source firm-fixed price contract to Arundinaria Gigantea Consulting, LLC (UIE: W4YLZKT721G5). Closing date of Notice: August 3, 2026, at 1100 AM (EST). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541690 The size standard is $19M. The anticipated period of performance is from August 15, 2026, through September 30, 2028 Estivated Contract Value: $67,455.00 The intent of this project is to focus on rivercane (Arundinaria gigantea - a woody bamboo relative), to assess 1) its contribution to streambank stability, 2) persistence through historical high-water events, and 3) its potential as a restoration tool. The project assesses damage to riparian areas and site suitability for restoration efforts. This contract addresses two assessment objectives: 1) to determine if presence or absence of rivercane on the landscape mitigated Helene-related negative impacts on streambank stability and biological productivity and 2) to describe physical landscape characteristics of ideal restoration sites. This will include the following activities: This Statement of Work defines the primary tasks required for Goal One: To determine if presence or absence of rivercane mitigated bank erosion and damage, the contractor will examine impacts at locations where rivercane was present and absent along geomorphically similar reaches of the same stream in Helene-impacted watersheds of Western North Carolina. Goal Two: The contractor will assess physical characteristics of a minimum of 10 existing rivercane sites using existing publicly available location datasets and determine common characteristics (e.g. geomorphic position, stream energy, watershed characteristics, stream sinuosity, distance to stream, flow accumulation) and make recommendations for restoration sites. The Contractor shall coordinate all work with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and Point of Contact (POC). Timely submission of deliverables is essential to successfully completing this requirement per the Statement of Work. The statutory authority for this non-competitive acquisition is FAR 13.106-1 (b)(1)(i) - Soliciting from a single sole source for purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold. Interested people may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct competitive procurement. Any information submitted by respondents to this synopsis is strictly voluntary. The Government will not pay for any information that is submitted by respondents to this notice of proposed contract action. Anticipate DATE to post in SAM.gov: July 25, 2026. Due Date will close: August 3, 2026. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is NAICS 541690 Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services. The size standard is $19M. The anticipated start date is August 15, 2026. Contractors who believe they possess the expertise and experience shall respond in writing to Heather Harkley electronically via email to: heather.harkley@usda.gov and Nestor Rivera Gonzalez electronically via email to: nestor.riveragonzalez@usda.gov. Responses must be received no later than August 3, 2026, 11:00 AM EST. All documentation shall become property of the Government. This synopsis neither constitutes a Request for Quote, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR RESPONSES TO THIS SPECIAL NOTICE: Business Name, Point of Contact Name, Email Address, Phone Number CAGE Code and SAM UEI In the event that the organization is a small business, state the category of small business, such as 8(a), HUBZone, Veteran Owned Small Business, Woman Owned Small Business, or SDVOSB Statement of Capability: Discuss skills, knowledge, and experience required to support this requirement. Resumes may be submitted.