38--CTL, Shaw AFB Wildland Fire Branch, SC

NOTICE OF INTENT (NOI)
This is not a request for quotes.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) hereby submits a Notice of Intent (NOI) to inform industry contractors of the Government¿s intent to award a sole source, firm-fixed priced Task Order to Caterpillar Inc off of the USFWS Heavy Equipment IDIQ for the Compact Track Loader w/ Forestry attachments (CAT 275XE) for Shaw AFB Wildland Fire Branch, Wedgefield, SC per the Supply Requirement specifications.

This contract action is for commercial services under NAICS code 333120, Construction Machinery Manufacturing for which the agency intends to award with only one source under Authority, FAR 13.501(a)b), Simplified Acquisition procedures.

Caterpillar (CAT 275XE) has the preferred hydraulic cooler, operator controls, and service and support of any manufacturer. Down time of equipment repairs and waiting on parts can stop or slow down any required work or fire operations that the Compact Track Loader will be used on.
There are already multiple of these in use within the Wildland Fire Branch and this will allow the other modules to move the compact track loader to new areas without having to transport the specialized attachments for project work. Training, servicing the equipment, and operation of the equipment will become better across all the modules with the standardization of the machines, and their attachments will allow safer operation and fewer on site delays to complete work. With these units being used on Air Force bases for their fuels management and control burns, vendors that can travel onto the bases and service and support this equipment is vital.

FWS anticipates work to begin on the delivery of the supply after receipt of the delivery/ purchase order.

This announcement constitutes the only notice. This is not a request for competitive quotes. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, which must demonstrate clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government and would not be cost or time prohibitive. Responses received from this solicitation will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the agency not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the agency.

Questions or comments to this NOI should be directed to Contracting Specialist, Fred Riley at fred_riley@ios.doi.gov no later than 2:00pm, EDT, Wednesday 8/05/2026. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted. Please indicate in the subject of your email: Notice of Intent Capability Statement Submission - DOIFFBO260133