Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
K - 4,000-Gallon Water Tender Unit
Department of Agriculture · Forest Service
More open Forest Service contracts
AI summaryThe U.S. Forest Service (contracting office USDA-FS CSA Northwest 3) wants one 4,000-gallon water tender tank bought and installed on a Forest Service 2021 Kenworth T880 truck for the Deschutes National Forest. Only small businesses may bid. SAM.gov's response due date is November 9, 2026, 3:00 PM Pacific, but the solicitation text says quotes are due September 29, 2026 (passed), so confirm the date with the contracting officer. More in the summary
A newer version of this notice was posted Oct 20, 2026. It moves the due date from Sep 29, 2026 to Nov 9, 2026, which is the date shown on this page. See the latest version.
AI summary Beta
Summary of another version of this notice: check what changed on SAM.gov. This summary may miss requirements: 5 of 12 attachments weren't read (1240BE26Q0119 -Picture 001.jpg, 1240BE26Q0119 -Picture 002.jpg and 3 more). Check the attachments on SAM.gov.
The U.S. Forest Service (contracting office USDA-FS CSA Northwest 3) wants one 4,000-gallon water tender tank bought and installed on a Forest Service 2021 Kenworth T880 truck for the Deschutes National Forest. Only small businesses may bid. SAM.gov's response due date is November 9, 2026, 3:00 PM Pacific, but the solicitation text says quotes are due September 29, 2026 (passed), so confirm the date with the contracting officer.
Who can bid (4)
- Small business status: the buy is a total small business set-aside under NAICS 336212 (size standard 1,000 employees as the document states), so only small businesses can bid
- Active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM)
- Buy American: the end product must be a domestic end product, or be listed as a foreign end product on the certificate
Show all 4Show fewer
- Certify compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws (the Department of Agriculture's DEI certification) by submitting a quote
How to submit: Email to matthew.stephens@usda.gov. What to include is under Full summary below. Check the solicitation's instructions on SAM.gov.
Things to watch (9)
From the version posted Oct 20, 2026.
- Serious: Total small business set-aside. Only small businesses can bid; the document gives a 1,000-employee size standard for NAICS 336212.
- Serious: Exact match to a listed tank and parts. The Forest Service wants an exact match of the listed features (a named tank model, pump and valves) and parts interchangeable with its existing tank, which can rule out substitutes.
- Worth checking: Completion time differs between documents. The statement of objectives gives 180 days, the solicitation gives 182 calendar days after award, and the amendment forms list November 11, 2026 to March 12, 2027; ask which governs.
Show all 9Show fewer
- Worth checking: Amendment 001 added items may not carry forward. Amendment 001 added four items (rear dump valve, drafting capabilities, gravity bar, classic tank design), but the Amendment 002 list doesn't show them; ask whether they still apply.
- Worth checking: Quick-change swap must be demonstrated. One operator must swap the tank onto the truck in 30 minutes or less, and the winning vendor must demonstrate it before payment, so the design must work with the truck's existing quick-change system.
- Worth checking: Government truck and long-haul transport costs. The work is done at your shop on a Government truck you must safeguard; beyond 200 miles you pay to move it both ways, which adds cost to your price.
- Minor: Warranty terms differ. The statement of objectives asks for a 1-year warranty on parts, labor and all functions, while the solicitation lists a 5-year tank warranty and a 1-year plumbing warranty.
- Minor: Past performance record required. Past performance information is required for the offeror and for every subcontractor or partner, limited to the last 3 years.
- Minor: Site visit strongly encouraged. A site visit is available by appointment only and is strongly encouraged, not required; the documents give no appointment date or contact.
Read from the notice and 7 attachments. 5 of 12 not read. Show which files.
- 1240BE26Q0119- SOO.docx (read)
- Amendment 002 Part 12 Combined Synopsis_Solicitation_1240BE26Q0119 TL EDITs (1).pdf (read)
- Part 12 Combined Synopsis_Solicitation_1240BE26Q0119.pdf (read)
- 1240BE26Q0119 Amendment 002.pdf (read)
- Amendment 001- 1240BE26Q0119 - Salient Characteristics.docx (read)
- 1240BE26Q0119 Amendment 001.pdf (read)
- Amendment 002 Salient Characteristics.pdf (read)
- 1240BE26Q0119 -Picture 001.jpg: not read (the AI doesn't read this file type yet): open it on SAM.gov
- 1240BE26Q0119 -Picture 002.jpg: not read (the AI doesn't read this file type yet): open it on SAM.gov
- 1240BE26Q0119 -Picture 003.jpg: not read (the AI doesn't read this file type yet): open it on SAM.gov
- 1240BE26Q0119 -Picture 004.jpg: not read (the AI doesn't read this file type yet): open it on SAM.gov
- 1240BE26Q0119 -Picture 005.jpg: not read (the AI doesn't read this file type yet): open it on SAM.gov
Full summary
What they want
- Supply and install one 4,000-gallon water tender unit (QTY ONE EACH) on the Government-furnished 2021 Kenworth T880, VIN 1NKZX4EX8MJ460912
- Match the listed salient characteristics (the required features list) exactly, including a 6V-15 Vision Tank (15 feet long, 102 inches wide, 66 inches high) and a 4x3 M3ZRMS cast iron pump at 75 gallons per minute at 65 PSI
- Provide a complete, working system: tank, mounting, pump, hydraulics, plumbing, spray system, controls and lighting, ready for service with no further changes
- Make it work with the truck's quick-change system, so one operator can swap between tank, dump bed and fifth-wheel hitch (the plate that couples a trailer) in 30 minutes or less
- Safeguard the Government's truck and return it; pay for transport both ways if your shop is more than 200 road miles from the pickup point
- Show the pump, spray valves, controls, hydraulics, fill system and the quick-change swap at Government inspection, and fix any problems before final acceptance
- Hand over warranties, operating manuals, maintenance and parts information at acceptance; the tank needs a standard 5-year limited warranty and the plumbing a 1-year warranty
- Finish all work, including returning the truck, within 182 calendar days after award
- Contract type
- Firm-fixed-price (FFP): one set price, whatever the work ends up costing; one award for CLIN 0001 (contract line item number: one priced line of the order)
- Period of performance
- 182 calendar days after award (the statement of objectives says 180 days); the amendment forms list November 11, 2026 to March 12, 2027
- Place of performance
- The contractor's shop or another Government-approved contractor facility; SAM.gov lists Bend, OR, USA
- Estimated value
- Not stated
- How they'll choose
- Quotes are checked for technical acceptability; award goes to the responsible offeror whose quote meets the requirements, is most advantageous to the Government and has a fair and reasonable price. Award is planned without discussions.
- Offers due
- November 9, 2026, 3:00 PM Pacific
- How to submit
- Email to matthew.stephens@usda.gov
What they'll judge offers on
- Technical acceptability: (a) compliance with the salient characteristics, (b) ability to finish in 182 calendar days, (c) the quick-change configuration, (d) showing the 30-minute changeover, (e) explanation of any exceptions, substitutions or alternatives
- Past performance: recent, relevant work by the offeror and any subcontractors or partners, going back no more than 3 years; no record is rated unknown, not favorable or unfavorable
- Price: one firm-fixed price for CLIN 0001, covering materials, labor, installation, testing, transport when needed and all other costs
What to include when you submit
- Include completed pricing for CLIN 0001, your vendor name and your Unique Entity ID (UEI)
- Name the manufacturer and model of the water tender unit you propose
- Include technical documentation showing you meet each salient characteristic, plus your responses to the listed criteria
- Confirm you can finish the work within 182 calendar days
- List any exceptions or deviations from the solicitation, and include transportation costs if your shop is more than 200 road miles away
- Hold your prices firm for 90 calendar days from the date set for receipt of quotes
- Past performance: for each project give the contract number, project title, total contract value, period of performance, location, your role (prime or subcontractor) and at least one reference name, phone and email; cover subcontractors and partners too, and go back no more than 3 years
- Complete the Buy American certificate (list any foreign end products) and the solicitation's other representations, and acknowledge Amendments 001 and 002
Not in the notice text
- Which response due date applies: SAM.gov says November 9, 2026, 3:00 PM Pacific, and the solicitation text says September 29, 2026, 3:00 PM Pacific
- Which completion period applies: 182 calendar days, 180 days, or the November 11, 2026 to March 12, 2027 dates on the amendment forms
- Whether the four items Amendment 001 added (rear dump valve, drafting capabilities, gravity bar, classic tank design) still apply; Amendment 002 says its changes are highlighted yellow, so check the salient characteristics file on SAM.gov
- How past performance is weighed against technical acceptability and price is not stated
- How to make a site visit appointment is not stated
- Pictures 001-005 are attached but not read
Eligibility and how to respond
- Set aside for small businesses: only a business that counts as small under this notice's NAICS code can bid as the prime contractor. More open small business set-asides under NAICS 336212
- How to submit, from the AI summary: Email to matthew.stephens@usda.gov. Check it in the notice before you send anything.
- Service contracts usually set minimum pay rates (the Service Contract Act). Price the labor with the SCA price calculator.
Notice details
- Posted
- Sep 25, 2026
- Notice type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- Office
- USDA-FS, CSA Northwest 3, Portland, OR
- Product/service code
- K023 · Modification of Equipment – Ground Effect Vehicles, Motor Vehicles, Trailers, and Cycles
- Business type
- Aircraft, ship & vehicle parts (FedReady's grouping, from NAICS 336212)
- Versions
5 versions have been posted, newest first.
- Oct 20, 2026 · Amendment 0004Due Nov 9, 2026 (changed)
- Oct 20, 2026 · Amendment 0003Due Nov 20, 2026 (changed)
- Sep 25, 2026 · Amendment 0002 (this version)Due Sep 29, 2026
- Sep 23, 2026 · Amendment 0001Due Sep 29, 2026
- Sep 21, 2026 · Combined Synopsis/SolicitationDue Sep 29, 2026
- Attachments
Past awards and competition
Who has won work like this before, the likely incumbent, and what similar contracts paid, from USAspending.gov.
Before you respond
- How to respond to a solicitation (8 steps)
- How to read a government solicitation
- How to price a government contract
- Set-aside contracts explained
Terms on this notice: Solicitation, Set-aside
Full notice text from SAM.gov
The purpose of this acquisition is to purchase and install one 4,000-gallon water tender unit on the existing Forest Service truck chassis identified below: Vehicle: 2021 Kenworth T880 VIN: 1NKZX4EX8MJ460912 The existing vehicle has been configured for quick-change operation and can be configured with a dump bed, fifth-wheel hitch, or water tender unit. The completed water tender system shall be compatible with the existing quick-change configuration. The contractor shall provide a complete and operational system, including the tank, mounting system, pump, hydraulic system, plumbing, spray system, controls, lighting, and all other components necessary to meet the requirements of this solicitation. Amendment 002 FS seeks an exact match of the listed salient characteristics. Standardization of the equipment is of high importance in this case since this equipment is used for both road maintenance and fire support operations. The customer seeks interoperability of the used accessory parts. Must be interchangeable with the existing water tank Site Visit is available and highly recommended by appointment only
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