NCFS FP Emergency Services for Wildland Firefighter Crews

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Invitation for Bid #: 10-IFB-2245930689-TT
North Carolina Forest Service - Forest Protection (NCFS-FP)
Emergency Services for Wildland Firefighter Crews
Date of Issue: July 8, 2026
Bid Opening Date: August 14, 2026
At 2:00 PM ET
Procurement Lead:
Tammie Taylor
Procurement Specialist

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
Invitation for Bid #
10-IFB-2245930689-TT
______________________________________________________
For internal State agency processing, including tabulation of bids, provide your company's eVP (Electronic Vendor
Portal) Number. Pursuant to G.S. 132-1.10(b) this identification number shall not be released to the public. This
page will be removed and shredded, or otherwise kept confidential, before the procurement file is made available
for public inspection.
This page shall be filled out and returned with your bid.
Failure to do so may subject your bid to rejection.
___________________________________________________
Vendor Name
______________________________
Vendor eVP#
Note: For a contract to be awarded to you, your company (you) must be a North Carolina registered
Vendor in good standing. You must enter the Vendor number assigned through eVP (Electronic Vendor
Portal). If you do not have a Vendor number, register at https://evp.nc.gov/SignIn
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Bid Number: 10-IFB-2245930689-TT Vendor: ________________________________________
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Refer ALL Inquiries regarding this IFB to the Invitation for Bid No.: 10-IFB-2245930689-TT
procurement lead (Tammie Taylor) through the Bids will be publicly opened: August 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET
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Using Agency: NC Department of Agriculture & Commodity No. and Description: 921016- Fire Services
Consumer Services - Forest Service
Requisition No.: RQ240552
EXECUTION
In compliance with this Invitation for Bid (IFB), and subject to all the conditions herein, the undersigned Vendor offers and agrees to
furnish and deliver any or all items upon which prices are bid, at the prices set opposite each item within the time specified herein.
By executing this bid, the undersigned Vendor understands that false certification is a Class I felony and certifies that:
this bid is submitted competitively and without collusion (G.S. 143-54),
none of its officers, directors, or owners of an unincorporated business entity has been convicted of any violations of Chapter
78A of the General Statutes, the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (G.S. 143-59.2), and
it is not an ineligible Vendor as set forth in G.S. 143-59.1.
Furthermore, by executing this bid, the undersigned certifies to the best of Vendor's knowledge and belief, that:
it and its principals are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible or voluntarily
excluded from covered transactions by any Federal or State department or agency.
As required by G.S. 143-48.5, the undersigned Vendor certifies that it, and each of its Sub-Contractors for any Contract awarded as a
result of this IFB, complies with the requirements of Article 2 of Chapter 64 of the NC General Statutes, including the requirement for
each employer with more than 25 employees in North Carolina to verify the work authorization of its employees through the federal
E-Verify system.
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Bid Number: 10-IFB-2245930689-TT Vendor: ________________________________________
As required by Executive Order 24 (2017), the undersigned Vendor certifies will comply with all Federal and State requirements
concerning fair employment and that it does not and will not discriminate, harass, or retaliate against any employee in connection
with performance of any Contract arising from this solicitation.
G.S. 133-32 and Executive Order 24 (2009) prohibit the offer to, or acceptance by, any State Employee associated with the preparing
plans, specifications, estimates for public contracts; or awarding or administering public contracts; or inspecting or supervising delivery
of the public contract of any gift from anyone with a contract with the State, or from any person seeking to do business with the State.
By execution of this response to the IFB, the undersigned certifies, for Vendor's entire organization and its employees or agents, that
Vendor is not aware that any such gift has been offered, accepted, or promised by any employees of your organization.
By executing this bid, Vendor certifies that it has read and agreed to the INSTRUCTION TO VENDORS and the NORTH CAROLINA
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS incorporated herein. These documents can be accessed from the Ariba Sourcing Tool.
Failure to execute/sign bid prior to submittal may render bid invalid and it MAY BE REJECTED. Late bids shall not be
accepted.
COMPLETE/FORMAL NAME OF VENDOR:
STREET ADDRESS: P.O. BOX: ZIP:
CITY & STATE & ZIP: TELEPHONE NUMBER: TOLL FREE TEL. NO:
PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS ADDRESS IF DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE (SEE INSTRUCTIONS TO VENDORS ITEM #21):
PRINT NAME & TITLE OF PERSON SIGNING ON BEHALF OF VENDOR:
VENDOR'S AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE*: DATE: EMAIL:
VALIDITY PERIOD
Offer shall be valid for at least (120) days from date of bid opening, unless otherwise stated here: ______ days, or if extended by
mutual agreement of the parties in writing. Any withdrawal of this offer shall be made in writing, effective upon receipt by the agency
issuing this IFB.
ACCEPTANCE OF BIDS
If your bid is accepted, all provisions of this IFB, along with the written results of any negotiations, shall constitute the written
agreement between the parties ("Contract"). The NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS are incorporated herein and
shall apply. Depending upon the Goods or Services being offered, other terms and conditions may apply, as mutually agreed.
FOR STATE USE ONLY: Offer accepted and Contract awarded this________ day of __________, 20____, as indicated on
The attached certification, by ____________________________________________________________________.
(Authorized Representative of NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services)
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Bid Number: 10-IFB-2245930689-TT Vendor: ________________________________________
Contents
1.0 PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND ..................................................................................... 5
1.1 CONTRACT TERM ..................................................................................................................... 5
2.0 GENERAL INFORMATION ............................................................................................... 5
2.1 INVITATION FOR BID DOCUMENT ............................................................................................ 5
2.2 E-PROCUREMENT FEE .............................................................................................................. 5
2.3 NOTICE TO VENDORS REGARDING IFB TERMS AND CONDITIONS .............................................. 6
2.4 IFB SCHEDULE .......................................................................................................................... 6
2.5 MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE ........................................................................................ 6
2.6 BID QUESTIONS ....................................................................................................................... 7
2.7 BID SUBMITTAL ....................................................................................................................... 7
2.8 BID CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................ 8
2.9 ALTERNATE BIDS ..................................................................................................................... 9
2.10 DEFINITIONS, ACRONYMS, AND ABBREVIATIONS ..................................................................... 9
3.0 METHOD OF AWARD AND BID EVALUATION PROCESS .......................................... 11
3.1 METHOD OF AWARD ............................................................................................................. 11
3.2 CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROHIBITED COMMUNICATIONS DURING EVALUATION ..................... 11
3.3 BID EVALUATION PROCESS .................................................................................................... 12
3.4 PERFORMANCE OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES ........................................................................ 12
3.5 INTERPRETATION OF TERMS AND PHRASES ............................................................................ 13
4.0 REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................................... 13
4.1 PRICING ................................................................................................................................ 13
4.2 INANCIAL STABILITY .............................................................................................................. 13
4.3 HUB PARTICIPATION .............................................................................................................. 14
4.4 REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................... 14
4.5 BACKGROUND CHECKS .......................................................................................................... 14
4.6 PERSONNEL ........................................................................................................................... 14
4.7 VENDOR'S REPRESENTATIONS ............................................................................................... 14
4.8 AGENCY INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS MODIFICATION ............................................................ 15
4.9 LOBBYING ACTIVITY CERTIFICATION FOR FEDERAL GRANTS .................................................... 15
4.10 SUBCONTRACTORS ................................................................................................................ 15
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Bid Number: 10-IFB-2245930689-TT Vendor: ________________________________________
4.11 SECRETARY OF STATE REGISTRATION ..................................................................................... 15
5.0 SPECIFICATIONS AND SCOPE OF WORK .................................................................. 15
5.1 TASKS/DELIVERABLES/REQUIREMENTS .................................................................................. 16
5.2 DEVIATIONS .......................................................................................................................... 36
6.0 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION ..................................................................................... 36
6.1 CONTRACT MANAGER AND CUSTOMER SERVICE .................................................................... 36
6.2 INVOICES............................................................................................................................... 36
6.3 CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT ............................................................................................... 37
6.4 ACCEPTANCE OF WORK ......................................................................................................... 37
6.5 DISPUTE RESOLUTION ........................................................................................................... 37
6.6 CONTRACT CHANGES ............................................................................................................. 37
6.7 ATTACHMENTS ...................................................................................................................... 37
ATTACHMENT A: PRICING FORM .......................................................................................... 38
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Bid Number: 10-IFB-2245930689-TT Vendor: ________________________________________
1.0 PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Forest Service is seeking for qualified vendors
to provide the services of a commercially available Type 2 Initial Attack (IA) qualified wildland fighter crews for fire
suppression activities, fuel mitigation projects, all-hazard incidents, and severity assignments with North Carolina.
The North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS), a division of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services, is responsible for protecting, managing, and promoting more than 18 million acres of forestland
across the state. The agency provides wildfire prevention and suppression, forest management assistance for
nearly 14 million acres of privately owned forestland, reforestation and seedling production, pest and disease
management, urban forestry support, and public education programs. These services help safeguard lives and
property, sustain healthy and productive forests, support a multi-billion-dollar forest products economy, and
ensure long-term environmental and community benefits for North Carolinians.
The intent of this solicitation is to award an Agency Specific Contract.
1.1 CONTRACT TERM
The Contract shall have an initial term of one (1) year, beginning on the date of final Contract execution (the "Effective
Date").
At the end of the Contract's initial term, the State shall have the option, in its sole discretion, to renew the Contract on
the same terms and conditions for up to two (2) additional one-year terms. The State will give the Vendor written notice
of its intent to exercise each option no later than sixty (60) days before the end of the Contract's then-current term. In
addition to any optional renewal terms, and with the Vendor's concurrence, the State reserves the right to extend the
Contract after the last active term.
Bids shall be submitted in accordance with the terms and conditions of this IFB and any addenda issued hereto.
2.0 GENERAL INFORMATION
2.1 INVITATION FOR BID DOCUMENT
This IFB is comprised of the base IFB document, any attachments, and any addenda released before Contract award,
which are incorporated herein by reference.
2.2 E-PROCUREMENT FEE
ATTENTION: This is an NC eProcurement solicitation facilitated by the Ariba Network. The E-Procurement fee may
apply to this solicitation. See the paragraph entitled ELECTRONIC PROCUREMENT of the North Carolina General Terms
and Conditions.
General information on the E-Procurement Services can be found at: http://eprocurement.nc.gov/.
What is the Ariba Network?
The Ariba Network is a web-based platform that serves as a connection point for buyers and Vendors. Vendors can log in
to the Ariba Network to view purchase orders, respond to electronic requests for quotes, participate in Sourcing Events,
and collaborate with buyers on contract documents.
For training on how to use the Sourcing Tool to view solicitations, submit questions, develop responses, upload
documents, and submit offers to the State, Vendors should go to the following site:
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Bid Number: 10-IFB-2245930689-TT Vendor: ________________________________________
http://eprocurement.nc.gov/training/Vendor-training.
2.3 NOTICE TO VENDORS REGARDING IFB TERMS AND CONDITIONS
It shall be the Vendor's responsibility to read the Instructions to Vendors, the North Carolina General Terms and
Conditions, all relevant exhibits and attachments, and any other components made a part of this IFB and comply with all
requirements and specifications herein. Vendors are also responsible for obtaining and complying with all Addenda and
other changes that may be issued in connection with this IFB.
If Vendors have questions or issues regarding any component of this IFB, those must be submitted as questions in
accordance with the instructions in the BID QUESTIONS Section. If the State determines that any changes will be made
as a result of the questions asked, then such decisions will be communicated in the form of an IFB addendum. The State
may also elect to leave open the possibility for later negotiation of specific provisions of the Contract that have been
addressed during the question-and-answer period, prior to contract award.
Other than through the process of negotiation under 01 NCAC 05B.0503, the State rejects and will not be required to
evaluate or consider any additional or modified terms and conditions submitted with Vendor's bid or otherwise. This
applies to any language appearing in or attached to the document as part of the Vendor's bid that purports to vary any
terms and conditions or Vendors' instructions herein or to render the bid non-binding or subject to further negotiation.
Vendor's bid shall constitute a firm offer that shall be held open for the period required herein ("Validity Period" above).
The State may exercise its discretion to consider Vendor proposed modifications. By execution and delivery of this IFB
Response, the Vendor agrees that any additional or modified terms and conditions, whether submitted purposely or
inadvertently, shall have no force or effect, and will be disregarded unless expressly agreed upon during negotiations
and incorporated by way of a Best and Final Offer (BAFO). Noncompliance with, or any attempt to alter or delete, this
paragraph shall constitute sufficient grounds to reject Vendor's bid as nonresponsive.
2.4 IFB SCHEDULE
The table below shows the intended schedule for this IFB. The State will make every effort to adhere to this schedule.
Event Responsibility Date and Time
Issue IFB State 7/8/2026
Mandatory Pre-Bid Conference State 7/22/2026 at 1:00 PM ET
Submit Written Questions Vendor 7/29/2026 by 10:00 AM ET
Provide Response to Questions State 8/5/2026
Submit Bids Vendor 8/14/2026 by 2:00 PM ET
Contract Award State TBD
2.5 MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE
Date: 07/22/2026
Time: 1:00 PM Eastern Time
Location: NC Forest Service Regional Office
14 Gaston Mountain Road
Asheville, NC 28806
Contact #: 919-302-8988-cell #, 828-665-8688-office #, Jason.guidry@ncagr.gov
Instructions: It shall be MANDATORY that a representative from each Vendor be present for a pre-bid conference.
Attendees must arrive promptly. All attendees must sign in upon arrival and clearly indicate each prospective Vendor
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Bid Number: 10-IFB-2245930689-TT Vendor: ________________________________________
represented on the sign in sheet. LATE ARRIVALS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO SIGN IN OR PARTICIPATE IN THE PRE-BID
CONFERENCE, NOR SHALL THEIR BID BE CONSIDERED. Once the sign-in process is complete, all other persons wishing to
attend may do so to the extent that space and circumstances allow.
FAILURE TO ATTEND THE MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE SHALL RESULT IN VENDOR'S BID BEING DEEMED NON-
RESPONSIVE AND NOT CONSIDERED FOR AWARD.
The purpose of this conference is for all prospective Vendors to apprise themselves of the conditions and requirements
which will affect the performance of the work called for by this IFB. Vendors must stay for the duration of the conference.
No allowances will be made for unreported conditions that a prudent Vendor would recognize as affecting the work
called for or implied by this IFB.
Vendors are cautioned that any information released to attendees during the conference, other than that involving the
physical aspects of the facility referenced above, and which conflicts with, supersedes, or adds to requirements in this
IFB, must be confirmed by written addendum before it can be considered to be a part of this IFB and any resulting
contract.
2.6 BID QUESTIONS
Upon review of the IFB documents, Vendors may have questions to clarify or interpret the IFB in order to submit the best
bid possible. To accommodate the Bid Questions process, Vendors shall submit any such questions by the "Submit
Written Questions" date and time provided in the IFB SCHEDULE Section above, unless modified by Addendum.
Questions related to the content of the solicitation, or the procurement process should be directed to the person on the
title page of this document via the Sourcing Tool's message board by the date and time specified in the IFB SCHEDULE
Section of this IFB. Vendors will enter "IFB # 10-IFB-2245930689-TT - Questions" as the subject of the message. Question
submittals should include a reference to the applicable IFB section. This is the only manner in which questions will be
received.
Questions or issues related to using the Sourcing Tool itself can be directed to the North Carolina eProcurement Help
Desk at 888-211-7440, Option 2. Help Desk representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM ET to
5:00 PM ET.
Questions received prior to the submission deadline date, the State's response, and any additional terms deemed
necessary by the State will be posted in the Sourcing Tool in the form of an addendum and shall become an Addendum
to this IFB. No information, instruction or advice provided orally or informally by any State personnel, whether made in
response to a question or otherwise in connection with this IFB, shall be considered authoritative or binding. Vendors
shall rely only on written material contained in the IFB and an addendum to this IFB.
2.7 BID SUBMITTAL
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is an absolute requirement. Late bids, regardless of cause, will not be opened or considered,
and will be automatically disqualified from further consideration. Vendor shall bear the sole risk of late submission due
to unintended or unanticipated delay. It is the Vendor's sole responsibility to ensure its bid has been received as
described in this IFB by the specified time and date of opening. Failure to submit a bid in strict accordance with
instructions provided shall constitute sufficient cause to reject a Vendor's bids(s). Solicitation responses are subject to
Sealed Bidding requirements.
Vendor's bids for this procurement must be submitted through the Sourcing Tool. For training on how to use the Sourcing
Tool to view solicitations, submit questions, develop responses, upload documents, and submit offers to the State,
Vendors should go to the following site: https://eprocurement.nc.gov/training/vendor-training
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Bid Number: 10-IFB-2245930689-TT Vendor: ________________________________________
Questions or issues related to using the Sourcing Tool itself can be directed to the North Carolina eProcurement Help
Desk at 888-211-7440, Option 2. Help Desk representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM EST to
5:00 PM EST.
Tips for Using the Sourcing Tool
1. Vendors should review available training and confirm that they are able to access the Sourcing Event, enter
responses, and upload files well in advance of the date and time response are due to allow sufficient time to
seek assistance from the North Carolina eProcurement Help Desk.
2. Vendors may submit their responses early to make sure there are no issues, and then submit a revised response
any time prior to the response due date and time. The State will only review the most recent response.
3. Vendors should respond to all relevant sections of the Sourcing Event. Certain questions or items are required
in order to submit a response and are denoted with an asterisk. The Sourcing Tool will not allow a response to
be submitted unless all required items are completed. The Sourcing Tool will provide error messages to help
identify any required information that is missing when response is submitted.
4. Simply saving your response in the Sourcing Tool is not the same as submitting your response to the State.
Vendors should make sure they complete the submission process and receive a message that their response
was successfully submitted.
5. Only Bids submitted through the Content Section of the Ariba Sourcing Event will be considered. Bids
submitted through the Message Board will not be accepted or considered for award.
If confidential and proprietary information is included in the bid, also submit one (1) signed, REDACTED copy of the
bid. Such information may include trade secrets defined by N.C. Gen. Stat. 66-152 and other information exempted
from the Public Records Act pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 132- 1.2. Vendor may designate information, Products,
Services, or appropriate portions of its response as confidential, consistent with and to the extent permitted under
the statutes and rules set forth above. By so redacting any page, or portion of a page, the Vendor warrants that it
has formed a good faith opinion, having received such necessary or proper review by counsel and other
knowledgeable advisors, that the portions determined to be confidential and proprietary and redacted as such, meet
the requirements of the Rules and Statutes set forth above. However, under no circumstances shall price information
be designated as confidential.
If the Vendor does not provide a redacted version of the bid with its bid submission, the Department may release
an unredacted version if a record request is received.
2.8 BID CONTENTS
Vendors shall provide responses to all questions and complete all attachments for this IFB that require the Vendor to
provide information and upload them to the Sourcing Event in the Sourcing Tool. Vendor may not be able to submit its
response in the Sourcing Tool unless all required items are addressed. Vendors shall provide authorized signatures where
requested. Failure to provide all required items, or Vendor's submission of incomplete items, may result in the State
rejecting Vendor's bid, in the State's sole discretion.
Vendors shall upload the following items and attachments in the Sourcing Tool:
a) Completed and signed version of all EXECUTION PAGES, along with the body of the IFB.
b) Signed receipt pages of any addenda released in conjunction with this IFB, if required to be returned.
c) Completed version of ATTACHMENT A: PRICING FORM
d) Completed and signed version of ATTACHMENT D: HUB SUPPLEMENTAL VENDOR INFORMATION
e) Completed and signed version of ATTACHMENT E: CUSTOMER REFERENCE FORM
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