It’s that time of year again – time to get ready for the upcoming fire season. Be prepared ahead of time:
- Verify that your equipment or services are being solicitated and you can comply with requirements.
- Complete or update your SAM registration – your account must be active.
- Set up your VIPR account and verify your identity during registration.
- Conduct market research on the categories you want to bid on.
- Attend Vendor engagement sessions – more information below.
- Need help – register for our services here.
Every year the US Forest Service opens different equipment categories for new solicitations. This occurs on a rotating basis. Once you’re on a new I-BPA based on one of these solicitations, you’re on the list for five years, unless you get removed for some reason. VIPR used to operate on a three-year schedule but moved to five years in 2023. Open solicitations (or new) for 2025 will be the following:
- GIS Unit
- Heavy Equipment with Water
- Heavy Equipment Task Force (HETF)
- Refrigerated Trailer
- Water Handling Equipment
- Weed Washing Unit
If you currently have an IBPA (VIPR) agreement, then you can change the details (adjust price, replace equipment, change dispatch center) of your agreement during the “rollover modification” Most of which are open now in the following categories:
- Ambulance & EMT Services
- Bus, Crew Carrier
- Clerical Support Unit
- Mobile Communications Unit
- Helicopter Operations Support Unit
- Mobile Laundry
- Chipper
- Faller Module (single and module)
- Heavy Equipment
- Incident Base Camp
- Mechanic with Service Truck
- Chainsaw Repair
- Mobile Sleeper Unit
- Potable & Gray Water Truck, Handwashing Station (trailer mounted)
- Vehicle with Driver
The Forest Service is doing a yearly “onboarding” process outside of their standard five-year rotations. This means that if you missed the standard deadline for any of the above equipment types in previous years, you are now able to bid on a shorter-term VIPR I-BPA this year.
The US Forest Service will be hosting virtual and potentially in person vendor engagement sessions for those interested in the VIPR I-BPA Program. The Forest Service Equipment & Service Branch will go over the current rollover modifications, open solicitations, and the on-boarding process. You will be able to ask specific questions in the Q&A portion. The dates of the sessions are undetermined at this time. Please check the Region 6 website or the WA APEX Events Calendar as they will be updated once the dates are announced.
If you have any questions regarding VIPR or any other government contracting questions, please contact your APEX Accelerator Advisor.
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