Corral G-Z Stewardship IRSC, Region 6, Fremont-Winema National Forest, Bly Ranger District, Bly , Oregon
AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF.FOREST SERVICE.USDA-FS, STEWARDSHIP CONTRACTING BRANCH · Response deadline: Tue, 17 Nov 2026
What the government is buying
The USDA Forest Service is seeking a contractor for stewardship work on the Fremont-Winema National Forest in southern Oregon. This is a "stewardship contract"—a type of Forest Service agreement that bundles land management services with the exchange of goods (typically timber or other forest products) to achieve ecological restoration goals. Stewardship contracts are widely used to thin overstocked forests, reduce wildfire risk, improve wildlife habitat, and restore watershed function while offsetting some costs through the sale of removed materials.
The specific work location is the Bly Ranger District near Bly, Oregon, in Klamath County. The "Corral G-Z" designation refers to a specific project area or planning unit within the district. Stewardship contracts in this region commonly involve commercial thinning, hazardous fuels reduction, and related reforestation or site preparation activities. The contractor would perform the work under Forest Service supervision with requirements for sustainable practices and often local economic benefit. See the solicitation for the full scope, acreage targets, and deliverables.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | USDA Forest Service, Stewardship Contracting Branch |
| Notice type | Combined Synopsis/Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | 12363N26Q4181 |
| NAICS | 113310 |
| Set-aside | Small Business Set Aside – Total |
| Response deadline | November 16, 2026, 5:00 PM Pacific Time |
| Place of performance | Bly, OR |
Who can bid
This opportunity is reserved for small businesses only under a total small business set-aside. Your firm must meet the size standard for NAICS 113310 (Timber Tract Operations), which uses the Small Business Administration's employee-based threshold. You must be registered in SAM.gov, have an active UEI, and have any required Forest Service credentials for logging and forestry operations.
Given the location in rural southern Oregon, the Forest Service often prioritizes contractors with local knowledge, existing equipment presence, and experience with Pacific Northwest forest conditions. However, any qualified small business nationwide may bid. Joint ventures and mentor-protégé arrangements are permitted if structured to meet set-aside requirements.
How to put together a competitive bid
Demonstrate stewardship-specific experience. Forest Service stewardship contracts differ from standard timber sales. Highlight past performance on integrated resource contracts where you performed treatments to achieve ecological outcomes, not just volume removal. Reference any agreements with similar prescription requirements (leave-tree standards, snag retention, riparian buffers).
Address the goods-for-services mechanism. Be prepared to show how your bid accounts for the value of forest products removed against the cost of restoration services. The Forest Service may evaluate whether you propose reasonable product valuations and cost submissions. See the solicitation for the specific payment structure.
Prove operational readiness. The Bly Ranger District is remote with limited contractor services. Detail your equipment fleet, crew availability, and logistics for operating in steep, dry forest environments. Seasonal weather windows in the Fremont-Winema are constrained; show you can complete work within likely operating periods.
Small business advantage: Emphasize local hiring, procurement from small businesses, and any Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) or rural economic benefits if applicable. The Forest Service's stewardship program explicitly weighs community benefit.
Past performance documentation. Obtain CPARS ratings or contact references from prior Forest Service, BLM, or state forestry contracts. Poor ratings in safety, environmental compliance, or contract completion are typically disqualifying.
Next steps
Read the full solicitation package on SAM.gov using solicitation number 12363N26Q4181. The combined synopsis/solicitation format means the notice may contain sufficient information to submit a bid directly, or it may direct you to additional documents. Confirm all amendments.
Critical deadline: Responses are due November 16, 2026, by 5:00 PM Pacific Time—approximately 12 days from the November 4 posting date. This is a compressed timeline typical of repeat stewardship opportunities or streamlined procurements. Begin SAM.gov registration verification immediately if not current.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →