Welcome to Northern California Acquisitions Service Area

The start of a new year is always a good time to check your SAM account and ensure it is active and up to date. Remember to contact your local contracting office and let them know if you are making any changes to your financial information, so that they can submit a vendor update request to the National Finance Center.

Contracting Overview

What major products and services does the Forest Service purchase from vendors and contractors?

• Natural resource services and conservation services
• Construction of structures and facilities
• Maintenance, repair or alteration of real property (incl. restoration of roads and bridges)
• Lease or rental of facilities
• Janitorial services
• Transportation and charter services
• Professional, management and administrative support services
• Lease or rental of equipment
• Special studies and analyses
• A&E services
• Fire and aviation support services and equipment
• Information technology

Getting ready to do business with the Forest Service…

Vendors must register with 'System for Award Management'

You must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) to be awarded a government contract. Vendors must renew/update their data annually to keep their SAM registration active. Detailed information about SAM is available at www.sam.gov .

Finding Contracting Opportunities

Once SAM registration has been completed, vendors may use SAM.gov Contracting Opportunities, to find potential projects open for bid. This site is used Federal Government-wide for any projects being solicited that are expected to exceed $25,000. Click the “Advanced Search” link next to “Find Opportunities”. Along with a keyword search, a vendor can use the left-hand column to search for “Forest Service” under Federal Organizations. Also, under “Place of Performance”, a zip code and/or state can be entered. Other search options are available.

Other Vendor Resources

There are many websites and resources to assist businesses in understanding doing business with the Federal government. There are many unique aspects such as the Federal Acquisition Regulations that govern how the Federal government issues solicitations for work and writes the contracts that result from the solicitations. The resources that can help in understanding doing business with the Federal government include –

Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) – Located in every state PTAC’s assist businesses in understanding how to prepare bids and proposals on Federal government contracts. Locate the appropriate state PTAC. 

Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) – Organized in association with the Small Business Administration, the SBDC’s provide general assistance on business structure, and how to obtain business loans and surety bonding. Some assistance is provided regarding Federal government contracting too. Find the nearest SBDC.

Small Business Administration (SBA) – The SBA is the Federal Agency tasked with assisting small businesses to be successful. SBA’s general website is available as www.sba.gov. There is also an SBA website that deals specifically with Federal Contracting.

Incident Procurement Information

Information on registering as a vendor for Incident Procurement in Region 5. 

Please note! A DUNS number is no longer needed.

Additional information.

Please Note! Training is Required: Vendors (engines, water tenders, fallers, mechanics, pick-ups w/driver, crew busses, dozers, and excavators) seeking work during fire incidents must complete 8 hours fire refresher and fire shelter training annually. Upon completion, each individual will receive proof of their training. This is only good for the individual who actually took the training. Proof of completed training must be carried by each operator while under hire. Information on Region 5 Incident Procurement including the times, dates, and provider of this training will be posted at the above website.

Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA)

More information on the Pacific Southwest Region's involvement in the GAOA program.

Contact Us

NCASA – Redding Office (530)226-2500
3644 Avtech Parkway
Redding, CA 96002

NCASA – Susanville Office (530)257-2151
2550 Riverside Drive
Susanville, CA 96130