NATIONAL FIRE PLAN COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE AND WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE PROJECTS
Application for Wildland Urban Interface Fuels / Education and
Prevention / Community Planning for Fire Protection Projects
Applicant
Applicant/Organization:
Organization for Economic Initiatives (OEI) a 501 © 3 non-profit corporation
Phone:
541-756-5596
FAX:
Email:
541-756-5735
revans@gcap.org
Address (Street or P. O. Box, City, State, Zip):
2455 Maple Leaf Ln, North Bend, OR 97459-1690
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title):
J. Rick Evans, Executive Director and Jim Beltram, GCAP Contract Specialist
Organization/Jurisdiction:
OEI Statewide
Phone: same as above
Central and Eastern Oregon
FAX: same as above
Email: same as above
Project Information
Project Title: Local Work Force and Contractor Training, Technical Assistance and Development
Project Start:
Project End:
July 1, 2002
September 30, 2005
Federal Funding Request:
Total Project Funding:
$107,902
$126,739
Are you submitting multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
No
Brief Project Description:
The Organization for Economic Initiatives (OEI) through its Government Contract Assistance
Program (GCAP) will provide local community work force and contractor training in rural and
distressed interface communities. The proposed project will include developing and presenting
contracting workshops, delivering training in interface high fire risk areas and economically
impacted communities throughout Oregon, developing training hand-out materials and instructional
Guide to Contracting on Government Lands in English and Spanish, and providing on-going
technical assistance and counseling support.
Project Location:
Oregon
County:
Congressional District:
All
All
Project Type: Check appropriate project type. More than one type may be checked. If only Box (4) is checked, use Enclosure 4.
(1) xx Wildland Urban Interface Fuels Project
(2) xxWildland Urban Interface Education and Prevention Project
(3) xxCommunity Planning for Fire Protection Project
(4)
Fuels Utilization and Marketing Project
If the applicant is an unincorporated area, define the geographic area being represented:
Enclosure 3B (Page 1 of 3) - Project Narrative Description
Applications for funding must include a narrative response that describes the proposal. Please do not submit responses longer than one page,
single space, 12-pitch font.
Describe project including, but not limited to:
 project location
Address these
 project implementation
items as
 anticipated outcomes
applicable:
 measures and reporting
 partners





project income
project time frames
specify types of activities and equipment used
amount or extent of actions (acres, number of homes, etc)
environmental, cultural and historical resource requirements
Many communities, particularly those that are in the rural interface and economically
distressed locations, have work forces that are highly experienced in working on forest land treatments
projects, but lack the training and technical skills necessary to effectively compete for fuels treatment and
ecosystems contracting project opportunities. Funding a training program to enhance contracting work force
skills will greatly assist a local community’s work force capabilities while contributing significantly to
ecosystem restoration and resource management efforts.
The Organization for Economic Initiatives (OEI) will work in collaboration with several of our long-term
partners throughout the State. These partners include the Oregon Economic and Community Development
Department, local city and county economic development groups, the Ecosystem Workforce Program at the
University of Oregon, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, Oregon Native American
Business Enterprise Network (ONABEN), and Sustainable Northwest. Each of our partners supports the
objectives of the National Fire Plan.
Response:
OEI will devote .35 FTE in staff to: 1) develop and deliver 6 community workshops during the first year and
4 workshops during each of years 2 and 3 specifically covering contracting practices on government lands; 2)
develop and publish a “Guide to Contracting on Government Lands” in English and Spanish languages; 3)
provide technical assistance and counseling support to contractors and potential contractors on bidding
practices, best value contracting, contracting interpretation, cost-estimate development, contract certification
requirements, including DUNS, PRO-NET, HUB-zone, Small disadvantaged business utilization. OEI will
use its previous experience gained by the Government Contract Assistance Program (GCAP), which has
worked in support of Jobs-in-the-Woods and Watershed Restoration Program efforts.
The outcomes of this effort will include an increase in local work force participation in support of fire hazard
reduction efforts, the training of 100 workers/contractors, and the publication and distribution of the above
mentioned “Guide”. The 3-year, three-month project (7/2002 – 9/2005) will provide a direct benefit to
interface communities, the US Forest Service and BLM efforts to reduce fire hazards on public lands
throughout Oregon.
Enclosure 3B (Page 2 of 3) - Project Evaluation Criteria
Applications for funding must include narrative responses that address the following four criteria. Within each criterion, subcriteria are listed in descending order of importance. Limit your responses to the areas provided.
1. Reducing Fire Risk. (40 points))
A. Describe how the proposal promotes reduction of risk in high hazard areas or communities.
B. Describe how the proposed project benefits resources on federal land or adjacent non-federal land, or how it protects the safety
of communities.
C. To what extent does the project implement or create a cooperative fuels treatment plan or community fire strategy (include
evidence of the plan if it already exists)?
D. Explain to what extent the affected community or proponent has been involved or plans to involve the affected community in a
qualified fuels education program (e.g., FIREWISE).
E. Explain how the proposal (a) leads to, enhances or restores a local fire-adapted ecosystem, and/or (b) mitigates or leads to the
mitigation of hazardous fuel conditions.
F. How will the proposed treatments be maintained over time?
A. The proposed project will promote the reduction of risk in high hazard areas and impacted
communities by equipping local work forces with the tools necessary to effectively compete for fuels
treatment contracts. The efficiency of the fuels treatment work will be greatly enhanced by utilizing local
work forces working on public lands that are, in many cases, adjacent to or within their own “backyards”.
B. A well-trained resident work force will have substantial “buy-in” in addressing the problem of fire hazard
reduction in Federal lands and adjacent non-federal lands, thus increasing the effectiveness of the treatment
applications and positively impacting the safety of their communities.
C. As mentioned above, the reduction of fire hazards by primarily local contractors and workers is an
efficient and cost-effective strategy in accomplishing the goals and objectives of the fire plan.
D. Many communities in high hazard areas are already well informed about the rural/urban interface fire
hazard problems from agency information sources and media attention. In these same communities there
exists, in most cases, an experienced land treatments and resources-based work force. However, this work
force does not, for the most part, have the acquired skills and training to develop or respond to an agency’s
bids or requests for proposals and effectively compete for project work.
E. The focus of this proposal is to assist in developing the skills of the local work force to effectively compete
and respond to contracting projects. The result will be the enhancement and restoration of the local
ecosystem. F. The training of local work force should be monitored and updated on a reoccurring basis.
Response:
2. Increasing local capacity. (30 points)
A. How would the proposal improve or lead to the improvement of the local economy in terms of jobs and sustainable economic
activity? How many jobs are expected to be created or retained and for how long (please distinguish between essentially yearround and seasonal jobs)?
B. To what extent will this project be offered to serve as a model for other communities?
C. Will biomass or forest fuels be utilized; if so, in what manner and how much?
OEI will, through this proposed project, enhance opportunities for small rural communities to
participate in fuel treatments and ecosystem management contracts. Our proposed work force and contractor
training and counseling will create and retain jobs, increase federal dollars circulating in the community and
increase the local work force’s ability to continue working in the ecosystems management arena after fire
plan dollars are gone. OEI and its Government Contract Assistance Program staff will train local work force
and contractors in all aspects of the procurement cycle, from finding opportunities, attaining certifications and
registrations (Duns number, Pro-Net, HUB-zone, SDB, 8a, etc.) bidding, cost estimation, contract types, and
performance and payment issues.
OEI expects to assist local communities in creating or retaining a total of 30-50 essentially year-round jobs
over a 3-year period (based on the national average of one job created/retained per $42,500 in federal
contracts). The goal for our proposed project is to support our Oregon partners in developing strong
sustainable local economies. OEI has well established relationships with local/state/regional level Forest
Service and BLM personnel as well as private companies engaged in resource management. This project can
be adapted for use in other communities.
Response:
Enclosure 3B (Page 3 of 3) - Project Evaluation Criteria
3. Increasing interagency and intergovernmental coordination. (15 Points)
A. Describe how this project implements a local intergovernmental strategy plan, or creates such a plan. Describe the plan if it
already exists.
B. Explain the level of cooperation, coordination or strategic planning among federal, state, tribal, local government and
community organizations. List the cooperators.
OEI’s collaborative approach to this project will result in increasing coordination between agency
participants in the fire plan. The very nature of our proposed project is “intergovernmental” and “interagency”
at its core. The proposed effort was developed in collaboration with the State of Oregon’s Economic and
Community Development Department and with extensive discussions with Forest Service and BLM
personnel. The work force and contractor aspects of the proposed project have been developed in
collaboration with some non-governmental partners, including the Ecosystem Workforce Program, the Small
Business Development Centers, ONABEN, and Sustainable Northwest. We also continue to work closely
with watershed councils, local economic development groups, and the Oregon Rural Development Council.
OEI and GCAP personnel will carry out the project. OEI retains experienced contract specialists who are well
trained and informed in fire-plan objectives, lands treatment issues, and ecosystem management and
restoration efforts.
Response:
4. Expanding Community Participation. (15 Points)
A. To what extent have interested people and communities been provided an opportunity to become informed and involved in this
proposal?
B. Describe the extent of local support for the project, including any cost-sharing arrangements.
C. What are the environmental, social and educational benefits of the project?
The proposed effort is the outcome of the collaborative process described above. This
Organization for Economic Initiatives (OEI) project is an important part of our overall procurement assistance
activities, as provided by our Government Contract Assistance Program (GCAP). OEI and GCAP personnel
have extensive experience in working on the Jobs-in-the-Woods program, working with the Oregon
Watershed Enhancement Board and local watershed councils, and conducting ecosystem management
industry studies. OEI is particularly interested in increasing contracting opportunities with the local work
force and contractors in rural and economically distressed communities, as well as increasing opportunities
for small businesses, small and disadvantaged businesses and women-owned businesses.
The proposed project will operate from July 2002 through September 2005 and then we anticipate that
activities will be assimilated into GCAP’s day-to-day procurement assistance offerings. The total budget for
the project is $126,739, which includes a non-federal match of $18,837 from OEI funds. The environmental
benefits of the project include fire hazard reduction. The social benefits are primarily the sense of community
in dealing with the wildfire and ecosystem risk issues. The educational benefit is the training of the local
work force and contractors, empowering them to be part of the solution and goals of the fire plan.
OEI will provide equal access to all individuals and organizations in compliance with Civil Rights Title VI.
Response:
Enclosure 3C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Write, edit and review “Guide to
Contracting on Government Lands”
July 2002 – September, 2002
Jim Beltram, Rick Evans
and OEI? GCAP Staff
Meet with agencies and partners
to coordinate activities and
deliverables
July 2002 and ongoing
Jim Beltram and Rick Evans
Work with agencies and
partners in selecting targeted
communities
Same as above
Same
Develop training curriculum
July – Sept 2002 (plus period
reviews and updates)
Same
Deliver training to 6 first year
communities/disseminate Guides
July 2002-September 2003
Same
Deliver training/disseminate Guides to
an additional 4 communities
October 2003 –September 2003
Same
Deliver training/disseminate Guides to
an additional 4 communities
October 2004 – September 2005
Same
Periodic meetings with agencies
and partners to ensure goals and
objectives are being met.
Quarterly the first year and at least Same
bi-annually for years two and
three.
Provide annual reporting
throughout project period
October 2003, 2004, and 2005
Same
August 2002 – November 2002
To be determined, under
supervision from OEI staff
Guidebook translation
Enclosure 3D - Project Budget
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Agency
Personnel
Jim Beltram .25
Rick Evans .10
Applicant
Partner 1
Partner 2
Total
OEI
Subtotal
$48,289
$25,978
$74,267
48,289
25,978
74,267
Subtotal
$8,209
$7,014
$15,223
8,209
7,014
15,223
$5,000
5,000
Subtotal
$5,000
5,000
Subtotal
0
0
Fringe Benefits
JB
RE
Travel
In-State driving/lodging
Equipment
Supplies
Publication supplies
General office
Subtotal
$1,500
$1,500
1,000
1,500
2,500
$5,300
$1,500
$6,800
5,300
1,500
6,800
$5,200
$1,700
5,200
3,200
$3,637
14,549
$12,412
$10,537
22,949
Total Costs
$107,902
$18,837
$126,739
Project (Program) Income1
0
0
0
$1,000
$1,000
Contractual
Audit/Acct./Insurance
Web Design/maintenance
Subtotal
Other Office Rent/Util
Equip lease/translation
Indirect charges (15% of Fed $)
Subtotal
$1,500
$10,912