Contracting
for Fire
Emergency
Equipment Rental Agreements (EERA)
What should I
do to prepare for making an
EERA with the Government?
Thank you for your interest in assisting
local, state and federal government agencies in the event that an emergency (or
also known as an incident) arises.
This information is designed to provide you
with a “one stop shopping” place for information specifically related to
assignments with State and Federal groups in particular for wildland fire
suppression, but also other types of emergencies as they may arise.
You only need to sign up once to be available to all of our interagency
groups!
It is important to note that this information does not guarantee that
you, as a contractor, will in fact be hired by any of the
Not all types of equipment are needed for all
emergencies. The equipment that is used is solely dependent on the nature of
the emergency and the factors (such as terrain, weather, and safety) that exist
surrounding the emergency.
If you are interested in entering into an
Emergency Equipment Rental Agreement (EERA) with the Government for emergency
incident support, please review the following steps, which include important
information and regulations on preparations to make an emergency rental
agreement/contract with the Government for incident support.
Step 1:
It is important that you review the PRIMARY
and SUPPLEMENTAL policy and regulations governing agreements.
The primary policy and regulations is
located in Chapter 20 of the National Wildfire Coordination Group’s Interagency
Incident Business Management Handbook. (NWCG Chapter 20).
Click here for NWCG Chapter 20
The supplemental policy and regulations for
the local area known as the Rocky Mountain & Great Basin Coordinating
Groups (RM/GB CG) is a Chapter 20 supplemental to the NWCG Interagency Incident
Business Management Handbook (Rocky Mountain/Great Basin Chapter 20).
Click here for Rocky
Mountain/Great Basin Chapter 20
After reviewing these documents, if you wish
to continue the process, complete the next steps
listed below.
Step 2:
Register with Central Contractors
Registration (CCR) at www.ccr.gov. The Central Contractor Registration database
is the primary government repository for contractor information required to
conduct business with the Federal Government.
You will need a Dun and Bradstreet number to
register in the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) which is a tracking
number for businesses working with the government used with the CCR system.
To obtain a Dun and
Bradstreet number call 1-866-705-5711. Be
sure and mention that you are obtaining this number for a "federal fire
agreement." More DUNS information
can be found at: http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/contracting/ccr/duns_guide_gov_vendors.pdf
Registration assistance, including a paper
copy of the registration forms, may be obtained from the
Once you have registered in CCR, a Trading
Partner Identification Number (TPIN) is mailed to the individual identified by
you as the CCR point of contact. The
TPIN is the secure password for access to your firm's confidential information
in the CCR database. You will use the TPIN to access and change the
registration data in your profile. It is
your responsibility to enter and maintain your information in the CCR database.
A
yearly renewal is required to keep your registration active.
Additional information can be found at: http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/contracting/ccr/ccr.htm.
Step 3:
It is important for all private contractors
to understand that in addition to the necessary equipment standards to respond
to emergencies, there are also training requirements for the private drivers
who will be operating that piece of equipment as well.
By reviewing the NWCG 310-1 manual at
http://www.nwcg.gov/pms/docs/310-1new.pdf,
you can see what training requirements/courses are required by NWCG to be out
on the fire line. These training requirements are not flexible and are
a requirement for ALL individuals that will be around the fire camp as well as
the fire line. The
training requirements and courses are dependant on the role and scope of the individuals job on the fire or emergency, as outlined by the
NWCG 310-1 manual. You may also review
the appropriate solicitation for the required training for specific equipment.
The required safety equipment and personal
protective equipment is dependant on the type of job and is provided by the
contractor. Review the Supplemental to
Chapter 20 for additional information and/or the equipment solicitation.
You as a contractor are required to follow
the work rest guidelines. The guidelines
state that for every two hours worked, one hour of rest and/or sleep will be
provided. In addition, two days off
after a 14 day assignment are mandatory.
However, flexibility to exceed the guidelines is allowed when warranted
under specific situations.
Step 4:
The 2008 solicitations are for the
following equipment/services:
Timber
Fallers
Tent/Canopy
Service
Truck/Mechanics
GIS
Units (one solicitation nation-wide by Northwest Region)
Mobile
Laundry
Refrigerated
Truck/Trailer
Office/Clerical
Support
Only one award nationally will be
made for any piece of equipment or service within the above category. The Emergency Equipment Rental Agreements
(EERA) that are issued will be for a period of 3
years. There WILL NOT be another opportunity to
sign up these types of equipment/service(s)
until the end of the three year period.
Click here for the 2008
solicitations with contact information.
Step 5:
Once an Emergency Equipment Rental Agreement has been
awarded, it is the contractor’s responsibility to be prepared for an assignment!
Click here for Contractor
Assignment Checklist
LINKS:
Fed Biz Ops http://www.fedbizopps.gov
Central Contractor’s Registration http://www.ccr.gov
Work/Rest Guidelines http://www.nwcg.gov/teams/ibpwt/documents/personnel/nwcg_wr-loa_2004.htm
Federal Motor Carriers Safety
Administration http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/
Code of Federal Regulations http://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/
Equipment & Method of Hire http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/ibp/acquisition/Equipment_and_Method_of_Hire_Stds_11_6_2007.doc