Event

Become a Wildland Firefighting Vendor

Jan 28 10:00 am — 11:30 am
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Interested in becoming a wildland firefighting vendor? Now is the time to get set up with the Forest Service’s vendor portal (VIPR) and the CAL FIRE Hired Equipment Program. 

Virtual Incident Procurement (VIPR) is an electronic bidding and award system used by the US Forest Service to manage wildland firefighting small business resources. VIPR allows the Forest Service to solicit bids for what are known as “blanket purchase agreements” during the off-season so that they have a ready list of vendors they can call when a wildfire breaks out later in the year. These solicitations typically open up sometime around February and close in March, so now is the time to get prepared. 

As of 2024 VIPR switched from 3 to 5-year solicitation cycles and introduced a yearly onboarding process which means most equipment categories will be opened each year for new vendors who missed the original solicitation. In 2025, every category of equipment on the VIPR National Solicitation Plan should be either opened as a new solicitation or onboarded. You can find the plan here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/business/incident/compsolplan.php?tab=tab_b

California also solicits firefighting equipment and services from private vendors through its CAL FIRE Hired Equipment Program, which is in the form of Emergency Equipment Rental Agreements (EERAs). Similar to the VIPR, there is a process to sign up for open-ended agreements if you have the right equipment so that you may get calls during fire season if the need arises in your region. But there are key differences, which we’ll go over. You can explore the categories that CALFIRE is soliciting this year at this link: https://www.fire.ca.gov/about/resources/hired-equipment

These agencies are looking for businesses that can provide the following equipment/ services:

Resources That Will be Onboarding:

  • Ambulance & EMT Services
  • Bus, Crew Carrier
  • Clerical Support Unit
  • Communications Unit
  • Helicopter Operations Support Unit
  • Mobile Laundry
  • Chipper
  • Faller Module (Single and Module)
  • Fuel Tender
  • Heavy Equipment
    • Includes: Dozer, Tractor Plow, Excavator, Transport
  • Mechanic with Service Truck
  • Miscellaneous Heavy Equipment:
    • Includes: Feller Buncher, Mulcher/Masticator (Boom Mounted), Strip Mulcher/Masticator, Road Grader, Skidder
  • Mobile Chainsaw Unit
  • Mobile Sleepers
  • Potable & Gray Water Truck, Handwashing Station, Trailer Mounted
  • Vehicle with Driver
    • Includes: Passenger Vehicles and Trucks

Resources That Will Have NEW 2025 Solicitations

  • Clerical Support Unit
  • GIS Unit
  • Heavy Equipment with Water
    • Includes: Pumper Cat, Skidgine, Softtrack
  • Incident Base Camp
  • Refrigerated Trailer
  • Water Handling Equipment:
    • Includes: Engine, Water Tender (Support), Water Tender (Tactical)
  • Weed Washing Unit

Webinar topics include:

  • Prerequisites for registering in VIPR
  • How to register and add resources in VIPR and submit quotes
  • Differences between the Forest Service and the CAL FIRE processes
  • Prerequisites for CAL FIRE’s Hired Equipment Program
  • How to sign up for the Hired Equipment Program
  • Q&A with USFS and CAL FIRE representatives

Register for this Webinar Here >>

Registration Cost: FREE

Location: Virtual (Zoom Webinar)

Event Contact: Norcal APEX Accelerator

P: (707) 267-7561

E: info@apexnorcal.org

The information provided in this webinar/ workshop and any supplementary materials provided to registrants are intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute professional financial or legal advice. No registrant should act or fail to act on the basis of any material contained in this webinar/ workshop without obtaining proper financial, legal or other professional advice specific to their situation. The Northern California APEX Accelerator, and its host, the HSU Sponsored Programs Foundation, specifically disclaims any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the information presented in this webinar/ workshop. By registering for this webinar/ workshop you acknowledge and agree that you have read, understood, accept and agree to the above disclaimer and that under no circumstances shall the Northern California APEX Accelerator or it’s host, the HSU Sponsored Programs Foundation, be held liable for any claims, losses, or damages of any kind or nature arising out of or in any way related to the information provided in this webinar/ workshop and/or the registrant’s use of or reliance on said information.

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This no-cost training event is hosted by

Norcal APEX Accelerator

Northern California APEX Accelerator is a government-funded nonprofit formed to help small businesses find, bid on, and win contracts with federal, state, local, and tribal agencies.

This no-cost training event is co-hosted by

U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service

www.fs.usda.gov/

California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CALFIRE)

www.fire.ca.gov

CALFIRE is responsible for fire protection in various areas under state responsibility totaling 31 million acres, as well as the administration of the state’s private and public forests. In addition, the department provides varied emergency services in 36 of the state’s 58 counties via contracts with local governments.