Jan. 2026: Wildfire Contracting 101: Vendor Requirements and Opportunities

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Want to get paid to support wildfire response in California?

Whether you operate heavy equipment, provide logistics support, or offer specialized emergency services, there are real contracting opportunities with both the U.S. Forest Service and CAL FIRE. But to take advantage of them, you need to understand how to register, onboard, and stay compliant. This no-cost training will walk you through the basics of working with the Forest Service’s Virtual Incident Procurement (VIPR) system and CAL FIRE’s Hired Equipment Program. You’ll learn how to prepare for upcoming solicitations, the key differences between the two programs, and how to navigate onboarding requirements. Plus, you can get your questions answered directly by Forest Service and CALFIRE agency representatives!

U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service

www.fs.usda.gov/

The Forest Service is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of Agriculture responsible for managing 193 million acres of public lands across national forests and grasslands. In addition to conservation and land stewardship, the agency plays a key role in wildfire response and relies on private vendors to provide essential equipment and support services during fire season.

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.