The U.S. Forest Service is hosting a virtual Industry Days event in Spring 2026 to connect federal contractors with disaster recovery projects funded by the American Relief Act (2025). This initiative aims to restore infrastructure and natural resources impacted by disasters, particularly Hurricanes Helene and Milton, occurring in 2022, 2023, and 2024, across all nine Forest Service Regions and associated research stations. The scope of work includes capital improvements, ecosystem recovery, and cooperative forestry initiatives, emphasizing the importance of restoring public access and supporting rural economies. Interested contractors should register, verify their SAM.GOV registration, and assess their capabilities, with further details available from primary contacts Aurora Cutler and Christopher Ford at AFSG-Disaster-Recovery-Day@usda.gov.

U.S. Forest Service’s Disaster Recovery Outreach Event.pdf

The U.S. Forest Service is announcing a virtual Industry Days event for Spring 2026 to connect federal contractors with disaster recovery projects. These opportunities, funded by the American Relief Act (2025), aim to restore infrastructure and natural resources damaged by disasters in 2022, 2023, and 2024, particularly Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Projects span all nine Forest Service Regions, two Research and Development Stations, and the International Institute of Tropical Forestry. The scope of work includes capital improvement and maintenance (e.g., bridge and road reconstruction, facility restoration), national forest system restoration (e.g., hazardous tree removal, ecosystem recovery), state, private, and tribal forestry initiatives (e.g., forest health programs, spruce budworm management), and research and assessment. Contractors are encouraged to register, verify SAM.GOV registration, assess capabilities, and monitor forecasts. The event will discuss small business opportunities, and attendance is not mandatory for submitting proposals.

**The US Forest Service is opening contracting opportunities through Congressional disaster supplemental funding from the** **American Relief Act (2025).** **This virtual Industry Days event will connect federal contractors with disaster recovery projects spanning multiple national forests and grasslands.**

**BACKGROUND**

**The Forest Service stewards an impressive portfolio of landscapes across 193 million acres of National Forests and Grasslands in the public trust for multiple, sustained uses such as timber, water, wildlife, and recreation. The Agency’s top priority is to maintain and improve the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of current and future generations.**

The Forest Service has been entrusted by Congress in the American Relief Act with the responsibility to restore infrastructure and natural resources devastated by the unprecedented impacts of Hurricane Helene and other recent disasters, causing billions of dollars in damage.

The Forest Service program of work is aligned to the requirements of American Relief Act (2025) which includes: expenses related to fires, hurricanes, and other disasters that occurred in calendar years 2022, 2023, and 2024; forest health protection efforts to address spruce budworm in Maine and New Hampshire; and establishment and maintenance of shaded fuel breaks in the Pacific Regions that will help reduce fire risk and protect communities.

The disaster supplemental funding is allocated to all nine of the Forest Service Regions, two Research and Development Stations (the Southern Research Station and Northern Research Station), and the International Institute of Tropical Forestry in Puerto Rico. Over 88% of the funding will go to calendar year 2024 events, primarily in association with Hurricanes Helene and Milton (80% of the overall total), with the rest divided almost equally between other disaster events from calendar years 2022 and 2023.

**SCOPE OF WORK & CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES**

**CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT** **& MAINTENANCE**

**Repair and reconstruction of critical infrastructure:**

* Bridge engineering, construction, and replacement
* Road reconstruction and rehabilitation (forest and access roads)
* Administrative and recreation facility restoration
* Trail system reconstruction
* Dam repair and safety upgrades
* Emergency access route establishment

**Mission-critical work:**

These projects restore public access, support emergency response capabilities, and revitalize recreation economies in rural communities.

**NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM RESTORATION**

**Large-scale ecosystem recovery and risk mitigation:**

* Hazardous tree removal and disposal (significant volumes)
* Invasive species and noxious weed eradication
* Vegetation reestablishment (rangelands, riparian areas, forested landscapes)
* Range infrastructure rebuilding
* Stream and watershed restoration
* Cultural resources protection and stabilization
* Timber salvage sales operations

**Mission-critical work:**

Salvage timber operations and forest products recovery support rural forest economies

**STATE, PRIVATE & TRIBAL FORESTRY**

**Cooperative landscape-scale recovery**

* Forest health protection programs
* Cooperative forestry initiatives
* Fire protection systems
* Spruce budworm management (Maine and New Hampshire)
* Private landowner technical and financial assistance

**Mission-critical work:**

Partners work alongside state agencies and tribal nations to restore federal and non-federal forest lands.

**RESEARCH & ASSESSMENT**

**Scientific foundation for long-term recovery:**

* Forest Inventory and Analysis plot reestablishment
* Reestablishment of destroyed research projects
* Economic impact analysis
* Disturbance-based management assessments

**NAICS OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISASTER RECOVERY PROJECTS**

The following NAICS codes represent contracting opportunities (not exhaustive):

**Construction & Infrastructure**

* 2211
* 2213
* 2362
* 2371
* 2373
* 2379
* 2381
* 2382
* 2383
* 2389
* 3323
* 3339

**Forestry & Natural Resources**

* 1114
* 1131
* 1133
* 1153
* 5617
* 5629

**Professional & Technical Services**

* 5413
* 5414
* 5416
* 5417

**Equipment & Supplies**

* 4232
* 4233
* 4234
* 4238
* 5321
* 5324
* 8113

**Additional opportunities may exist under related** **NAICS codes** **Link: https://www.naics.com/. Review solicitations carefully for specific requirements.**

**NEXT STEPS FOR CONTRACTORS**

1. **REGISTER NOW:** Complete the Market Research Form

Link: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=5zZb7e4BvE6GfuA8-g1Gl9Cs0Q2n8rxGhW9G6XiIjfdUMFRMMllEWThHTEtWRDEzNzQ0ODVEQ09SVS4u&route=shorturl

1. **VERIFY SAM.GOV REGISTRATION:** Ensure your registration is current with accurate NAICS codes
2. **REVIEW CAPABILITIES:** Assess your firm’s past performance and technical capacity
3. **MONITOR FORECASTS:** Check the USDA OSDBU Website: https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/general-information/staff-offices/departmental-administration/office-small-and-disadvantaged-business-utilization-osdbu and SAM.GOV regularly

**VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSION DETAILS**

**Virtual Event Format:** Full details including session times, registration links, and specific topic tracks will be distributed to registered participants.

**No Obligation:** Attendance is **not required** to submit proposals on future Forest Service solicitations.

**Small Business Opportunities:** The Forest Service is committed to maximizing small business participation. Set-aside and partnership opportunities will be discussed.

*Attendance at this event is not required to submit responses to synopsis or solicitation of Forest Service Projects.*

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