How to bid on Electronic Highway Message Boards for Black Hills National Forest

What the agency is buying and why it matters

The Department of Agriculture, specifically the Black Hills National Forest, is seeking to purchase two new electronic highway message boards. These boards will be used to display important information during prescribed burns and wildfires, enhancing safety for both firefighters and the public. This is an opportunity for small businesses to supply essential equipment for public safety operations.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This Request for Quotation (RFQ) was published on August 04, 2026. All quotations must be submitted by August 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET. Submissions received after this deadline may not be considered by the agency.

Who this opportunity suits

This acquisition is a total small business set-aside. It is suitable for firms that supply electronic message boards or similar equipment. The applicable North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) Code is 339950, with a small business size standard of 500 employees. Vendors should be able to provide boards that meet the specified minimum requirements and are functional upon delivery or initial setup.

How to respond to this solicitation

To access the solicitation details, click “View original source” on the portal. If the first click leads to the homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid. You may need a free account to view all documents, but this is not always required.

Your quotation package must include a signed SF 1449 form, with blocks 17 and 30a-c completed. You must also provide a completed Schedule of Items and a technical proposal. The technical proposal should detail your proposed products and include relevant product literature. Refer to Attachment 1 for applicable clauses, instructions, and evaluation criteria, and Attachment 2 for minimum specifications and the Schedule of Items.

Tips for preparing a competitive response

Carefully review all attachments, especially the solicitation terms and conditions, and the minimum specifications. Ensure your proposed electronic highway message boards fully meet or exceed all stated requirements. Clearly articulate how your products meet each specification in your technical proposal, providing supporting product literature.

Double-check that all required forms, including the signed SF 1449 and the completed Schedule of Items, are accurately filled out and included in your submission. Timely submission is crucial; plan to submit your quotation well before the August 14, 2026, 5:00 PM ET deadline to avoid any last-minute technical issues.