Montana West Economic Development PTAC Advisor Doug Bolender Receives National Award

On March 7, 2018, Doug Bolender, PTAC Advisor at Montana West Economic Development, was recognized and presented with the 2018 Becky Peterson Human Impact Award from the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers at their National Conference in Jacksonville, Florida. The Human Impact Award was created to recognize a PTAC that has made a positive contribution to a PTAC client business(es) or to the community. This award recognizes a PTAC going above and beyond the normal PTAC duties, making a difference in the lives of others and in the communities we call home. This serves as a reminder that PTAC successes are not always measured in dollars and cents. Below is the nomination criteria sent in by Deanna Langman, Statewide Program Manager for MT PTAC at Big Sky Economic Development Authority, defining Doug’s bulk of work on wildfire contracting and the effects felt from his efforts across the state. We at MWED are honored to work beside Doug in our office and are proud of his many accomplishments in his field and the high respect he receives from his peers.

Nomination for the Becky Peterson Human Impact Award
Contact Name/Organization:

It is my pleasure and privilege to nominate Doug Bolender, MT PTAC, for the Becky Peterson Human Impact Award. Doug’s fire contracting expertise and body of work in this area for close to two decades has positively impacted businesses, government agencies and communities in Montana and beyond. Doug is located at the Kalispell PTAC hosted by Montana West Economic Development (MWED). MWED is a subrecipient to Big Sky EDA/MT PTAC.

Biography:

Before joining Montana PTAC in 1999, Doug was a real estate broker in Kalispell. He was the recipient of numerous achievement awards during his six-year tenure with Coldwell Banker Wachholz and Company. A graduate of Idaho State University, Doug obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He is also a Certified Procurement Professional (CPP) through APTAC. Doug has a working background in accounting and has held supervisory level positions at corporations in Idaho and Montana. Formerly a volunteer for the Smith Valley Fire Department, Doug is well known for his knowledge of wild land firefighting. An avid sportsman and outdoor enthusiast, Doug serves on the board of directors for Flathead Wildlife, Inc. and is engaged with the Montana Logging Association. He and his wife Donna have an adult son who also resides in Kalispell.

Years as a member of APTAC: 19

Nominated by: Deanna Langman, Statewide Program Manager, MT PTAC @ Big Sky Economic Development Authority.

Provide a brief (one or two paragraphs) organizational profile describing the PTAC (structure, host, service area, staff, etc.) involved.

Big Sky Economic Development Authority in Billings, MT holds the cooperative agreement with DLA to provide PTAC services to Montana companies. Big Sky EDA accomplishes this through subrecipient agreements with six organizations across the state. Kalispell PTAC at Montana West Economic Development, Bozeman PTAC at Montana State University, Missoula PTAC at University of Montana, Hamilton PTAC at Ravalli County Economic Development Authority, Great Falls PTAC at Great Falls Development Authority and Lewistown PTAC at Snowy Mountain Development Corporation.

What was the issue the client or community was facing?
Every year, Montana (among other states) face the potential threat of significant wildfires. Wildfires can be devastating to people, property, landscapes, air quality, wildlife, agriculture, tourism and recreation. With an area of 147,040 square miles, Montana is the fourth largest state and is known for its grand mountain ranges, awe inspiring views and unspoiled, wide-open spaces.

Wildfires are not unusual in our state, but the 2017 fire season was different. According to USDA, the 2017 fire season was one of the worst on record and was devastating to many people and communities. Dry conditions compounded the multiple wildfires which torched over 1 million acres throughout the state. Spring brought plenty of moisture from an abundant snow-pack and provided adequate moisture for grass growth. Warmer temperatures quickly depleted the moisture leaving most of the state in drought condition.

"Ranchers saw this as great grass and feed. Firefighters saw it as fuel," said Dennis Garcia, Farm Service Agency (FSA) county executive director for Glacier County, Montana. Garcia was activated to serve in the National Guard during the wildfire suppression efforts near Lolo, Montana. The largest fire, the Lodgepole Complex fire, impacted over 270,000 acres.
Rain and snow in early November finally helped to suppress the fires and provided welcome relief for Montana residents. More than 4,000 firefighters were involved in the battle against the fires and tragically, two of them lost their lives fighting fires in western Montana.

What did the individual or PTAC do to help?
Doug Bolender has been with the MT PTAC since 1999. Every year, beginning in February and lasting through late fall, Doug stands by to make sure he is available, responsive and attentive to companies that are bidding on fire contracts or need post contract support during the season.

During his time with PTAC, Doug has worked with companies in many industries but has developed particular expertise in fire contracting systems and processes. He is recognized by his peers and contracting officers as an expert in this specialized area of government contracting. He has helped hundreds of companies across the state become capable of doing business with agencies such as the U.S. National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. Fire contracting requirements and electronic systems can be overwhelming and bewildering to businesses that are experts in heavy equipment operation or other types of support services for a fire incident, but not experts at the business processes required to bid on these contracts. Doug is highly proficient in electronic systems such as Virtual Incident Procurement Response (VIPR), eMACS and Resource Ordering and Status System (ROSS). A number of years ago, the U.S. Forest Service utilized a system known as Equipment and Training Inventory System (EaTIS) to manage its equipment resources and bid processes. Doug was asked by the agency to Beta test two iterations of EaTIS. This system was eventually replaced by VIPR and the U.S. Forest Service again invited Doug to Beta test this system. Because of his VIPR expertise, Doug developed a national training webinar on the subject which is available through Govology. He is well versed in the specifications for heavy equipment, fuel tenders, engines, water tenders, potable & grey water, transports, masticators, caterers Type 2 & 3, weed washing units and much more. He reads every fire solicitation in advance and is up to speed on the safety training and personnel requirements for fire camps and the equipment inspection processes.

What was the result or impact? (Include at least one documented testimonial):

Since 1999, Doug’s clients have been successful in winning over $76 million in fire contracts alone. His clients depend on him to help them through registration renewals, rollover modifications, equipment replacement modifications, bid submittals, solicitation review and registering on the secondary equipment resource list. Without Doug’s assistance, many of these companies would have just thrown their hands up in frustration and missed the business opportunity.
Debby Wesselius is the fire contracting officer for the U.S. Forest Service, Region I. Debby works closely with fire support vendors but is limited in the business support she can provide to them. She expects them to be capable and responsive. Debby is very appreciative that Doug’s assistance is available through PTAC. From her perspective, he has significantly supported the mission of the U.S. Forest Service by increasing the number of capable vendors available to provide fire support to her region and other regions within her agency. Many Montana fire contractors travel to support fires in other areas as needed. In Debby’s view, Doug’s hands on, responsive and attentive assistance has contributed to her agency’s ability to maintain a robust vendor and equipment resource list. Doug welcomes all comers no matter the size of company or sophistication of its owners. Debby stated, "Region I is dominate in its equipment/vendor resource list and is the envy of other regions, largely due to the vendor support provided by Doug and PTAC."

Doug’s initiative to become an expert in this area has raised the bar for all PTACs and has ultimately benefited his peers, the government, businesses and communities.

Testimonials:

Please click on this link to view the video testimonial from AGC, Inc.
http://www.montanaptac.org/about/client-success-stories/

When I first began working with the Montana PTAC, seven years ago, I was lucky to count Doug Bolender as my mentor. He guided me through many aspects of government contracting, FAR regulations, labor laws and bid proposals. But when it came to fire contracting I would never had learned the difference between a skidder and skidgine without help from Doug. Countless types of equipment and services are utilized on wildland fire fighting. They are contracted for through multiple agencies and a unique variety of agreements and terms. There is nothing ubiquitous about fire contracting. It is complex, often-times immediate and can be very challenging for the vendors. Doug taught me how to do it right–and challenged me to learn more each contracting season. I am so grateful to him and honored to have had the opportunity to learn from the best.  His commitment to his clients and assistance to the agencies have brought success to our rural communities. Thank you, Doug for all you have taught me, and for all you have done for our Montana PTAC clients. 
Patty Cox, Government Contracting Advisor, Missoula PTAC
"Well-deserved for sure…Montana may have perished in fires years ago without Doug’s assistance to all the firefighters!"
Kathy Lund, Montana PTAC, Billings
"Doug is a consummate professional with an exceptionally high bar for service to his clients. Not a week goes by that a client is quick to point out the requirement their business has for PTAC and Doug. His clients could not be as successful without Doug’s thoroughness and caring for their success. It is a pleasure to have Doug as a teammate and as a complimentary organization to economic development across city, county and state projects." Thank you!

Jerry Meerkatz, President/CEO
Montana West Economic Development &
Flathead County Economic Development Authority

Richard Grady of Grady Bunch, LLC writes, "I started Grady Bunch, LLC 12 years ago after retiring from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) in fire program management. The DNRC fire management program was involved in initial attack operations, incident management and contracting with the private sector for the same. I also served on the Northern Rockies Strategic Action Committee (SAC) and contributed to its planning for Business Value contracting for fire incidents. While at DNRC, I met Doug and became acquainted with PTAC.

Grady Bunch, LLC provides training, employee verifications, and equipment inspections for private contractors, I have continued to work with Doug on contracting issues for my own company and also refer other businesses to him for fire contract support. Last fall I attended a week-long course in the Kalispell area in which Doug provided me advice and direction of attending the course that applied to the understanding of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) clauses."

 My support of Doug for the award:

1. Doug is very dedicated to the service he provides to his clients, in the private sector to guide them through FAR best of his understanding, VIPR, SAM, and DUNS.

2. He returns individuals phone calls, emails and open to visit at his office, which is so important today of quality customer service in the day of iphones, texts, etc which I feel is a key asset to the service that PTAC provides that one on one relationship with calling back and answering emails.

3. He takes the time to read the various solicitations within the Northern Rockies under best value, along with other business opportunities, and is very well respected by those in the fire contracting communities within the Northern Rockies region.

4. He has attended many of the pre-proposal meetings, contractor association meetings, work with the respective contracting officers in the state and federal agencies to ask questions.

5. He also contacts private contractors for their input, recommendations and suggestions to make it work for everyone.

6. He has respect of those individuals with the Montana Logging Association that works with logging industry companies to expand their business opportunities

7. Doug is a people person with great communication skills both verbal and written, for those in the private sector.

8. I have referred Doug to many other private companies and individuals because he does care for folks to succeed. He believes in the mission statement of PTAC.
  
Richard E. Grady, Owner/Operator
Grady Bunch LLC

Respectfully submitted,
Deanna Langman, Statewide Program Manager
MT PTAC

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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Dorothy Meyer at 406.257.7711 ext. 2 or email at [email protected].