USDA Forest Service - Acquisition Management

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USDA Forest Service

P.O. Box 96090

Washington , D.C. 20090-6090

(202) 205-8333

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USDA eAuthentication

All Forest Service vendors/contractors who wish to obtain a new preseason incident agreement or update an existing preseason incident agreement with the Forest Service must have a Level 2 eAuthentication (eAuth) account in order to use VIPR.

NOTE:
Once a vendor/contractor obtains an eAuthentication account, they need to use their eAuth account at least once every 90 days to keep their account from being deactiviated. For vendors who have access to the vendor application, they can log into the vendor application using their eAuth account. For vendors who are using Formatta only, they can log into http://www.eauth.egov.usda.gov/eauthCreateAccount.html and click on the "log into your profile" link and use their eAuth account.

Level 2 eAuth accounts require the completion of an online (web-based) process and an in-person verification of your identity by a Local Registration Authority. To assist vendors in obtaining their Level 2 eAuth accounts, the Forest Service has provided these tools:

Instruction guides for completing the online eAuth process. Depending on your situation, you will need to do the following:

If you have never gone through the USDA eAuthentication process, follow the instructions in "USDA eAuthentication for Vendors: Creating a New Level 2 Account."
If you have a Level 1 eAuthentication account (e.g., the accounts used for the Equipment and Training Inventory System), follow the instructions in "USDA eAuthentication for Vendors: Upgrading from a Level 1 to a Level 2 Account."
If you have an existing eAuth account, but are unsure if it is a Level 2 account, review the Appendix in "USDA eAuthentication for Vendors: Upgrading from a Level 1 to a Level 2 Account" for instructions on how to determine what type of account you have.
If you already have a Level 2 eAuthentication account (e.g., access to another USDA system), no action is required. USDA Level 2 eAuthentication accounts are universal and work with many systems for various USDA agencies.
The vendor application associates one eAuth account with only one DUNS number. If you work for more than one company, you will need to establish a separate level 2 eAuth account for each DUNS. This process has been validated by the eAuth System Helpdesk.

LRA Locator Tool to find the USDA Service Center or Forest Service Local Registration Authority location nearest you to complete the in-person identity verification requirement for eAuth.

For more information about the eAuthentication requirement, please click on the topics below.

Why eAuth Accounts Are Important

The Level 2 eAuth account allows you to electronically sign your preseason incident agreement with the Forest Service. The Level 2 account provides additional security through in-person verification of an account holder’s identity, and helps to ensure the information you submit is protected. You cannot obtain a preseason incident agreement if you do not have a Level 2 eAuth account.

When To Obtain an eAuth Account

Vendors must obtain their Level 2 eAuth account prior to responding to a solicitation for preseason incident agreements in VIPR.

Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Apparatus
All Terrain Vehicle
Chainsaw Repair Service
Chipper
Clerical Support Unit
Coach Bus
Communication Trailer
Copier
Crew Carrier Bus
Fallers
Fuel Tners
Generic*
GIS Unit
Heavy Equipment
- Dozer
- Excavator
- Tractor Plow
- Transport
Heavy Equipment with Water
- Pumper Cat
- Skidgine
- Softtrack
Helicopter Operations Support Trailer
Mechanic with Service Truck

Miscellaneous Heavy Equipment
- Feller Buncher
- Masticator (Boom Mounted)
- Masticator (Track Mounted)
- Road Grader
- Skidder
Mobile Laundry Unit
Mobile Sleeper Unit
Portable Toilet
Potable & Gray Water Trucks/Handwashing Station (Trailer Mounted)
- Handwashing Station (Trailer Mounted)
- Gray Water Truck
- Potable Water Truck
Refrigerated Trailer
Rental Vehicle
- Rental Passenger Vehicle
- Rental Truck
Tent and Canopy
Vehicle with Driver
Water Handling Equipment
- Engines
- Water Tenders
Weed Washing Unit

*Generic resources are used for various local equipment and services not listed on the National Solicitation Plan for I-BPAs, but may be identified on the Method of Hire (MOH) chart located in the Interagency Incident Business Management Handbook (IIBMH).

All other vendors with incident agreements will need their eAuth accounts prior to the 2012 fire season. Additional information on when vendors with other types of equipment will need their eAuth accounts will be published prior to the 2013 fire season.

Do You Have More Questions About eAuth?

Please visit the VIPR Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for answers to common questions about eAuth and VIPR. If you require additional assistance, please contact the Incident Business Solutions / Forest Service VIPR Help Desk at (866) 224-7677. Press Option 3 for VIPR / eAuth. The Helpdesk is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.