International Institute of Tropical Forestry Jardin Botanico Sur

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF) is a civilian research sub-agency that conducts tropical forestry science and supports forest management across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, procuring contracts and funding grants for research support, facility maintenance, environmental services, and community forestry programs aligned with that mission.

IITF has awarded 593 federal contracts totaling $34.6 million in combined potential value since 2004, with $30.5 million obligated. Contract activity has declined over the last five years: 22 awards in 2022, 15 in 2023, 20 in 2024, 6 in 2025, and 13 year-to-date in 2026. The most recent contract award closed on October 5, 2026. Among 310 distinct prime contractors, competitive concentration is highly fragmented; the top five by award count hold 24% of recent awards, and the top five by potential value hold 12% of combined potential value over the last five years. Advantix Engineering Corp leads by award count with 6 awards worth $1.2 million combined potential value, followed by Rich Cleaning & Maintenance Corp with 5 awards totaling $1.4 million. Three-quarters of IITF's contract awards carry no set-aside designation; 17% are small-business set-asides, 5% are 8(a) sole-source awards, and the remainder split across HUBZone, woman-owned small business, and competitive 8(a) categories.

IITF has awarded 223 federal grants totaling $54.9 million in combined federal dollars obligated since 2010, with total federal and non-federal combined spending reaching $68 million. Grant activity has remained relatively steady: 16 awards in 2022, 19 in 2023, 30 in 2024, 18 in 2025, and 18 year-to-date in 2026. The most recent grant award closed on August 24, 2026. Among 45 distinct grant recipients, concentration is concentrated; the top five recipients by award count hold 65% of recent awards, and the top five by federal dollars hold 58% of combined federal dollars over the last five years. The Executive Office of The Government of The US Virgin Islands dominates both dimensions with 25 awards totaling $13.5 million federal dollars obligated. The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and Puerto Rico Firefighters Corps together with the Executive Office account for over half the grant portfolio. Grants are predominantly Project Grants (77% of awards) with a smaller share of Cooperative Agreements (23%).

Recent contract solicitations include a plant tissue sample analysis work to be performed October 2026 through April 2027 (small business set-aside for grounds maintenance at the Guayama Research Station, due September 1, 2026, amended three times through August 2026), and hazardous waste disposal services in San Juan and Luquillo, Puerto Rico (small business set-aside, due August 24, 2026). A notice of intent to restrict competition for plant tissue sample analysis (179 samples, standard acid digestion and ICP analysis, desired performance October 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027) was posted September 14, 2026 with a due date of September 15, 2026.