NIGP 94743: Forest Nursery and Gathering Services

NIGP 94743 Forest Nursery and Gathering Services (Item) covers the supply and propagation of native and ornamental seedlings, containerized plants, bareroot trees, shrubs, and landscape plant materials that state and local governments procure for reforestation, habitat restoration, park beautification, and right-of-way landscaping. Recent solicitations show issuing bodies purchasing custom-grown seedlings from native seeds, containerized longleaf pine for large-scale reforestation, bareroot trees for spring planting, and mixed ornamental and native plant inventory on as-needed bases. Buyers span state fish and wildlife agencies, water management districts, county commissioners, municipal parks and recreation departments, and city procurement offices. Contracts typically require vendors to meet ANSI nursery stock standards, carry $1 million to $2 million commercial general liability insurance, provide proof of nursery licensing and plant health certifications, and accommodate delivery within 10 to 30 days. Many solicitations emphasize native species, Florida Department of Agriculture compliance, and Integrated Pest Management standards where applicable.

The code sees active procurement across Utah, Florida, Kansas, and Oregon. Representative recent opportunities include the State of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources issuing an IFB on October 8, 2026 (due October 22, 2026) for custom propagation of 10,000 native shrub seedlings in PL 50 plugs across three Wildlife Management Areas with pickup between October 2027 and April 2028; the City of Wichita issuing an IFB on September 3, 2026 (due September 18, 2026) for 1,600 bareroot trees across 16 species for spring 2027 delivery to the Park Department Greenhouse; the Suwannee River Water Management District requesting bids on July 17, 2026 (due August 3, 2026) for 255,000 containerized longleaf pine seedlings for winter 2026–2027 reforestation in north central Florida; Collier County issuing an ITB on June 18, 2026 (due July 8, 2026) for unit-priced plant materials and shrubs across 78 line items with historical annual expenditures near $300,000; and the City of Salem, Oregon issuing an RFP on May 27, 2026 (due June 19, 2026) for natural resources restoration and management services across six categories including planting, seeding, and forest stand management with multiple contract awards anticipated.