ALB Ohio Tree Survey/Climber

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking capability statements from all firms interested in a proposed project to perform aerial (tree climbing) survey as well as the potential for periods of ground-based tree surveys for the purpose of detecting and eradicating the ALB from Southwest Ohio. The Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) is a non-native wood boring beetle native to Asia that attacks several hardwood tree species. ALB is classified in the wood boring beetle family Cerambycidae.

The USDA is working under the authority of the Plant Protection Act of June 20, 2000, as amended, Section 412 (a), 7 U.S.C.7712 (a) and the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Sections 901.051 and 927.70. The Ohio ALB Program currently maintains a quarantine area for ALB, which includes all of Tate Township, all of East Fork State Park, and portions of the East Fork Wildlife Area. The goal of the Ohio ALB Program is to eradicate ALB from all know infested areas and to prevent the spread of the insect to uninfested areas through the survey and removal of ALB-infested and high risk host trees. Work is performed on public and private properties. The current quarantine zone may expand as new infested trees are detected or contract as ALB is eradicated.

The work will involve, but not be limited to, climbing all preferred host tress, perform ground survey when requested, mark and flag trees to communicate survey results, and collect beetle samples or tree samples for confirmation of ALB infestation. It is estimated that there will be 200 acres that require tree climb and/or ground surveying per year. The estimated average trees per acres is 100 trees. The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, PPE and supplies required to conduct aerial/climb surveys on ALB host trees and maintain accurate records of said surveys electronically and geo-spatially as directed. The Contractor is responsible for completing work with the highest quality standards, timeliness, and the least public disruption.

The appropriate NAICS code for the proposed project is 115310, Support Activities for Forestry, with a small business size standard of $7.5 million.

All interested parties are invited to submit capability statements for acquisition planning purposes. The following outline is recommended (5-page limit):
1) Company name, address, and primary point of contact information
2) A statement of capability, including the geographic region(s) in which the firm is capable of performing this type of work.
3) Recent and relevant past performance information
4) Business Ownership and Self‐Certification information (i.e. Small Business, Women‐Owned Small Business, Veteran Owned, Service Disabled Veteran Owned)
5) Current Government Certifications (i.e. 8(a) certified, 8(a) joint venture, Small Disadvantaged Business HUBZone Certified)
6) List Pertinent Codes: NAICS Codes (numbers only), DUNS number, and CAGE code

The USDA reserves the right to determine if a small business set-aside is appropriate based upon the capability information provided in response to this notice, and other pertinent information gathered by the contracting officer. Respondents should ensure the information provided is detailed, current, accurate, and complete.

Please submit capability statements by email to Kim Yen Tu at Kimyen.n.tu@usda.gov no later than 06/08/2019 @ 12pm central time.

This notice does not constitute a solicitation. This invitation for capability statements is for planning purposes only. The acquisition strategy for this proposed project has not yet been determined. Response to this notice is strictly voluntary. The Government will not reimburse any party for its participation in this effort. Information submitted in response to this notice is subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge or provide feedback with respect to any information submitted under this notice.

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