Aquatic NNIS Eurasian - Watermilfoil Eradication - Tell City Ranger District

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service seeks a contractor to eradicate Eurasian watermilfoil and treat nuisance vegetation at lakes on the Hoosier National Forest's Tell City Ranger District in Indiana, with quotations due June 26, 2026, by 1:00 p.m. Central Time. The procurement is unrestricted with no set-aside; this is a new requirement with no incumbent.

Place of performance is Bedford, Indiana. The work encompasses four lakes (Tipsaw, Saddle, Indian, and Celina) across approximately 203,000 acres across two ranger districts. Contractors must hold current State of Indiana (or reciprocal) OISC Category 5 Aquatic Pest Management herbicide treatment certification, with a licensed applicator required on-site at all times during treatments. Only EPA-approved, non-restricted use chemicals such as Procella COR, Sonar, or equivalent products are permitted, applied according to manufacturer specifications. Aerial spraying and drones are prohibited; only vehicle, ATV/UTV/OHV, or boat-mounted sprayers are allowed. Treatments must achieve a minimum 90 percent kill rate of target infestations with at least 95 percent of mapped areas treated. Post-treatment surveys must be conducted one to three months after application.

The contract has a base period from August 15, 2026, to October 15, 2026, with two option periods (April 1 to June 30, 2027, and April 1 to June 30, 2028). Service Contract Labor Standards apply at rates of $27.36 per hour for Forestry Technician, $17.96 for General Forestry Laborer, and $16.61 for Nursery Specialist, plus $5.55 fringe benefits. The Government will award a firm fixed price purchase order using comparative evaluation methodology based on past performance (three required references from prior three years), technical approach including operational plan, key personnel qualifications, safety plan, and mandatory herbicide certifications, and price. Failure to submit employee State of Indiana herbicide treatment certifications will result in non-responsiveness. NAICS code 115310, PSC F006.