Aquatic Vegetation Management Services, MKARNS

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District, is seeking contractors to provide aquatic vegetation management services for the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS) Pool 2, focusing on chemical application of herbicides to control aquatic invasive species. The contractor must provide all necessary labor, materials, equipment, transportation, and oversight to conduct these vegetation management activities on Corps-owned lands and water resources, achieving a 95% kill rate without negatively impacting native species. Contractors are required to hold EPA Category 5A Aquatic Pest Control certification and comply with all environmental and safety regulations. The evaluation criteria has evolved from a price-only basis to a best value tradeoff process, incorporating three primary factors: Understanding of the Performance Work Statement, Listing of Key Personnel and Equipment, and Past Performance, with non-price factors collectively considered significantly more important than price. The current proposal submission deadline is July 8, 2025, at 10:00 AM CST, following multiple extensions from the original June 13, 2025 deadline.

This opportunity is designated as a Total Small Business set-aside under NAICS code 561730 (Landscaping Services) with a size standard of $9.5 million, having been changed from an 8(a) Program set-aside to broaden competitive opportunities. The contract structure includes one base year and two option years, running from the date of award through February 29, 2028, with work to be performed in Tichnor, Arkansas. The contractor will be responsible for managing up to 1,000 acres of chemical application per contract year, with work locations that may be remote and require long-distance travel in adverse conditions via water or land conveyances. The locations may present challenging access requirements and environmental conditions typical of aquatic vegetation management operations. No incumbent contractors or specific award values are identified in the solicitation materials, though the contract's multi-year structure suggests a substantial investment in ongoing aquatic ecosystem management.