AR-south arkansas RC-hand planting 2026

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking a small business contractor to perform hand planting of 44,500 bare root hardwood seedlings across 102 acres at the Overflow National Wildlife Refuge in South Arkansas. The solicitation (140FS325Q0009) requires planting nine specific tree species including willow oak, sweetgum, and cherrybark oak using a 10' x 10' spacing method. Technical capabilities and past performance will be significantly weighted in the evaluation, with offerors required to submit a technical approach, management plan, and three past performance references demonstrating similar forestry work. Quotes are due by November 29, 2024 at 3:00 PM ET, with an anticipated award date of December 2, 2024. Vendors must be actively registered in SAM.gov and submit all quotes via email to stephanie_long@fws.gov.

The contract is a total small business set-aside under NAICS code 115310 with an $11.5M size standard, and the performance period runs from January 15, 2026 to March 1, 2026. The work will be located approximately 5 miles west of Wilmot, Arkansas at specific geographic coordinates. Contractors must source 1-0 bare root seedlings, preferably from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Baucum Nursery, and plant approximately 436 trees per acre. The government will provide GIS mapping and on-site direction for species distribution, with strict requirements for seedling storage, transportation, and planting according to state agricultural guidelines. Contractors must maintain proper soil moisture and coordinate work schedules at least one week in advance, with the potential for visual inspections and penalties for non-compliance.