Boreal Plain Soil Shear Strength in Alberta

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, specifically the Engineer Research and Development Center - Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC-CERL), is seeking a contractor to expand a soil and forest region research model from Alaska to the boreal plain of Alberta, Canada. The project requires identifying approximately 96 sampling plots across four operational bases and collecting detailed environmental and soil data through extensive field sampling. Contractors will be expected to conduct 35 random shear vane samples per plot quadrant to a 10 cm depth, recording comprehensive measurements including tree species, vegetation cover, soil moisture, and soil characteristics. The evaluation criteria will focus on the offeror's relevant experience in soil sampling and data collection, with the contract to be awarded on a best-value basis. Quotes are due by 11:59 AM CDT on April 10, 2025, and must be submitted via email to CERL-CT-Quotes@usace.army.mil, with telephone responses explicitly not accepted.

The solicitation is an unrestricted procurement with no specific small business set-aside, categorized under NAICS code 541715 for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. The total project period is six months from award, during which the contractor will be required to complete all field data collection and submit a final report. A unique aspect of the procurement is the specific requirement for Humboldt brand H-4227 Field Sheave Vane equipment, which was justified through market research as the only equipment capable of meeting the project's technical specifications. The place of performance is Alberta, Canada, with the research aimed at expanding scientific understanding of soil shear strength in boreal forest regions. While no specific contract value was disclosed, the procurement is funded through Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) funds, suggesting a focused and specialized research initiative.