Bridge Contract - Marshal Yard Operations

Sole Source Justification for Bridge Contract

Subject: ALB Marshal Yard Operations – Ohio

The United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) program requires contracting work for the grinding or incineration of ALB host and/or co‐mingled non host materials from trees, shrubs, limbs, branches, exposed surface roots and stumps (not all inclusive) infested or exposed to infestation by the Asian Longhorned Beetle in Clermont County Ohio. Trees removed from ALB tree removal contract and from local community go to the yard for grinding and chipping. The service is in support of the USDA/Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) program for the eradication of ALB in in Clermont County Ohio.

The months of May through November is considered flight season where adult beetle emergence typically occurs. During this time, it is important that woody materials brought to the yard get grinded or chipped within 48 hours of receipt of material. The 48-hour grind rule is to ensure that regulated material, which may be harboring ALB, is deregulated quickly to minimize the likelihood that ALB adults emerge and disperse.

The current contract AG-6395-C-17-0102 expired back in March 2022, but clause 52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES was used to extend the contract 6 months to provide more time for contract renewal. The extension extends the current contract through Sept. 2022. This requirement has been solicited three times with no acceptable responses. Even with proper planning contracting was unable to renew this contract in a timely manner.

A lapse in services during flight season would result in reemergence of ALB infestations on properties that have already been cleared around Clermont County. This would upset the local community as well as waste tax dollar money. With that being said, it is important to set up a bridge contract to avoid reemergence of ALB infestations around Clermont County.

The bridge contract with the incumbent will be for two - three months starting Oct. 1st, 2022 with an estimated value of $150,000 - $200,000. This will give contracting activity enough time to put out another solicitation to establish a long-term contract.