Cato - FY26 hazard tree PKG 1

The National Park Service is soliciting tree removal, pruning, flattening, and stump grinding services for cyclic hazard tree mitigation at Catoctin Mountain Park in Thurmont, Maryland. This Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Request for Quotation (RFQ 140P2126Q0036) requires contractors to provide all labor, equipment, materials, supervision, and traffic control in compliance with ANSI Z-133 and ANSI A300 standards, as well as International Society of Arboriculture best management practices. Key requirements include demonstrating ownership of specified equipment (50+ foot bucket truck, log truck with grapple, 75+ foot tracked aerial lift, and 12+ inch chipper), maintaining an ISA Certified Arborist on-site at all times, and staffing positions with qualified personnel holding appropriate certifications and experience in large-scale tree projects. Quotations will be evaluated on best-value criteria with past performance weighted more heavily than price, technical capability, and pricing all considered in the evaluation. The deadline for submitting questions was February 3, 2026, quotations must be submitted electronically by February 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, and a mandatory site visit was held on January 29, 2026. Amendment 0001, issued January 22, 2026, extended the response deadline and released an updated Performance Work Statement with post-site visit questions and answers.

This is a 100% small business set-aside under NAICS Code 561730 (Landscaping Services) with no identified incumbents or current contractors referenced in the solicitation documents. The base scope includes seven Contract Line Items totaling 363 trees across multiple park locations, with delivery required by April 25, 2026 or 365 days after Notice to Proceed, including removal of 89 trees, pruning of 414 trees, and flattening of 75 trees, plus 40 hours of emergency services at an all-inclusive hourly rate. Four subject-to-availability options provide additional emergency services (120 hours total), wood chipping operations, firewood processing with completion by April 20, 2026, and Route 77 work comprising removal of 11 trees, pruning of 18 trees, and flattening of 19 trees requiring Maryland State Highway permits. Work is to be performed at Catoctin Mountain Park in Thurmont, Maryland across 17 designated locations including campgrounds, picnic areas, roads, and facility areas. The contract performance period extends from the Notice to Proceed through February 15, 2027, with work hours limited to 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.