Cave seasonal mowing

The National Park Service Intermountain Region seeks seasonal mowing and grounds maintenance services at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, with quotes due May 26, 2026 at 11:00 AM Mountain Daylight Time. This is a 100% total small business set-aside under NAICS 561730 with a small business size standard of $9.5 million or less.

Place of performance is 727 NM-7, Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220. The contract period runs June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027. Work encompasses three distinct areas: the Picnic Area–Developed Landscape (84,291 SF) requiring up to six mowings annually between April 15 and September 15; Main Entrance Road and Walnut Canyon Road roadside shoulders (7 miles × 2 sides) requiring two mowings annually in June/July and October/November with full traffic control including safety vehicles with amber lights and MUTCD-compliant signage; and Historic Pond, Orchard, and House Landscape (237,800 SF) requiring up to six mowings annually with no mowing June 15 through July 1, using lightweight equipment to protect historic features and irrigation systems. All work must occur between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Amendment 3 adds mowing services around the Historic Pump House Spring Pond with pond perimeter mowing maintained at 10–12 feet width and clippings directed away from water; once annually between November and March, mowing extends to the tree line to encourage milkweed growth. Critical environmental restrictions prohibit all mowing in the pond zone mid-June through July 1 to protect state-listed Rio Grande cooters during migration.

Service Contract Act prevailing wage rates apply (Wage Determination 2015-5455, Revision 30, effective March 30, 2026, for New Mexico counties Chaves, Eddy, Lincoln, and Otero); wage rates range from approximately $11.57 to $48.51 per hour with mandatory health and welfare benefits of $5.55 per hour. Offerors must submit SAM registration with a valid UEI, a capabilities statement, equipment list, two prior project references, and a firm-fixed price quote. Evaluation weighs price (reasonableness), technical capability (documented experience with labor, materials, tools, and supervision per SOW), and prior experience (references confirming similar scope and size projects within five years). A mandatory site visit is scheduled May 19, 2026 at 10:00 AM MDT; registration required with Contracting Officer Billie Thomas at (406) 599-4402 or Billie_thomas@ios.doi.gov. Contractors must submit a Site-Specific Safety Plan, work schedule, equipment list, traffic control plan, proof of insurance, and proof of equipment washing/inspection at mile marker 16 on Highway 62/180 prior to park entry.