Chico Seed Orchard Pesticide Application

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service is requesting quotations for pesticide spray application services at the Chico Seed Orchard located within the Mendocino National Forest in California. The contractor must provide four separate insecticide/fungicide spray applications and multiple herbicide treatments across 84 acres to control target pests including seedbugs, coneworms, and seed chalcids that damage pine and Douglas-fir cone seeds. Key contract requirements include possession of a current California Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC) license prior to award, registration with the County Agriculture Commissioner, and provision of four to five high-pressure enclosed-cab spray rigs capable of reaching 90 feet in height to ensure complete tree canopy coverage. The evaluation criteria include technical capability, past performance, and price, with award going to the offeror providing the best overall value. The deadline for submitting questions is April 23, 2026 at 12:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time, while quotations must be submitted by April 27, 2026 at 5:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time, with offers remaining firm for 90 calendar days from receipt.

This procurement is designated as a Total Small Business Set-Aside under NAICS code 115112 with a small business size standard of $9.5 million, and no incumbent contractor is identified in the solicitation materials. The estimated period of performance extends from May 1, 2026 through September 18, 2026, with nighttime spraying operations scheduled between 1800 and 2400 hours during the facility's closed hours for safety purposes. The work will be performed at the Chico Tree Improvement Center in Chico, California, in Butte County, which comprises 16 seed orchard units containing various pine and Douglas-fir provenances and clones. All prospective contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to quotation submission to remain eligible for award, and lack of SAM registration will result in ineligibility. The government will furnish all pesticides and materials, with the contractor responsible for providing all labor, equipment, and supplies otherwise necessary to complete the work.