Colville National Forest Seed Orchard Mowing, NE Washington

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service is soliciting quotes for comprehensive field mowing services across six seed orchards within the Colville National Forest in northeastern Washington. The contractor must provide all necessary labor, supervision, equipment, and services to mow approximately 197 acres of vegetation to reduce fire risk and prevent the spread of undesirable vegetation, with specific requirements including using only rubber-tired equipment and maintaining vegetation height at six inches or less. The work involves challenging terrain with stumps from past tree thinning, and potential contractors are strongly recommended to visit the sites before submitting quotes. The government will evaluate offers based on technical capability, past performance with large acreage mowing projects, and price considerations. Quotes must be submitted electronically by 2:00 PM Pacific Time on July 9, 2025, to Mindy Hickman at the USDA Forest Service.

This opportunity is designated as a total small business set-aside under NAICS code 561730 (Landscaping Services) with a size standard of $9.5 million in annual receipts. The contract structure includes one base year of 12 months and two optional 12-month extension periods, with the potential period of performance running from mid-July 2025 through May 31, 2028. The mowing work must be completed annually between June 15th and July 30th across six specific seed orchards: Pal Moore, Cedar Creek, Flowery Trail, Brown Mountain, Teepee, and Peony, with individual orchard sizes ranging from 24 to 48 acres. All work will be performed within Mason County, Washington, as part of the Colville National Forest system. The solicitation operates under a firm-fixed-price contract structure, and contractors will face a $250 penalty for each damaged seedling or tree during operations.