Containerized Seedlings

The United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service is soliciting quotations for the production of containerized Ponderosa Pine (PIPO) seedlings in 10 cubic inch plugs for reforestation efforts on the Kaibab and Prescott National Forests. The contractor must grow, harden off, package, store as applicable, and deliver seedlings in full compliance with detailed specifications outlined in the Statement of Work, including specific height and caliper standards, root plug requirements, and mycorrhizae inoculation protocols. Key contract requirements include supply of all labor, equipment, materials, and horticultural practices necessary for seedling production; maintenance of detailed inventory records with 10% standard error at 95% confidence; and delivery via enclosed refrigerated trailers maintained at specified temperatures. The solicitation specifies that seedlings must meet minimum standards of 4 inches in height (ideal 6 inches) and 3mm caliper (ideal 4-6mm), with firm root plugs at least 5 inches long, and be packaged in waterproof fiberboard boxes containing no more than 250 seedlings or 40 pounds per box. The deadline for quote submission is February 26, 2026, at 0800 Mountain Time, with quotes to be submitted electronically to Contracting Officer Veronica L. Beck at veronica.beck@usda.gov.

This procurement is designated as a Total Small Business Set-Aside, requiring all quoters to be actively registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) at the time of quote submission and to meet applicable small business size standards. The base contract includes 125,000 seedlings for Kaibab National Forest with delivery by October 1, 2026, and 175,300 seedlings for Prescott National Forest with deliveries on October 1 and November 15, 2026, with optional line items for holdover seedling storage and production of up to an additional 150,000 seedlings for 2027 delivery. The contract is valued at approximately $11.5 million, with payment based on thousands of acceptable live seedlings delivered, including shipping and storage costs. The performance period runs from the contract issuance date through delivery completion, not to exceed 600 days, with the base period extending from February 27, 2026 through November 18, 2026. Place of performance and delivery is Fredonia, Arizona, with the seedlings destined for the Kaibab and Prescott National Forests in the Williams, Arizona area (86046).