Control of invasive plants at Rock Lake WRP Wetland Reserve Easement, Guadalupe County, New Mexico

The Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service seeks herbicide and manual control of Russian olive and salt cedar invasive plants across a 160-acre wetland reserve easement in Guadalupe County, New Mexico, with proposals due September 18, 2026. This is a Total Small Business set-aside foreclosing non-small-business competition. A mandatory site visit is scheduled for September 1, 2026 at 10:00 AM MT at Rock Lake via River Road, Santa Rosa, New Mexico.

Place of performance is Santa Rosa, New Mexico. The contractor must treat approximately 80 acres with notable invasive tree density and inspect the entire 160-acre project area using herbicide application (cut-stump, frill cut, basal bark, or foliar spray) or hand pulling of seedlings where roots can be fully extracted, achieving 95–100% reduction in target species. Performance runs from mid-September 2026 through April 15, 2027. The Principal Investigator must demonstrate plant identification knowledge, hold appropriate pesticide application licenses or certifications, understand protected species handling laws, and have safety experience. All equipment must be clean of noxious weeds and free from oil leaks. Work within 100 feet of protected plant species (Pecos sunflower, Wright's marsh thistle, Great Plains ladies'-tresses orchid) is prohibited April 1 through late September. Herbicide applications within 50 feet of surface water require water-safe herbicides (such as Habitat), optimal environmental conditions (60–80°F, 65–90% humidity, 3–7 mph winds), and must be documented with date, amount, type, location, and weather conditions.

Contract magnitude is between $25,000 and $100,000. NAICS code is 115310, Support Activities for Forestry. Davis-Bacon prevailing wage rates apply. Evaluation considers price fairness and realism, technical qualifications and understanding of the work, and past performance on similar projects. The contractor must submit a payment protection option (payment bond, irrevocable letter of credit, or tripartite escrow agreement) equal to 100 percent of contract price within five days of award.