Ebfd ISC funded vegetation management

The Bureau of Reclamation's Elephant Butte Field Division is conducting market research through a sources sought notice, with responses due July 21, 2026, to assess small business availability for species-specific vegetation management at Caballo Reservoir in Sierra County, New Mexico; this is a Total Small Business set-aside and is not a solicitation—no contract will be awarded from this announcement. The Government is determining whether a specific socioeconomic category (Small Disadvantaged Business, Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, HUBZone, or 8(a)) is appropriate for the eventual procurement.

Work involves removal of tornillo (mesquite) and salt cedar (tamarisk) infestations across four designated parcels totaling approximately 1,367 acres, divided as follows: Parcel A (106 acres—ground-based herbicide), Parcel B (646 acres—aerial herbicide), Parcel C (100 acres—mechanical), and Parcel D (515 acres—mechanical). Work also includes GIS-supported treatment boundary mapping and documentation in accordance with NEPA mitigation measures.

Respondents must be small businesses under NAICS 115310 (Support Activities for Forestry) with average annual receipts not exceeding $11.5 million and must possess or obtain a State of New Mexico pesticide applicator's license and aerial applicator certification. The anticipated contract type is Firm-Fixed-Price with a one-year period of performance from award. Capability statements not exceeding 10 pages, including UEI number, business size certifications, past performance, and subcontracting arrangements, must be submitted as PDF to megan_swift@ios.doi.gov by July 21, 2026, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time.