Ebfd ISC funded vegetation management

The Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation seeks vegetation management services, including mechanical and herbicide treatment of invasive phreatophyte species across approximately 1,267 acres within the Caballo Reservoir boundary in Caballo, New Mexico, with quotes due August 11, 2026 at 08:00 a.m. Eastern. The procurement is set-aside for Total Small Business under NAICS 115310 (Support Activities for Forestry) and PSC F006 (Natural Resources/Conservation—Land Treatment Practices).

Place of performance is the Caballo Reservoir in Sierra County, New Mexico. The contract is firm fixed price, issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ), with an estimated period of performance of one year from Notice to Proceed (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027). Two Contract Line Items structure the work: CLIN 00010 covers indirect services including project management, mobilization/demobilization, environmental and cultural compliance, and quality assurance; CLIN 00020 covers direct vegetation management services including extraction/root ball removal (55,350 count), debris chipping and spreading (79,950 cubic yards), oversized biomass management (24,600 cubic yards), herbicide ground treatment (106 acres), aerial herbicide treatment (646 acres), and mowing/brush cutting (515 acres).

Technical submittals must not exceed 50 pages and include detailed management plans covering mechanical treatment, herbicide applications (ground and aerial), calibration and drift management, environmental and cultural compliance, waste and fuel handling, contractor safety and health, quality assurance and recordkeeping, site use, training qualifications, past performance documentation, and operational schedules. Contractors must designate a supervisor with three years of relevant experience. Work must comply with Endangered Species Act restrictions for Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (May 1–August 31 nesting window) and Western Yellow-Billed Cuckoo (June 1–September 30 nesting window), Migratory Bird Treaty Act protocols, National Historic Preservation Act/Archaeological Resources Protection Act requirements, and FAA Part 137 compliance for aerial operations. Service Contract Act prevailing wage rates apply across New Mexico, ranging from $13.75 to $26.81 per hour plus $5.55 per hour fringe benefits. Evaluation criteria include technical approach, past performance, qualifications, work schedule and risk management, and price, with price reasonableness assessed against current market conditions and an Independent Government Cost Estimate.