Emerald Ash Borer Insecticide Treatments on the Allegheny National Forest

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service seeks quotations for emerald ash borer insecticide stem injection treatments on approximately 583 ash trees across the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania, with quotations due September 8, 2026. This is a Total Small Business Set-Aside with a small business size standard of $11.5 million, NAICS 115310.

Place of performance is Warren, Pennsylvania, with treatment areas distributed across two ranger districts. Trees requiring treatment are located at 10 recreation and administrative sites (approximately 66 stems) and 27 National Resource Study monitoring plots (approximately 517 stems) throughout the forest, identified on provided maps showing exact coordinates.

Contractor must treat trees using low-pressure stem injection of emamectin benzoate (Tree-age or equivalent) between May 15 and June 30, 2027, during appropriate soil and weather conditions. Injections must employ micro-injection techniques at depths of 5/8 to 1 5/8 inches, spaced 6 inches apart within 18 inches of tree base, with dosage determined by diameter at breast height per product label. A certified Pennsylvania Category 5 Forest Pest Control Applicator must be on-site during all application activities and must demonstrate tree identification skills and at least one year of pesticide application and forest pest management experience. Contractor furnishes all labor, materials, equipment, tools, transportation, insecticide, and supervision.

Compliance requirements include EPA Agricultural Worker Protection Standards (40 CFR Part 170), Pennsylvania pesticide applicator licensing, OSHA standards, stream protection (no injections within 100 feet of water sources), and proper chemical handling and spill prevention. Service Contract Labor Standards apply; prevailing wage for Forestry Technician is $33.65 base plus $14.13 fringe.

Six line items specify pricing by tree diameter class and location category (Item 0001–0003 for NRS study plots; 0004–0006 for recreation and administrative sites). Contractor must maintain daily treatment records, provide geospatial data in Microsoft Excel format upon completion, and complete all work by June 30, 2027. Award will be made to a single firm fixed-price contractor on best value considering technical approach, price reasonableness, and past performance. Amendment 1 revised attachments and clarified Item 0005 quantity as 22 units and evaluation criteria for tree injection and pest management experience.