Fertilization Services at Ninemile Ranger District

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service is soliciting offers for fertilization services at the Ninemile Ranger District through Request for Quotation (RFQ) 1284LM26Q0033. The requirement involves supplying and applying pelletized fertilizer to 237 acres of hayfield divided into ten fenced field locations at the Ninemile Ranger Station in the Lolo National Forest. The fertilizer must meet a specific 70-20-20-15 blend ratio for Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium-Sulfur, applied at a rate of 250 pounds of complete pelletized fertilizer per acre, with delivery and application required between April 1st and May 1st, 2026, weather permitting. Evaluation will be based on relevant experience, past performance (assessed on recency, relevancy, and quality), and price, with award going to the offeror providing best value to the Government. Offerors must submit questions by February 27, 2026 at 12:00 PM Pacific Time, with offers due by March 4, 2026 at 5:00 PM Mountain Time via email to Andrea Haines (andrea.haines@usda.gov). Pricing must be submitted per acre for the single contract line item, and prices must remain firm for 30 calendar days from the offer receipt date.

This procurement is set aside exclusively for small business concerns under NAICS code 115112 (Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating) with a $9.5 million size standard. No incumbent contractor is identified in the solicitation materials. The specific budget or award value is not disclosed in the available documents, though the requirement encompasses fertilizing 237 acres with application rates of 70 pounds of Nitrogen, 20 pounds of Phosphorus, 20 pounds of Potassium, and 15 pounds of Sulfur per acre. The work will be performed at the Ninemile Ranger Station, located at 20325 Remount Road, Huson, Montana 59846, during operating hours of 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Offerors must have an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration, provide their UEI number, and comply with Service Contract Labor Standards, including a specified tractor operator wage rate of $22.61 per hour. The Government anticipates awarding a firm-fixed price purchase order to a single offeror and indicates this is an ongoing contract with anticipated continuation in future years with minimal acreage adjustments.