FL-LWR suwannee NWR-tree planting

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking a small business contractor to provide tree planting services at the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge in Dixie County, Florida. This restoration project involves hand planting 60,000 containerized longleaf pine seedlings across 50 acres in eight sites within Compartments 6A and 6B, converting existing slash pine areas to longleaf pine habitat. Contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and demonstrate technical capability and past performance in similar forestry work. The procurement will utilize the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) evaluation method, assessing contractors based on technical capability, past performance, and pricing. However, the solicitation appears to have been cancelled according to Amendment 0001, which notes that an oral request was already posted and answered, though the original due date was September 8, 2025 at 3:00 PM EST.

This opportunity is designated as a total small business set-aside under NAICS code 111421 (Nursery and Tree Production) with a size standard of $3.25 million. The contract will be awarded as a firm fixed price arrangement with a performance period running from December 8, 2025 through February 6, 2026. Trees must be planted at a density of 1,200 trees per acre with 6' x 6' spacing, and the seedlings will be sourced from Meeks' Farm & Nursery in Georgia and delivered by the USFWS. Work must be performed during daylight hours Monday through Friday, with contractors required to provide five-day advance notice before planting and wear hunter safety orange during hunting season. The place of performance is specifically located at the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge in Dixie County, Florida, where the contractor will work under supervision of the Refuge Forester Daniel Barrand.