FY25 Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests Gopher Baiting

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service is seeking a contractor to provide gopher baiting services to reduce Northern Rocky Mountain Pocket Gopher populations across the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests in Idaho. The contractor must furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, and materials to effectively apply strychnine-based bait below ground surface in gopher burrows across 1,173.5 total acres divided into multiple treatment units. The work involves using steam-rolled oat groats with molasses and 0.5% strychnine, requiring compliance with Idaho pesticide application laws and strict safety protocols. Payment will be based on the quality of baiting work, with full payment for 90% or higher quality performance and prorated payment for 70-89% quality, while work below 70% quality must be reworked at the contractor's expense. The solicitation was posted on May 29, 2025, with quotations due by June 11, 2025 at 4:30 PM PST, and all work must be completed by July 31, 2025.

This opportunity is designated as a Total Small Business set-aside under NAICS code 115310 (Support Activities for Forestry) with a size standard of $11.5 million in annual revenue. The work will be performed across three zones within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests: North Fork, Central Zone, and Palouse, with the primary place of performance listed as Kamiah, Idaho. The project encompasses multiple treatment units ranging from 3.3 to 133 acres each, with specific spacing requirements of either 10x10 or 12x12 feet depending on the unit. The contractor must also comply with Idaho workers' compensation insurance requirements and follow detailed fire control protocols due to the forest environment. The solicitation includes comprehensive mapping documents showing the precise locations of all 22 treatment units across elevations ranging from 2,000 to 5,190 feet, with various terrain aspects and slope percentages detailed for each area.