Grindstone herbicide weeds treatment

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Nevada Region is seeking a small business contractor to perform herbicide weed treatment on approximately 1,917 acres in Elko County, Nevada. The project involves ground-based herbicide application targeting noxious weeds, specifically Scotch thistle, across varied terrain including hills, mountain slopes, and drainages with elevations ranging from 5,200 to 6,700 feet. Contractors must be a licensed Nevada Professional Applicator with Agricultural Ground (B2) Pesticide Category certification and provide comprehensive GPS-tracked application services using approved herbicides and adjuvants. The evaluation will be conducted using a best-value trade-off process, with technical capabilities and past performance weighted more heavily than price. Proposals must include details on proposed timeline, number of employees/crews, acres treated per day, equipment specifications, quality control plan, safety protocols, and key personnel qualifications, with quotes to be submitted electronically to Matthew Merritt by March 31, 2025.

The contract is set aside exclusively for small businesses under NAICS code 115310 with an $11.5 million size standard. The performance period for the project is from June 2, 2025 to July 18, 2025, during which contractors will apply herbicide mixes including 2,4-D and Chlorsulfuron with a non-ionic surfactant and dye. The treatment will be conducted in two primary methods: a Terrestrial Tank Mix covering 1,890 acres and a Water's Edge Tank Mix for 27 acres near water boundaries. Contractors must navigate challenging landscape conditions, including dense Utah juniper, pinyon pine forestlands, and Wyoming sagebrush, with terrain featuring steep slopes ranging from 15-60%. The place of performance is the Elko District in Nevada, specifically targeting areas around Grindstone Mountain and Pinon Mountains, with payment contingent upon treating 95% of target species within designated project areas.