Ground Clearing and Root Raking
Closed Solicitation Posted
This opportunity was awarded. See the award notice from .
- Solicitation number
- 12444825Q0015
- Agency
- Forest Service Department of Agriculture
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- Total Small Business
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 561730 Landscaping Services
- Place of performance
- Delaware, Ohio 43015, United States
- Points of contact
-
- Christopher Hamilton christopher.j.hamilton@usda.gov (479) 209-3841
- Patrick Jones patrick.jones2@usda.gov (740) 368-0062
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The USDA Forest Service is procuring ground clearing and root raking services to prepare 9.5 acres of land at the Northern Research Station in Delaware, Ohio, for planting ash trees that have survived emerald ash borer infestation. The project aims to support the development of pest-resistant tree seeds for reforestation and restoration efforts, with seeds to be distributed to private and public nurseries including Forest Service facilities. Contractors must have heavy equipment capabilities including bulldozers, forestry mulchers, and stump grinders to remove trees, brush, roots, and stumps from three designated areas. The evaluation will follow a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) approach, assessing technical capability through contractor resumes, capability statements, and experience questionnaires. A mandatory site visit was conducted on September 16, 2025, with quotations due by September 21, 2025, at 2359 EDT and electronic submissions required to the designated contracting officer.
This solicitation is set aside exclusively for small businesses under NAICS code 561730 (Landscaping Services) with a size standard of $9.5 million in annual receipts. No incumbent contractors or current service providers are identified in the solicitation materials. While specific award values or budget ranges are not disclosed in the available documentation, the contract will be awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis with no progress payments, requiring full payment upon project completion through the U.S. Treasury's Invoicing Processing Platform. The period of performance extends from October 1, 2025, through January 29, 2026, providing contractors with a four-month window to complete the land clearing operations. All work will be performed at the Forest Service's Northern Research Station facility located at 359 Main Road, Delaware, Ohio, with the Forest Service coordinating necessary infrastructure improvements including driveway culvert construction to facilitate equipment access.
Notice text
3 versions
Update #3 · Latest ·
***** UPDATED NOTICE *****
9/18/2025
Questions and Answers from NRS Delaware site visit on September 16, 2025.
Q1. Will there be another site visit scheduled prior to offers due?
A1. No.
Q2. How will (the contractor) be paid?
A2. No progress payments. The contractor is to invoice at the completion of the job. The contractor is to submit their invoice electronically through the U.S. Treasury site, Invoicing Processing Platform (IPP). In addition to the electronic submission the contractor must submit/attach an itemized “hard copy” invoice to the eInvoice created on that platform. Customer Service is available via IPP to assist the contractor. https://www.ipp.gov/
Q3. What if the work cannot be completed due to weather or other unforeseen calamities during the period of performance?
A3. The Contracting Officer (CO) will consider all issues and has the ability to modify the period of performance if it is warranted.
Q4. Is the contractor responsible for felling the large tree in area/plot #2?
A4. No, the Forest Service (USFS) cut down the tree after the site visit on 9/16/2025. The contractor will be required to remove the stump in accordance with (IAW) the Statement of Work (SOW).
Q5. Some entry/exit points appear to be small and moving large equipment into the area may be difficult. How is (the contractor) going to enter/exit these small points?
A5. Prior to moving equipment into these areas or other areas where the contractor has concerns, the contractor must contact the Contracting Officer Representative (COR). The COR will make themself available to assist and/or advise on another course of action for equipment movement. Additionally, the USFS will be constructing a driveway culvert at entry/exit point in area/plot #3. This construction will require local township and/or city coordination. The USFS will coordinate all driveway culvert requirements with the proper authorities. The contractor is not responsible for this task.
Q6. Where can (the contractor) stage their equipment?
A6. The contractor must contact the COR prior to unloading/offloading all equipment that will be staged at all work sites (area/plots #1, #2, and #3). Tentative areas have been identified for possible staging but could change due to weather conditions or other unforeseen issues.
Q7. If certain debris cannot be mulched, what should be done about it?
A7. The contractor will be permitted to move and pile all debris to the center of the work area/plot to be burned. Igniting the burn piles will only be performed weather permitting and if no burn bans are in place. The contractor must follow all safety and ordnance/regulations when burning a debris pile.
If the contractor cannot burn debris piles due to bans and/or weather, the contractor must coordinate with the COR. The USFS will take factors into consideration and a decision at the USFS level will be made.
Q8. What are the requirements for the contractor regarding their crew?
A8. Contractor shall coordinate with COR on daily check-in and check-out procedures. Additionally, the contractor is responsible for the safety and well-being of their crew(s). The contractor should follow OSHA requirements by complying with all standards to ensure a safe work environment. At a minimum, the contractor should have two (2) employees working in tandem (worker/spotter) while conducting removal/raking operations at NRS Delaware.
<END>
***************************************************************************************
*****AMENDMENT 0001*******
09/10/2025
The purpose of this amendment is to establish a specific time for the site visit at NRS Delaware, 359 Main Rd., Delaware,
Ohio, 43015.
Amendment 0001 can be found in the attachment section of this notice.
***************************************************************************************
The purpose of this requirement is to conduct site preparation (clear trees, roots and stumps) for planting ash trees that have survived emerald ash borer. Seeds from these trees will be used to develop pest resistant tree seeds for reforestation and restoration of this economical and ecologically important tree species. Seeds will be provided to private and public nurseries including Forest Service nurseries.
Update #2 ·
*****AMENDMENT 0001*******
09/10/2025
The purpose of this amendment is to establish a specific time for the site visit at NRS Delaware, 359 Main Rd., Delaware,
Ohio, 43015.
Amendment 0001 can be found in the attachment section of this notice.
***************************************************************************************
The purpose of this requirement is to conduct site preparation (clear trees, roots and stumps) for planting ash trees that have survived emerald ash borer. Seeds from these trees will be used to develop pest resistant tree seeds for reforestation and restoration of this economical and ecologically important tree species. Seeds will be provided to private and public nurseries including Forest Service nurseries.
Update #1 ·
The purpose of this requirement is to conduct site preparation (clear trees, roots and stumps) for planting ash trees that have survived emerald ash borer. Seeds from these trees will be used to develop pest resistant tree seeds for reforestation and restoration of this economical and ecologically important tree species. Seeds will be provided to private and public nurseries including Forest Service nurseries.
Attachments
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Sol_12444825Q0015_Amd_0001_CO Signed.pdf | ||
| Sol_12444825Q0015_FINAL4SAM_090825.pdf |
Notice history
| Notice | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Clearing and Root Raking | Award Notice | |
| Ground Clearing and Root Raking | Solicitation | |
| Ground Clearing and Root Raking | Pre-Solicitation |
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