Harvest of Ash Trees within the Infested Area of Emerald Ash Borer

The USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) is soliciting a contractor to perform tree removal, bucking, disposal, transportation, and loading services for ash trees infested with Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) across three Wisconsin locations. The primary objective is to acquire EAB beetles from harvested trees to maintain biological control production, with bark integrity maintained throughout all harvesting and storage operations. Key requirements include employing an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist or State Master Logger Certification holder, obtaining all necessary permits and licenses, maintaining adequate crew staffing to support the harvest schedule, and complying with all federal, state, and local regulations including OSHA and Wisconsin safety requirements. Award will be made on a firm-fixed-price basis to the lowest technically acceptable offeror with fair and reasonable pricing and acceptable or neutral past performance, with evaluation based on technical approach, price, and past performance. The proposal submission deadline is February 13, 2026, with technical questions due by February 12, 2026 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time to Latisha.a.Hollmann@usda.gov.

This opportunity is designated as a Total Small Business set-aside with no identified incumbent contractor. The contract encompasses 384 total marked trees across three sites: Scharine Property in Fox Crossing (157 trees, average 9 inches diameter), Winnebago Community Park in Oshkosh (151 trees, average 15 inches diameter), and Winter Park in Kewaunee (76 trees, average 11 inches diameter), with harvested trees transported to government facilities in Howell, Michigan and Brighton, Michigan. Work must be completed by March 1, 2026, with the completion date extended by the number of calendar days after January 2, 2026 that notice of award is received. The contract structure includes a base period covering the two primary sites and two option periods for additional work at those locations, not exceeding one year total duration. Specific award value is not disclosed in the solicitation materials, and all costs including equipment, labor, supervision, environmental protection, and safety compliance are included in firm-fixed unit prices submitted by offerors.