In patoka river NWR timber stand improvement

The Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service seeks timber stand improvement services at Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge in Gibson County, Indiana, with quotations due August 17, 2026. The procurement is a 100% Total Small Business set-aside, firm-fixed pricing.

Work encompasses up to 130 acres across four tracts (BEL, 25 acres; Bruce, 25 acres; Grosheart, 35 acres; Hughes, 45 acres) located in Pike and Gibson Counties, Indiana. The contractor must remove competing woody vegetation impacting desirable tree plantings established between 2006 and 2016, releasing a minimum of 30 desirable trees per acre where available, or all remaining planted hardwoods and bald cypress where fewer than 30 trees per acre exist. Work methods include felling or double-girdling competing trees on all four sides of selected desirable trees, with undiluted triclopyr herbicide (Garlon 3a) applied to cut stumps or girdled areas. The contractor furnishes all labor, supervision, equipment, supplies (except herbicide), and herbicide reporting. Performance runs from October 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027, with work permitted 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CDT Monday through Friday and weekends with permission, excluding Federal holidays.

Bidders must submit separate pricing for each individual tract and one total overall bid on Standard Form 1449 and the fillable bid sheet, allowing the Refuge to select any combination of tracts. Site visits are encouraged; Heath Hamilton, Acting Refuge Manager, arranges visits at (812) 749-3199. If subcontractors are anticipated, their names must be disclosed with the quote submission for eligibility verification. Award goes to the contractor offering best value based on conformance to the statement of work (weighted more favorably than price), past experience, past performance, and price. Wage Determination No. 2015-4821 (Revision 32, effective May 13, 2026) applies. Quotations must remain firm for 60 calendar days from receipt. Contact Jeremy Riva, Contracting Officer, at jeremy_riva@ios.doi.gov or 303-535-4788.