Indian River Canoe Trail Clearing

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service is soliciting quotations for clearing approximately 30.2 miles of the Indian River Canoe Trail in Hiawatha National Forest, Michigan, with quotations due June 21, 2026 at 11:00 PM Eastern and questions due June 14 at 11:00 PM Eastern. This is a Total Small Business Set-Aside; the small business size standard is $45 million.

Place of performance is Munising, Michigan. The contract structure consists of a base year from July 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027, followed by four optional one-year renewal periods through May 31, 2031. Work encompasses six trail segments totaling 29.2 miles, with clearing specifications of approximately 40 inches width and 40 inches height using flush cuts for safety. Large woody material submerged more than 12 inches below low water level shall not be removed. Live trees require Forest Service approval prior to cutting. Clearing operations are limited to the designated canoe trail only; when cutting is unsafe, contractors shall create a portage route and document instances with photographs and GPS coordinates. Chainsaws must be refueled at least 100 feet from the water's edge using bio-based bar oil; all spills or leaks must be reported immediately to the Contract Officer Representative and work must cease. Explosive devices are prohibited. The Forest Service will obtain the required Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) permit, which the contractor must carry and have available during operations.

Service Contract Labor Standards apply, with specified wage determinations for gardener ($20.48 plus fringe), laborer/grounds maintenance ($16.84 plus fringe), and pruner ($15.80 plus fringe) classifications at the Munising location. All quotations must include firm-fixed pricing for the base period and all option periods. Award will be made to the lowest priced, technically acceptable offer with acceptable or neutral past performance. Pricing must remain firm for 90 calendar days. All submissions must be emailed to Joshua Franks (joshua.franks@usda.gov); mailed or hard copy submissions and submissions through SAM.gov will not be accepted. The NAICS code is 237990, Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction.