Malheur NF Tree Planting

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service is soliciting proposals for hoedad planting of government-furnished coniferous tree seedlings across approximately 5,000 acres of mandatory reforestation (with up to 319 acres of optional work) on the Malheur National Forest in Oregon. The contractor must furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, and supplies except for seedlings, which will be government-provided as a mixture of approximately 90% bareroot and 10% container stock. Key contract requirements include achieving a minimum 90% planting quality standard verified through government inspections, maintaining crews of at least 12 planters with a minimum of two crews, ordering seedlings daily by 3:00 p.m. for next-day delivery, and transporting seedlings in refrigerated equipment maintaining 33-38 degrees Fahrenheit. Evaluation will be conducted on a best-value basis with descending importance placed on relevant past performance (from the past three years), experience in comparable geographical conditions, technical approach (including key personnel, crew size, equipment, and production rates), and price. Questions must be submitted by March 13, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time, with answers posted by March 19, 2026, and final proposals due April 1, 2026, at 10:00 p.m. Pacific Time as three separate attachments (Technical Capability, Past Performance, and Price).

This solicitation is designated as a Total Small Business set-aside with no identified incumbent contractors. The work will be performed from April 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026, across five primary project areas—Sand (410 acres), Rail Ridge (1,441 acres), EmiC (1,035 acres), HC (528 acres), and Saw (1,586 acres)—plus the optional YJ area (319 acres), all located in Grant and Harney Counties, Oregon, with the place of performance identified as John Day, Oregon. Planting specifications vary by unit with spacing requirements ranging from 13'x13' to 19'x19', species mixtures including ponderosa pine, douglas fir, and western larch, and mandatory 24-inch scalping for site preparation. Payment will be based on actual planting quality percentage achieved compared to government verification inspections, with full payment at 95% quality or above, partial payment for quality between 90-94%, and required replanting at no additional cost for units below 90% quality. Service Contract Labor Standards apply with tree planter wages established at $18.16 per hour plus 24.6% fringe benefits, and the contractor will be charged $0.68 per seedling for wasted, lost, or damaged seedlings.