NC-alligator RIV NWR- fuel breaks

The Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service seeks hazardous fuel reduction services—specifically mastication of five fuel breaks totaling 31.3 acres across approximately 5.36 miles at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge near Manteo, North Carolina—with quotes due July 8, 2026. This is a Total Small Business set-aside under NAICS 115310, Support Activities for Forestry.

Place of performance is Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, Manteo, North Carolina. Work encompasses five distinct treatment areas: Mashoes Ditch Bank (2.2 acres, 20-foot width), Mashoes Marsh (10.0 acres, 50-foot width), Manns Harbor (10.3 acres, 85-foot width), South Stumpy Point (2.9 acres, 40-foot width), and Parched Corn Bay A (5.9 acres, 40-foot width). All vegetation, logs, and stumps must be masticated to ground level with debris and chip piles maintained at 6 inches or less. Work is scheduled to begin no earlier than July 16, 2026 and conclude by December 15, 2026. Contractors must bid on cost-per-acre basis and total project cost; award will be based on cost-per-acre pricing if funds are insufficient for the full scope.

The previous contract (140FS323P0179) was awarded to Vieth's Land Management Company, LLP for $341,400. Evaluation emphasizes technical experience, capacity to perform hazardous fuel reduction at this scale and location, technical approach and methodology, management plan with identified key personnel and subcontractors, and past performance—combined more heavily than price. Offerors must provide SF 1449 forms, SAM.gov Unique Entity Identifier, technical capability evidence, and up to three past performance references with at least two valid references per project. Service Contract Act wage determination 2015-4407 applies. The Government anticipates award by July 20, 2026.