NNIS Control (Blue Morel & Cicada)- Hoosier National Forest, IN

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service seeks non-native invasive species control services for Blue Morel and Cicada infestations at Hoosier National Forest in Indiana, with proposals due September 28, 2026, at 1:00 PM Central Time and questions due September 24. This is a Total Small Business set-aside.

Place of performance is Bedford, Indiana 47421. The NAICS code is 115310, Support Activities for Forestry; PSC code is F018, Natural Resources/Conservation–Other Forest/Range Improvements (Non-Construction).

The solicitation encompasses two invasive species projects: Blue Morel control across six line items totaling 64.5 acres (30 acres base, five option line items ranging from 2.6 to 11.9 acres), and Cicada control across four line items totaling 39.5 acres (22 acres base, three option line items ranging from 3.5 to 8 acres). Quantities may be reduced by 20 percent due to fund availability. The period of performance runs October 12, 2026, through May 31, 2027. All mandatory CLINs must be priced; option items must be priced to be considered but funding is not guaranteed at award.

Work includes cutting woody shrub and vine infestations greater than five feet tall and applying EPA-approved herbicides to cut stumps and foliar treatments using selective or non-selective herbicides. Performance standards require a minimum 90 percent kill rate with no more than 5 percent non-target plant mortality. The contractor must provide all labor, equipment, materials, herbicides, PPE, permits, licenses, and transportation; comply with Service Contract Act prevailing wage rates for Indiana; and maintain detailed daily treatment logs.

The prime contractor or performing subcontractor must hold current Indiana commercial pesticide applicator certification (Category 2 for forest applications, Category 5 for aquatic applications) and the Indiana State Chemist Pesticide Business License. All on-site herbicide applicators must be registered technicians with immediate voice communication access to a licensed supervisor. The contractor must complete Exhibits A and B addressing financial responsibility and past performance, holding prices firm for 90 calendar days.

Evaluation uses lowest price technically acceptable criteria; only the lowest priced offer is evaluated for technical acceptability initially, with evaluation continuing in price order if ratings are unacceptable. Award will be a firm-fixed-price purchase order to a single contractor. A Questions and Answers document has been added as an attachment addressing submission requirements, licensing clarification, and confirmation that this is a new requirement with no incumbent.