NY-montezuma NWR-herbicide application

The Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking a qualified contractor to perform herbicide application services at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in New York and Erie National Wildlife Refuge in Pennsylvania. The primary objective is to control Common Reed (Phragmites australis) through aerial herbicide application across approximately 155 total acres, with the goal of restoring high-quality freshwater emergent marsh habitat. Contractors must possess a valid commercial pesticide applicator license and be capable of performing foliar application of aquatic-approved herbicides between August 1-September 20, 2025. The evaluation will focus on technical capabilities, past performance, performance guarantees, and pricing, with technical factors weighted more significantly than price. Key submission deadlines include a mandatory site visit on April 23-24, 2025, and a quote submission deadline of April 30, 2025, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time, with an anticipated award date of May 15, 2025.

The solicitation is designated as a Total Small Business set-aside, with a $9.5 million size standard under NAICS code 115112 for Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating. The contract requires a minimum 85% kill rate of common reed by July 2026 and mandates comprehensive reporting of chemical usage, treatment areas, and GPS data. Contractors will be expected to minimize ground disturbance and maintain wetland integrity during treatment. The contract includes base and option periods for aerial herbicide application, with delivery and performance periods spanning from August 2025 to October 2026. Wage rates will be governed by the Service Contract Act, with workers required to be paid at least $17.75 per hour and receive additional benefits including health and welfare provisions. The project will be executed across specific marsh areas: approximately 130 acres at Montezuma's Hidden Marsh and up to 25 acres at Erie's Mill and Cooper's Marshes in New York and Pennsylvania.