Or-hart MTN-NTL antelope REF pine strg

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking a small business contractor to provide pinecone storage, processing, and grow-out services at the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge in Oregon. The solicitation (140FS325Q0069) requires collecting approximately 15 bushels of ponderosa pine cones from the refuge in late August or early September 2025, with subsequent storage, processing, and seed extraction. The contractor will be responsible for extracting over 43,000 seeds and growing healthy seedlings in 1+0 containers over a two-year period. Evaluation of potential contractors will be based on technical capabilities, past experience, and pricing, with the contract award going to the lowest responsive and responsible vendor. Quotes are due by April 30, 2025, at 3:00 PM EDT, with a contract performance period from August 1, 2025, to September 30, 2027.

The procurement is a 100% small business set-aside under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Parts 12 and 13, with a small business size standard of $3 million for the Nursery and Tree Production NAICS code 111421. The place of performance will be at the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge in Oregon, with specific work involving pinecone handling, seed extraction, and seedling growth and maintenance. Contractors will be expected to deliver healthy seedlings in fall 2027, with the project focusing on precise agricultural and nursery production techniques. While specific award value is not explicitly stated, the contract will cover the comprehensive process of collecting, processing, and growing ponderosa pine seedlings. The solicitation requires detailed past performance documentation, including three contract references completed within the past three years, to verify the contractor's capability and experience in similar botanical production projects.