Priority Management Area Forest Inventory for Hoosier National Forest

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service is seeking a contractor to perform comprehensive forest inventory services for the Hoosier National Forest in Indiana, specifically involving the location, establishment, measurement, and recording of survey plot data across five priority management areas. The work encompasses both common stand exam (CSE) plots and ground cover plots, requiring detailed data collection including tree species identification, diameter measurements, overstory and understory assessment, and ground cover percentage documentation. The contractor must demonstrate experience with hand-held GPS technology, GIS applications, and forest inventory methodologies, with field work to be conducted during summer months between mid-June and mid-September. The contract will be awarded on a best value basis, evaluating past performance, experience, method to accomplish work, and price, with quality standards requiring at least 90% accurate species identification during government inspections. Proposals are due by October 6, 2025 at 11:00 AM ET, with a performance period extending from April 6, 2026 to September 11, 2026.

This solicitation is designated as a total small business set-aside under NAICS code 115310 with a size standard of $11.5 million, and no current incumbents or contractors are identified in the documentation. The contract involves a total of 1,117 inventory plots across multiple ranger districts, with a base award covering 493 plots in Oil Creek and Potts Creek locations, and optional line items for an additional 624 plots in Hemlock Cliffs, Buzzards Roost, and Browning Hill areas pending available funding. The work will be performed in Bedford, Indiana, specifically within the Brownstown and Tell City Ranger Districts of the Hoosier National Forest. The contract structure includes eight separate contract line items (CLINs), with the base contract covering initial plot requirements and optional items subject to funding availability. While specific contract values are not disclosed in the solicitation materials, the comprehensive scope includes detailed field guide protocols, wage determinations for forestry technicians, and extensive mapping documentation covering the various project areas.