Smith/Paxton WRE Site Preparation Clark Co Illinois

The Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation is soliciting contractors for comprehensive site preparation work as part of the Smith/Paxton Wetland Reserve Easement project in Clark County, Illinois. The scope of work includes clearing and grubbing of trees, snags, logs, brush, stumps, shrubs, and debris from designated areas; site preparation for treatment; furnishing and placing seed, fertilizer, mulch, and soil amendments; excavation work to construct wetland sloughs and habitat mounds; and mobilization/demobilization of contractor forces and equipment. Contractors must adhere to NRCS standards for conservation practices and provide all labor, materials, equipment, and supervision necessary to complete the project according to specifications and engineering drawings. A mandatory site visit was scheduled for July 31, 2025, at the Martinsville Field Office, with contractor questions due by August 5, 2025, and quotes originally due by August 25, 2025, though Amendment 0001 extended the offer receipt deadline to August 7, 2025. The contract performance period runs from September 1, 2025, to October 16, 2025, providing a 45-calendar-day completion timeline including 13 designated weather days.

This procurement is designated as a 100% set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) under NAICS code 238910, requiring contractors to hold certified SDVOSB status to be eligible for award. The estimated contract value ranges between $100,000 and $250,000, with bonding requirements that vary based on the final contract amount - performance and payment bonds for contracts exceeding $150,000, or payment bonds and irrevocable letters of credit for contracts between $35,000 and $150,000. The work involves significant earthwork and vegetation management activities in floodplain conditions, with contractors responsible for protecting equipment during potential flood events as no soil borings are available for the site. All work must be performed in Clark County, Illinois, with safety personnel required on-site during construction who possess first aid training and equipment. Davis-Bacon Act prevailing wage rates apply to the project, with detailed wage determinations provided for various construction classifications across multiple Illinois counties.