Styroblocks Seedling Containers, ENF Placerville Nursery
Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- 1160592-1
- Agency
-
Forest Service
Department of Agriculture
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- Total Small Business
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 326140 Polystyrene Foam Product Manufacturing
- Place of performance
- Camino, California, United States
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The U.S. Forest Service has issued a Sources Sought Notice under FAR Part 10 to identify domestic manufacturers or distributors capable of supplying expanded polystyrene (EPS) seedling-growing containers that meet specific technical and equipment compatibility requirements. The procurement seeks containers that can integrate seamlessly with existing Gleason Seedling Popper extraction equipment used at USFS nurseries, as previous trials with similar products resulted in failed extraction and operational disruptions. Key technical requirements include EPS material suitable for multiyear reuse with minimal root penetration, three cavity configurations (91-cavity, 112-cavity, and 45-cavity blocks) with precise dimensional specifications, and drainhole geometry compatible with the Forest Service's specialized extraction equipment. This notice supports the government's evaluation of whether a nonavailability waiver under Made in America requirements may be necessary. Responses are due by March 12, 2026, with this notice posted on March 9, 2026. It is important to note that this is not a formal solicitation and no award will result from this notice; it serves exclusively as a market research tool.
This procurement is designated as a Total Small Business set-aside, restricting competition to small business entities. The notice does not identify any current contractors or incumbents, nor does it specify award values or budget ranges, as this is preliminary market research rather than an active solicitation. The government actively encourages equal or equivalent products that meet the salient characteristics, indicating flexibility in manufacturing approaches provided functional compatibility with USFS equipment is maintained. No specific quantity requirements are stated in this pre-solicitation notice; the focus is on confirming U.S. manufacturing capability to support the Forest Service's seasonal and biological constraints for seedling production operations.
Notice text
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
Original Post: 03/09/2026
Modification Post 1: 03/09/2026, Corrects the PSC from 8115 to 8145.
DESCRIPTION
This Sources Sought Notice (SSN) is issued under FAR Part 10 to determine whether any U.S. domestic manufacturers or distributors can supply expanded polystyrene (EPS) seedling‑growing containers that meet the technical and equipment‑compatibility requirements used within U.S. Forest Service (USFS) nurseries.
This is NOT a solicitation, and no award will be made from this notice.
The Government is seeking information from vendors capable of providing products that meet the salient characteristics below. Equal products are encouraged for review.
This notice supports the Forest Service’s evaluation of whether a nonavailability waiver under Made in America requirements may be necessary.
BACKGROUND
USFS nurseries rely on molded EPS blocks with precise geometric and functional characteristics. Prior trials of “similar” containers that did not match the pattern/layout required for the nurseries’ plug‑extraction equipment resulted in failed extraction and unacceptable operational impacts.
This SSN seeks to confirm whether any U.S.‑based manufacturer can produce EPS containers that are dimensionally and functionally compatible with Forest Service extraction equipment to ensure successful seedling production within limited biological and seasonal timeframes.
SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS (Equal products encouraged)
1) Material
• EPS (expanded polystyrene) or equivalent durability suitable for multi‑year reuse
• Minimize root penetration; maintain structural integrity through multiple extraction cycles
2) Dimensions/Configurations (families or equivalents)
• EPS blocks approx. 14" × 24" × 6"
– 91‑cavity (~1.5" diameter; ~7.9 in³ per cavity)
– 112‑cavity (~1.4" diameter; ~6.6 in³ per cavity)
– 45‑cavity (~2.4" diameter; ~20.5 in³ per cavity)
3) Pattern/Drain‑hole Geometry & Equipment Compatibility
• Block pattern and drain‑hole layout must be geometrically compatible with Gleason
• Seedling Popper extraction equipment used at USFS nurseries
• Trays need to have flexibility and root penetration to accommodate seedling growth and root dept
• Vendors shall provide drawings/specifications demonstrating extraction compatibility
4) Trays/Cone-tainers (if offered)
• Cone‑tainers (e.g., Ray Leach‑type or equivalent): approx. 1.5" diameter × 8.25" depth × ~10 in³
• Compatible tray dimensions approx.: 24" × 12" × 6.75"
5) Packaging & Delivery
• FOB Destination: Placerville Nursery, Camino, CA
• One‑week pre‑delivery notification preferred
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (≤3 pages, PDF preferred)
Vendors are requested to provide a brief capability statement (PDF preferred, ≤3 pages) addressing:
- Product Capability considers the ability to manufacture or supply EPS blocks that meet the dimensions, cavity structure, and drain‑hole/pattern‑compatibility requirements above. Please provide drawings, datasheets, photographs, or engineering documentation.
- Manufacturing Location must identify the location of manufacture for each product (required for Made in America review).
- NAICS Confirmation must confirm whether NAICS 326140 (or the acceptable alternate applicable NAICS of 326199) is appropriate for your product line.
- Delivery Capability & Lead Times must be provided to ensure that the USFS is able to meet the biological timeline requirements.
- SAM.gov Status must state whether the firm has an active registration in SAM.gov (registration is required to respond to a solicitation but not required to respond to this SSN).
Update #1 ·
DESCRIPTION
This Sources Sought Notice (SSN) is issued under FAR Part 10 to determine whether any U.S. domestic manufacturers or distributors can supply expanded polystyrene (EPS) seedling‑growing containers that meet the technical and equipment‑compatibility requirements used within U.S. Forest Service (USFS) nurseries.
This is NOT a solicitation, and no award will be made from this notice.
The Government is seeking information from vendors capable of providing products that meet the salient characteristics below. Equal products are encouraged for review.
This notice supports the Forest Service’s evaluation of whether a nonavailability waiver under Made in America requirements may be necessary.
BACKGROUND
USFS nurseries rely on molded EPS blocks with precise geometric and functional characteristics. Prior trials of “similar” containers that did not match the pattern/layout required for the nurseries’ plug‑extraction equipment resulted in failed extraction and unacceptable operational impacts.
This SSN seeks to confirm whether any U.S.‑based manufacturer can produce EPS containers that are dimensionally and functionally compatible with Forest Service extraction equipment to ensure successful seedling production within limited biological and seasonal timeframes.
SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS (Equal products encouraged)
1) Material
• EPS (expanded polystyrene) or equivalent durability suitable for multi‑year reuse
• Minimize root penetration; maintain structural integrity through multiple extraction cycles
2) Dimensions/Configurations (families or equivalents)
• EPS blocks approx. 14" × 24" × 6"
– 91‑cavity (~1.5" diameter; ~7.9 in³ per cavity)
– 112‑cavity (~1.4" diameter; ~6.6 in³ per cavity)
– 45‑cavity (~2.4" diameter; ~20.5 in³ per cavity)
3) Pattern/Drain‑hole Geometry & Equipment Compatibility
• Block pattern and drain‑hole layout must be geometrically compatible with Gleason
• Seedling Popper extraction equipment used at USFS nurseries
• Trays need to have flexibility and root penetration to accommodate seedling growth and root dept
• Vendors shall provide drawings/specifications demonstrating extraction compatibility
4) Trays/Cone-tainers (if offered)
• Cone‑tainers (e.g., Ray Leach‑type or equivalent): approx. 1.5" diameter × 8.25" depth × ~10 in³
• Compatible tray dimensions approx.: 24" × 12" × 6.75"
5) Packaging & Delivery
• FOB Destination: Placerville Nursery, Camino, CA
• One‑week pre‑delivery notification preferred
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (≤3 pages, PDF preferred)
Vendors are requested to provide a brief capability statement (PDF preferred, ≤3 pages) addressing:
- Product Capability considers the ability to manufacture or supply EPS blocks that meet the dimensions, cavity structure, and drain‑hole/pattern‑compatibility requirements above. Please provide drawings, datasheets, photographs, or engineering documentation.
- Manufacturing Location must identify the location of manufacture for each product (required for Made in America review).
- NAICS Confirmation must confirm whether NAICS 326140 (or the acceptable alternate applicable NAICS of 326199) is appropriate for your product line.
- Delivery Capability & Lead Times must be provided to ensure that the USFS is able to meet the biological timeline requirements.
- SAM.gov Status must state whether the firm has an active registration in SAM.gov (registration is required to respond to a solicitation but not required to respond to this SSN).
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