Umpqua NF, North Zone FY26 Winter Tree Planting

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Region 6 (Pacific Northwest Region), is soliciting quotations for hand tree planting and related services in the Umpqua National Forest's North Zone for Fiscal Year 2026. The contract requires furnishing labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, and supplies to plant approximately 164,780 seedlings across multiple units in the North Umpqua Ranger District. Key contract requirements include proper planting techniques with 90-99% of trees meeting specified quality standards, compliance with federal labor regulations including prevailing wage requirements, and adherence to fire suppression protocols and safety measures for winter weather conditions. Offerors will be evaluated on five factors: past performance, experience, quality control, work plan and crew management, and pricing, with evaluation conducted on a best-value basis where pricing is approximately equal in importance to the other factors. The deadline for submitting quotations is January 8, 2026, at 2:00 PM PST, and prospective bidders must submit questions no later than three days before the quotation deadline.

This is a Total Small Business Set-aside solicitation with NAICS code 115310 (Support Activities for Forestry) and a small business size standard of $11.5 million; no incumbent contractor information is provided in the solicitation materials. The contract involves planting 110,280 trees in post-fire units, 54,500 trees in brushed units, installing 12 stake rows, and providing animal browse protection for 10,000 trees, with a conditional line item for up to 60,000 additional seedlings subject to seedling availability and government discretion. Work is scheduled to begin January 20, 2025, with a project completion deadline of February 26, 2026, spanning 33 days of work during winter conditions. Contractors must provide proof of MSPA licensing, Oregon BOLI license, and H2B Temporary Employment certification, along with compliance with applicable wage determinations for forestry laborers ranging from $16.13 to $35.61 per hour. The place of performance is the Umpqua National Forest in Glide, Oregon, with planting sites primarily located along roads or within one-quarter mile hike, though some units may require travel greater than one-quarter mile from open roads under challenging winter weather conditions.