USFS REGION 1, Vegetative Material Collection IDIQ

The USFS anticipates awarding a performance based, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for region-wide vegetation materials collection. It will be a base plus 4 option years contract with multiple awards. The work includes but is not limited to scion, pollen, and cone collection, some cone caging, and all other incidental items necessary to complete project Task Orders in accordance with the plans and specifications for various species such as White Bark Pine, White Pine, Western Larch, Ponderosa Pine, Lodge Pole Pine, Douglas-fir, and Engelmann Spruce.

Trees to survey or collect vegetative materials from are located throughout Region 1 of the USFS. Three zones have been established as follows:
• Zone 1 - Flathead, Helena, Lewis & Clark, & Kootenai National Forests
• Zone 2 - Lolo, Bitterroot, Beaverhead-Deerlodge, & Custer Gallatin National Forests
• Zone 3 - Idaho Panhandle & Nez-Perce Clearwater National Forests

Specific trees will be identified by the USFS in individual Task Orders. In general, trees are located near roads; the exception is whitebark pine (WBP) which may be up to 2-3 miles from a drivable road.

The work is estimated to begin June, 2018. Collection times for vegetation materials varies as follows:
• Scion Collection - late February
• Pollen Collection - between March 15th and July 31st
• Cone Caging - mid June
• Cone Collection - to be determined by Governement

There will be some specialized hourly services which include: Cone Collection within Tree Improvement Areas (TIAs); Tree Topping within TIAs; and Pollen Collection within TIAs. Additional tasks may be requested outside of the TIAs and will require a point of hire location to be negotiated between the Contractor and the Government. These tasks include: Weeding Genetic Tests; Measuring Genetic Tests; and Vegetative Collections from Non-coniferous Species which may include surveying populations for seed production and ripeness, collecting seeds, collection cuttings, etc. The Contractor will be paid for actual hours worked, recorded to the nearest quarter hour excluding workers' down time and lunch breaks.

This procurement is being set-aside 100% for small business. Contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, supplies (other than for those listed as Government-furnished items) and supervision necessary to complete all required services.

The North American Industry Classification System Code for this acquisition is 113210, Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products. The Small Business size standard is average annual sales and receipts for the past three years that are less than $11.0 Million dollars.

The US Forest Service anticipates issuing the solicitation for this acquisition around April 2018. The solicitation package will include all maps and specifications and should be downloaded from this website at that time. The point of contact for this solicitation is Estyn Kevitt, ekevitt@fs.fed.us USDA Forest Service, Northern Region Acquisition Management, 3815 N. Schreiber Way, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815