VA-great dismal swamp NWR-pocosin mgmt - fire - BI

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is procuring hazard fuel reduction services at the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Suffolk, Virginia, specifically for chipping and mastication of previously cut and bundled trees across 126 acres within the C3 block of the refuge. The project involves forest management and habitat enhancement activities designed to create a healthy, open pine stand while protecting endangered species habitat, particularly red-cockaded woodpecker habitat trees, using specialized low ground pressure equipment to minimize soil disturbance in the sensitive peat soil ecosystem. Contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM), provide at least three references from work completed within the last five years, submit detailed equipment lists with specifications, and demonstrate satisfactory past performance ratings through CPARS/FAPIIS review. The solicitation has been amended to use a Best Value evaluation methodology, assessing technical experience, past experience, and price factors. Questions must be submitted in writing to the contracting officer by September 5, 2025, with quotes due by September 22, 2025 at 3:00 PM EST.

This procurement is designated as a Total Small Business set-aside under NAICS code 115310 (Support Activities for Forestry) with a size standard of $34 million, and no incumbent contractors are identified in the documentation. The contract performance period spans from September 12, 2025 to December 19, 2025, with work specifically focused on the 126-acre area requiring chipping and mastication services, including road maintenance costs incorporated into the pricing structure. The project is part of a broader habitat management initiative to restore and maintain fire-adapted pocosin ecosystems, which encompass approximately 17% of the refuge's total area. Work must be completed between August 18, 2025 and December 18, 2025, with strict adherence to environmental conservation protocols and endangered species protection guidelines throughout the operation. The place of performance is the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge located in Suffolk, Virginia, extending into North Carolina, where contractors will work within the designated C3 block area using specialized equipment designed for sensitive wetland environments.