Vegetative Survey, District 14, BIA, Ft. Defiance

The Bureau of Indian Affairs Navajo Region seeks a vegetative survey of District 14 at Ft. Defiance Agency in Arizona, with proposals due August 28, 2026. The procurement is set aside 100 percent for Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEEs) under the Buy Indian Act.

Place of performance is Ft. Defiance, Arizona. The contractor must conduct a comprehensive vegetation survey across 553,009 acres divided into five grazing range units (Naschitii, Tohatchi, Coyote Canyon, Mexican Spring, and Twin Lake) to determine carrying capacities and stocking rates in compliance with Navajo Grazing Regulation 25 CFR 167.6. The survey requires collection and compilation of forage production data from 1,000 transects using double sampling methodology, with field data collection to begin in July 2025. The contractor must establish 9.6 square-foot plots every 10 paces along 200-foot transects, estimate vegetation production by species, clip and weigh harvested samples, and record results in specified spreadsheet formats with GPS UTM coordinates.

The field supervisor or designated representative must hold a Bachelor of Science degree in range science, range ecology, plant biology, or related ecological sciences, with demonstrated land navigational skills and experience in isolated terrain work. The contractor must provide all necessary personnel, equipment (GPS units, scales, sampling frames, clippers, vehicles, drying capability), transportation, and materials.

Period of performance runs September 21, 2026, through September 30, 2027. Deliverables include original transect production data sheets, a final report with District 14 map showing carrying capacity in sheep units per year, and six copies each of the final report and digital CD copies. The contract is Firm-Fixed-Price. NAICS code is 562910 (Remediation Services) with a small business size standard of $25 million. Evaluation prioritizes technical approach and past performance combined as significantly more important than cost. Offerors must submit a signed Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form and DIAR 1452.280-4 certification with their quotes or face disqualification. Questions are due August 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. MDT. Amendment 1, issued August 19, extended the response deadline from August 21 to August 28.