VT-missisquoi NWR-invasive species contr

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking a qualified small business contractor to perform invasive species control services at the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge in Swanton, Vermont. The solicitation requires a Vermont Certified Pesticide Applicator (Category 2: Forestry) to apply herbicides to control specific invasive plant species including Phragmites, Yellow Iris, European buckthorn, and Honeysuckle across approximately 17 acres of forested habitat. Contractors must use Rodeo or comparable aquatic-registered herbicides and achieve 80% control of target species within one year, with work to be completed between July 15 and August 31, 2025. The evaluation will emphasize technical capabilities and past performance more heavily than price, with offerors required to demonstrate specific experience in invasive species remediation services similar in size and location. Quotes are due by March 12, 2025 at 12:00 PM ET, with an anticipated award date of April 1, 2025, and technical questions can be directed to Ken Sturm at 802-868-4781.

The contract is set aside exclusively for small businesses under NAICS code 115112 with a size standard of $9.5 million, and the previous contract was awarded to Greenleaf Forestry for $8,680.00. The specific work location is east of Tabor Road and south of Route 78 at the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, with treatment areas precisely mapped in the solicitation documents. Contractors will primarily use backpack sprayers, with limited ATV/UTV use allowed along field-forest edges, and must follow strict safety and environmental protocols including wind speed limitations and containment systems. The contractor must provide a detailed application plan within 10 days of award, maintain proper insurance and certifications, and warranty their work by retreating any areas that do not meet the 80% control objective at no additional cost. Documentation requirements include submitting GIS data of treated areas and providing 72-hour advance notice before treatment.