WI-UPR MS RIV natl wildl-site preparation

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is soliciting quotations for a forest restoration project at the Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge in Clayton County, Iowa. The solicitation seeks a small business contractor to perform a comprehensive four-phase forest restoration service, including herbicide site preparation, mechanical site preparation, tree and shrub planting, and post-planting herbicide maintenance. Contractors must conduct a mandatory site visit and submit a detailed technical proposal that demonstrates expertise in forest restoration techniques. The evaluation will be based on best value, considering factors such as technical proficiency, arborist certifications, compliance with the Statement of Work, competitive pricing, project timelines, and past performance. Quotes are due by February 18, 2025 at 12:00 PM EST, with a technical point of contact available for questions at (608) 326-0515.

The contract is a 100% small business set-aside with a NAICS code of 115310 and a size standard of $11.5 million. The project will restore 5-10 acres of reed canary grass to floodplain forest, involving the planting of 315 containerized trees and 840 bareroot shrubs across 35 cluster locations. The period of performance spans from February 17, 2025 to February 16, 2027, with work permitted during daylight hours excluding federal holidays. All trees must originate from Midwest seed sources within a 500-mile radius and be grown using air root-pruning methods. The firm-fixed price contract will be awarded based on the most advantageous proposal, taking into account the comprehensive restoration requirements and the contractor's ability to meet the specific ecological restoration objectives of the Howard Creek Unit.