Non-Native Invasive Plant Species Control, Fort Bragg, N. C.

Auburn University, acting on behalf of the United States Army Garrison at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) soliciting qualified service providers for non-native invasive plant species (NIPS) control and eradication services. The procurement seeks a contractor capable of surveying, mapping, and treating invasive plant species across Fort Bragg's training lands, including Camp Mackall and the Greenbelt cantonment area, during a contract period running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Key deliverables include the Bragg Non-Native Plant Survey 2026, monthly progress reports, invoices, and a comprehensive ArcGIS geodatabase with treatment records to be delivered to Auburn University's Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Department. The service provider must identify and treat targeted invasive species using licensed herbicide applications on military training lands during standard business hours (7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday), utilizing a two-person team and four-wheel drive vehicles for approximately 32 weeks during the growing season. Required qualifications include valid North Carolina commercial herbicide applicator licenses for key personnel (Program Manager and Alternate Program Manager), a minimum of three years' project management experience, and completion of two successful invasive plant control projects within the past ten years; all contractor personnel must be U.S. citizens passing National Crime Information Center Level III background checks. Evaluation criteria allocate 50 percent weight to pricing and 50 percent to company history, past performance, relevant experience, and key personnel qualifications, with particular emphasis on prior experience with Department of Army installations. The RFP was posted on February 18, 2026, with a questions and answers deadline of February 27, 2026, at 4:45 p.m. CST and a proposal closing date of March 4, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. CST; bids must be submitted through the JAGGAER Sourcing Event Portal, and proposals must remain valid for 90 days following the closing date.

Auburn University commits to developing Small Business and Small Disadvantaged Business supplier participation with reporting required throughout contract performance, though no specific set-aside designations are formally restricted to these categories based on the documentation provided. All bidders must certify compliance with Alabama state sales tax registration requirements under Act No. 2006-557, confirm they are not debarred or suspended from federal contracting, and attest to compliance with federal immigration law and E-Verify requirements. Service providers must furnish all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, and materials necessary to perform work and maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including workers' compensation, commercial general liability ($2,000,000 annual aggregate), commercial automobile liability ($1,000,000 combined single limit), and environmental liability insurance ($2,000,000 annual aggregate). Bids are to be submitted as "F.O.B. Destination - Freight Prepaid and Allowed," with Auburn University reserving the right to award in whole or in part by line item or make multiple awards as deemed in its best interest. No incumbent vendor information or existing contract data is referenced in the RFP documentation. Specific contract value or budget range information is not disclosed in the available materials; Auburn University has indicated that interested proposers may be requested to provide oral presentations to the selection committee as part of the award decision process.