Vallonia State Tree Nursery FumigationBid Documents

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources seeks qualified fumigation service providers through a negotiated bid process (RFQ 26-87563) for soil fumigation services at the Vallonia State Tree Nursery located in Jasper County. The procurement encompasses soil sterilization services for approximately 25 acres of seedbed area, with fumigation scheduled between August 15 and September 30 annually, and potential spring fumigation of three to five additional acres if necessary. The fumigation must effectively control invasive weeds, soil-borne pathogenic fungi, nematodes, and insects using proven safety methods such as the solid tarp method while maintaining full compliance with Worker Protection Standards and utilizing only EPA-registered chemicals approved for use in Indiana. Respondents must demonstrate a minimum of five years of documented experience providing soil fumigation services on forest nurseries within the United States and must submit comprehensive proposals including an Executive Summary, Cost Proposal (Attachment D), Attestation Form (Attachment F), Indiana Economic Impact Form (Attachment C), and Infrastructure Overview documentation. The State will evaluate proposals on a lowest-cost basis, with award recommendations targeted for June 2026 and a two-year contract term beginning from the execution date. The deadline for proposal submission is June 1, 2026 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time, with all technical inquiries due by May 15, 2026, and respondents must submit bids electronically through the State's Supplier Portal with firm unit pricing remaining open for a minimum of 180 days from award issuance.

The procurement establishes subcontracting aspirational goals of 8% for Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), 11% for Women Business Enterprises (WBEs), and 3% for Indiana Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (IVOSBs), though failure to meet these goals does not impact proposal evaluation. Respondents may claim eligibility for the Indiana Small Business Preference or the 15% specialized employee services preference under Indiana Code 5-22-15-26 if they meet applicable criteria, and optional Indiana Business (Buy Indiana) Preference qualifications are available for vendors meeting specific registration or economic impact thresholds. All respondents must register with the Indiana Department of Administration Procurement Division and, if awarded, must register with the Indiana Secretary of State; prior to commencing fumigation services, the successful vendor must provide proof of workers' compensation insurance and public liability insurance. The solicitation documents do not specify an incumbent contractor or existing service provider, nor do they indicate a preset budget range or contract value; pricing will be determined by responsive bids received and evaluated based on the lowest-cost proposal meeting all specifications. The State reserves the right to award to one or more respondents determined most advantageous to the State and may utilize a Best and Final Offer (BAFO) process at its discretion.