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Contract Opportunity

(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in subpart 12.6 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

(ii) This solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ).

(iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2024-02.

(iv) This procurement is set aside for small business. The NAICS code is 115310 and the Small Business Size Standard is $34 million.

Below is the background and purpose, attached is the full combined synopsis / solicitation.

Questions will be due on the 18th of March, 2024

Quotes will be due on March 22nd, 2024 by 3:00PM EST

Offerors or quoters are urged and expected to inspect the site where services are to be performed and to satisfy themselves regarding all general and local conditions that may affect the cost of contract performance, to the extent that the information is reasonably obtainable. In no event shall failure to inspect the site constitute grounds for a claim after contract award.

Offerors or quoters must contact the Tree Improvement Area Manager point of contact (Kelsie Grover, 208-765-7388, Kelsie.grover@usda.gov) to schedule an acceptable time to inspect the work sites during business hours (M-F, 7:00AM-4:00PM) at West Seasons Road, Athol ID 83801.

1.0 Background and Purpose

This performance-based service contract's purpose is to obtain pruning, mulching, and tree removal services in the Lone Mountain Tree Improvement Area (TIA) for the Lodgepole Pine genetic test and the Ponderosa Pine genetic test.

The first objective is to improve equipment access within the test areas for future maintenance and removal of downed trees and broken tops following wind events. Downed green material facilitates the population growth of Ips pini, commonly referred to as pine engraver, which can cause significant mortality in pole-sized trees of 5-8” in diameter. A high population of pine engravers has been found at this location in windthrown lodgepole pine.

This plantation is also directly adjacent to private landowners and poses a significant fire danger in its current condition. Pruning of low-hanging branches along the lodgepole pine bole will allow access for small tractors, riding mowers, and UTVs.

The second objective is to remove western pine beetle-infested Ponderosa Pine trees from the genetic tests to maintain the overall health and survival of the standing trees, decrease mortality pockets and windthrown damage, and serve as an alternative to broadscale pesticide applications. Mulching of downed dead trees will allow equipment access within the tests for agricultural maintenance and fuels reduction.

The service site is approximately 7 miles north of Rathdrum, Idaho on West Seasons Road off on State Highway 41. These test areas are a part of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest’s Lone Mountain Tree Improvement Area. The site is fenced, and access is through a locked gate. The terrain is flat with little to no elevation change. Some sections of the tests are heavily grassed and weeded over.

The Lodgepole Pine genetic test is a 16.5-acre area of 196 parent trees selected from native stands in the Inland Empire Northwest. This plantation was installed in 1980 on a pre-measured grid with a 10’x10’ spacing. In 2008, the test was thinned, reducing the inventory to 2,668 trees. The average DBH is 10”, and the average height is 30’. These trees have never been pruned, and some have limbs to the ground. Mortality has occurred since the thinning, causing the approximate number of trees needing pruning to be below 2,668.

The Ponderosa Pine genetic test is a 21.5-acre area of seedlings from 238 open-pollinated superior trees selected from native stands in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. This test was established in 1974 and originally planted at a 10’x10” spacing but was thinned in 2004. The last survival measurement was collected in 2013, showing 3,230 live trees. Mortality has occurred since then, and there are multiple pockets of windthrown, standing dead, and newly infested western pine beetle trees.

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