2026 Double Creek Tree Planting

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for the "2026 Double Creek Tree Planting" project at the Willowa-Whitman NF, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. The North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) code is 115310 – Support Activities for Forestry, with a Small Business Size Standard of $11.5 million. This acquisition is a Total Small Business Set-aside.

• Furnish all technical expertise, labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, services, permits, licenses, and credentials.

• Complete the planting of an estimated 54,497 seedlings on 215 acres.

• All aspects of the work must be performed in an organized, systematic, and safe manner.

• See Attachment 03 – Performance Work Statement for further details.

• Award Type: Firm Fixed Price Purchase Order.

• Estimated Start Work Date: June 15, 2026.

• Period of Performance: June 15, 2026 to July 15, 2026.

• Quotes must be submitted electronically via email by March 25, 2026, 2:00 PM (PST).

• Evaluation Factors: Past Performance, Experience, Quality Control Plan, Crew Management/Work Plan/Safety/Equipment, and Price. Price is approximately equal in importance to the other factors, but cost may control award.

• Past Performance must be relevant and recent (within 3 years).

• Experience must be similar in nature, size, complexity, scope, and geographical conditions.

• Questions are due no later than three days prior to the quote due date.

• Total Small Business Set-aside.

• Offerors must submit pricing for all items to be considered responsive.

• Required licensing includes: Oregon State Farm/Forest Labor License, MSPA Certificate of Registration, and potentially H-2B Temporary Employment Certificate.

• This solicitation incorporates Provisions and clauses by reference. Full text may be accessed at www.acquisition.gov.

• A site visit is advised to determine site conditions.

• Attachment 01: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (23 pages)

• Attachment 03: Performance Work Statement (15 pages)

• Attachment 08: Maps (17 pages)

• Attachment 10: SF-1449

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Detailed Schedule of Work, by Line Item/Unit," serves as an attachment to the solicitation, providing specific details on the tree planting requirements for the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Double Creek project. It outlines the quantities and specifications for tree planting activities.

• Line Item 001: Details tree planting for various units, specifying acres, approximate total trees, trees per acre (consistently 250), and approximate spacing (13x13).
• Line Item 002: Details tree planting for different units, specifying acres, approximate total trees, trees per acre (consistently 250), and variable spacing.
• Totals: Provides a summary for each line item, indicating total acres and total trees.

This attachment is crucial for bidders to understand the scope and scale of the tree planting work. It provides the detailed breakdown of trees to be planted per unit and acre, which is essential for estimating costs, labor, and resources required to fulfill the contract. The "Approx. Spacing" column is particularly important for understanding the density and layout of the planting.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) details the requirements for hand tree planting and related work on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area Ranger District, for the FY26 Double Creek Tree Planting project.

• The contract requires furnishing labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals for hand tree planting.

• Planting sites are located along FS Road 4240-000.

• The contractor is responsible for providing tools, transportation (including insulated pickup canopy), planting bags, planting tools, containers for root dipping, and a workforce sufficient to complete the contract.

• The government will provide project maps and approximately 54,497 seedlings.

• Quality Control Plan (QCP) required, detailing how quality will be monitored, work supervised, and results used to ensure performance standards are met.

• Planting quality will be assessed through representative sample plots.

• Work with 90% quality or better will be accepted at full payment.

• Planting sites with quality between 80% and 89% may be accepted at a reduced rate or require rework.

• Work with quality less than 80% is not acceptable and will not be paid for.

• Specific quality standards are detailed for various tasks including care of tree seedlings, field handling, spacing, spot selection, planting spot preparation, hole preparation, tree placement, and filling/firming.

• The PWS is for FY26 Double Creek Tree Planting.

• Specific period of performance is not detailed in this document but is referenced as being within the Period of Performance.

• Planting sites are located on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.

• Contractor must provide a competent superintendent on-site.

• Contractor's onsite representative must be fluent in English.

• Crew size limitations and supervisor/inspector ratios are specified.

• Subcontracting requires prompt notification to the Contracting Officer with specific documentation.

• Contractor is responsible for safety of their crew and awareness of environmental hazards.

• Potential safety hazards are identified, including fall hazards, driving on narrow roads, and working in burned areas.

• Contractor must adhere to specific work methods, including orderly operations and notification for moving between districts.

• Seedlings must be protected from drying, heating, freezing, crushing, etc., and transported appropriately.

• Planting tools must meet specific size requirements.

• Planting bags must be light-colored, a minimum of 15 inches deep, and free of defects.

• Seedlings must be planted without further root or top pruning.

• Specific procedures for field handling, spacing, spot selection, planting spot preparation, hole preparation, tree placement, and filling/firming are detailed.

• Government will provide a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) for oversight.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Planting Inspection Sheet" (Figure 1) used by the USDA Forest Service for inspecting tree planting efforts. It serves as a form to record the quality and success of planting operations.

• Contract Information: Fields for Contract Number, Contractor, Item Number, Plot Size, Acres, Average Spacing, Bid Price, and Unit Number.
• Inspection Details: Columns for "Spot and Tree No." to track individual planting spots and trees, with numbered columns from 1 to 17.
• Quality Assessment: Sections to calculate "Planting quality percent" based on "Salis, trees above ground" and "Number of Plantable spots." It also includes calculations for "Wasted trees."
• Signatures: Fields for "TOT." (Total), Date, and Signature for both the "FRONT" and "BACK" of the inspection.

Bidders involved in tree planting contracts with the USDA Forest Service would use this form to document and report on the success of their planting activities. It outlines the specific metrics and data points that will be used to assess the quality of the planting work, directly impacting contract performance and payment. Understanding this form is crucial for preparing proposals that align with inspection requirements and for managing contract execution.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Standard Form 1449, Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items. It serves as the primary document for soliciting offers, awarding contracts, or placing orders for commercial items.

• Solicitation Number: 1240BG26Q0016
• Issue Date: 03/16/2026
• Offer Due Date/Local Time: 03/25/2026 1400 PS
• NAICS Code: 115310 (Timber Tract and Related Wood Services)
• Size Standard: $11.5 million
• Item No. 0001: Tree Planting at Double Creek.
• Period of Performance: 06/15/2026 to 07/15/2026 (Estimated: 6/15/2026 - 7/15/2026)
• Reference to Attachments: Work is to be performed in accordance with Attachment 01 and Attachment 10.
• Contracting Officer: Jennifer Olson (407-925-1150)
• Issuing Office: USDA-FS CSA NORTHWEST 5, Portland, OR
• Delivery Location: USDA FOREST SERVICE, Wallowa Mountain Office, Joseph, OR

This form outlines the specific requirements for tree planting services at Double Creek, including the period of performance and references to other attachments that contain detailed SOW/PWS information. Bidders must use this form to submit their offers by the specified due date. It also details the NAICS code and size standard, which are critical for determining eligibility.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the "Tree Planting Activities" and "Contractor Inspection Procedures" related to the opportunity. It details the quality control measures and inspection processes that contractors must follow for tree planting operations.

• Contractor Inspection Procedures: Requires contractors to implement quality control for all planting operations, including tree care and handling. Contractors are responsible for their own prompt inspections, while Government inspections are for payment determination.
• Plot Installation: Mandates the installation of circular plots for sampling, with the number of plots varying based on the acreage of the sub-item.
• Inspection Codes: Provides detailed codes for recording above-ground (e.g., Planting Spot Selection, Firming, Spacing) and below-ground (e.g., Planting Hole Preparation, Root Configuration, Loose Soil) inspections.
• Seedling Calculations: Includes tables and formulas for determining the average number of planting spots, minimum/maximum allowable seedlings, and the number of wasted seedlings.
• Planting Quality Calculation: Outlines a formula to compute planting quality based on satisfactory trees above ground, dug seedlings, and variable spacing values.
• Inspection Results & Verification: Details the process for contractor inspections, submission of plot cards, and government verification procedures, including criteria for when government verification will supersede contractor results.
• Unsatisfactory Planting: Defines procedures for replanting if planting quality falls below specified percentages (90% for above ground, 80% for overall quality), with limitations on replanting frequency and conditions.

This document is critical for bidders to understand the specific quality control and inspection requirements for tree planting. It details how performance will be measured, what constitutes satisfactory work, and the consequences of failing to meet standards. Bidders must incorporate these detailed inspection procedures and quality metrics into their proposed approach and pricing to ensure compliance and successful contract execution.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, titled "Exhibit A: Container Seedling Placement" and "Exhibit B: Container Seedling Planting Depth and Alignment," provides visual guidance on the correct methods for planting containerized seedlings. It serves as an attachment to a larger solicitation or contract, likely related to forestry, reforestation, or land management.

Exhibit A: Illustrates various root orientations and their suitability for planting, including:

• Satisfactory placement
• Swept root
• Shallow hole
• "J" root
• Leaner
• Loose/air pockets
• Debris

Exhibit B: Details the correct planting depth and alignment for container seedlings:

• Shows the acceptable lean from true vertical.
• Specifies that the soil line should be approximately one inch above the top of the root plug.

This attachment is crucial for bidders to understand the specific performance standards and quality requirements related to seedling planting. Adherence to these guidelines will likely be a key factor in contract performance and evaluation, ensuring successful establishment of seedlings.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, Exhibit C, details the specifications and methods for "Scalping and Scalping with Microsites" for a 30 X 30 inch scalp. It serves as a guide for site preparation, likely for planting or land management activities.

• Scalping Without Microsites: Defines the scalp size as specified on planting data sheets, with an example of a 30x30 inch scalp. It notes that scalps deviating significantly (e.g., 29 inches on one side by 30 or 31 inches on the other) are considered infractions.
• Scalping With Microsites: Explains how objects like logs or rocks count towards the scalp size (up to half the scalp). It provides an example of placing a tree within the scalp and clearing the area 16 inches around the tree, except for the area occupied by the microsite object.
• Diagrams: Includes side and top-view illustrations demonstrating both scalping methods and the placement of microsites.

This exhibit provides critical, detailed instructions on how to prepare planting sites, including specific dimensions and considerations for incorporating natural objects as microsites. Bidders must understand and adhere to these specifications to ensure compliance with the contract's site preparation requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document contains maps detailing the "Double Creek Planting" project area. It serves to visually identify specific planting units, their locations, and the surrounding terrain.

• Vicinity Map: Shows the general location of the Double Creek Planting area relative to nearby towns (Joseph) and highways (OR-82, OR-350).
• Planting Units Map: Displays detailed topographical information, including contour lines (200' and 40' intervals), Forest Service boundaries, and numbered planting units (e.g., Units 1-32).
• Legend: Explains the symbology used, including the representation of planting units, Forest Service boundaries, roads (categorized by vehicle suitability: 1-Basic Custodial Care, 2-High Clearance Vehicles, 3-Suitable for Passenger Cars), and contour lines.

These maps are crucial for bidders to understand the geographical context and specific work areas for the Double Creek Planting project. They provide essential information regarding the terrain, accessibility, and precise locations of the planting units, which will inform logistical planning, resource allocation, and site assessment for any potential proposal.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Wage Determination (No. 1977-0079, Revision No. 81) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, under the Service Contract Act. It establishes the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations employed on contracts for Forestry and Logging Services within Oregon Statewide.

• Occupational Listing: Provides specific occupation codes and titles (e.g., Brush/Precommercial Thinner, Forestry Equipment Operator, Tree Planter).
• Wage Rates: Lists the minimum hourly rate for each listed occupation.
• Fringe Benefits: Details required fringe benefits, including Health & Welfare ($5.55/hour or $222.00/week) and Paid Sick Leave under EO 13706 ($5.09/hour or $203.60/week).
• Vacation: Specifies 2 weeks paid vacation after 1 year of service and 3 weeks after 10 years.
• Holidays: Lists a minimum of eleven paid holidays per year.
• Uniform Allowance: Outlines requirements for furnishing uniforms and reimbursement for cleaning costs ($3.35 per week).
• Conformance Process: Describes the procedure for establishing wage rates for classifications not listed in the determination using Standard Form 1444 (SF-1444).

Bidders must use this wage determination to accurately calculate labor costs for their proposals. It dictates the minimum compensation and benefits that must be provided to employees performing services under the contract. Failure to comply with these wage and benefit requirements can lead to non-compliance and penalties. The document also provides information on Executive Orders 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and 13658 (minimum wage adjustments) as they apply to federal contracts.