F--PA-JOHN HEINZ NWR AT TINICUM-HERBICIDE

Amendment / Modification

• Amendment 0001 is issued to address concerns from industry.

• The closing date for offers remains February 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM.

• All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

• The closing date for offers has been confirmed.

• The deadline for proposal submissions has not changed and remains February 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM.

• The opportunity involves Aerial Spray for 2026 at the PA-FWS John Heinz NWR at Tinicum.

• Technical Point of Contact: Erin Lacour (484) 566-7589.

• Contract Point of Contact: Fred Riley, fred_riley@fws.gov.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a solicitation (RFQ/RFP) for Aerial Herbicide Application services. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is procuring these services.

• The primary service required is Aerial Herbicide Application.

• The period of performance is from August 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026.

• Delivery is expected by December 31, 2026.

• The contract type will be a firm fixed price contract.

• The solicitation issue date is February 12, 2026.

• The offer due date is February 23, 2026, at 1400 Eastern Standard Time.

• Offers will be evaluated based on best value, considering technical and past performance as more important than price.

• The acquisition is set aside for Small Business.

• The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 115310, with a size standard of $11.5 million.

• The solicitation incorporates FAR clauses by reference, including 52.212-1 (Instructions to Offerors), 52.212-2 (Evaluation), and 52.212-3 (Offeror Representations and Certifications).

• Electronic invoicing and payment will be processed through the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform (IPP).

• The FWS is committed to promoting the natural environment and protecting health and well-being, encouraging green purchasing and environmentally preferable contracting.

Forms / Attachments / Pricing Sheets

This document is a Service Contract Act (SCA) wage determination, specifically Wage Determination No.: 2015-4233, Revision No.: 35, dated 12/03/2025. It establishes the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations when performing contract work subject to the Service Contract Act in the specified geographic area.

• Geographic Area: Pennsylvania Counties of Delaware, Philadelphia.
• Occupational Listings: Provides a comprehensive list of occupation codes, titles, and corresponding minimum hourly wage rates.
• Fringe Benefits: Specifies health and welfare benefits ($5.55 per hour or $222.00 per week) and paid sick leave (1 hour per 30 hours worked, up to 56 hours annually) as required by Executive Order 13706.
• Vacation: Details paid vacation accrual based on years of service (2 weeks after 1 year, 3 weeks after 8 years, 4 weeks after 15 years).
• Holidays: Lists a minimum of eleven paid holidays per year.
• Executive Orders: Notes applicability of Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and Executive Order 13658 (minimum wage for federal contractors).
• Conformance Process: Outlines the process for requesting authorization of additional classifications and wage rates if an occupation is not listed in this determination.

This document is critical for bidders to understand the labor costs associated with performing the contract. It dictates the minimum wages and benefits that must be paid to employees working on the contract, directly impacting the bid price. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages and benefits meet or exceed these requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a mandatory questionnaire for bidders to complete regarding their company's past experience and references. It must be submitted with the proposal to ensure compliance with the solicitation requirements.

• Company Information: Requires details such as Company Name, SAM Unique Entity ID (UEI), Address, Point of Contact (POC) information, and Type of Business.
• Experience Details: Bidders must specify years of experience in services, contracting (prime/subcontractor), and specifically with Federal Government Contracts. Information on any past failures to complete work is also required.
• Personnel Information: Details on key personnel availability, including minimum/maximum employees, whether employees are on regular payroll, and the anticipated number of employees for this project.
• Subcontractor Information: If applicable, details about any subcontractors to be used.
• Employee Experience: Information for each employee who will perform the work, including their present position/title and years of experience.
• References and Past Performance: Requires details for up to three (3) relevant contracts completed or in progress within the past three years. These should be similar in size and complexity to the solicitation's Scope of Work. Government contracts are preferred. For each reference, the following must be provided:
  • Contract Agency or Company Name
  • Contract Number (if applicable)
  • Total Contract $ Value
  • Point of Contact (POC) Name, Telephone #, and E-mail address
  • Contract Start and End Date
  • Scope of Project (detailed description)
• Certification: A statement certifying the completeness and correctness of the provided information.

This form is critical for bidders to demonstrate their qualifications and relevant past performance. Failure to provide complete and accurate information as requested in this questionnaire may result in non-compliance with the solicitation. Bidders must carefully document their experience and provide detailed information for each reference to allow the Government to perform an evaluation.

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

To procure aerial herbicide application services for the control and eradication of target invasive plant species (Phragmites australis and Lythrum salicaria) at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum in Philadelphia, PA.

• Furnish all necessary equipment, labor, herbicide, surfactant, and materials for aerial spraying via helicopter.

• Apply specified herbicides to control and eradicate target vegetation.

• Application areas are estimated at up to 150 acres, pending a 2026 survey.

• Specific treatment areas will be identified on maps provided upon award.

• Achieve a minimum of 90% control of identified infestations, with at least 90% coverage by foliar spray.

• Live stems should yellow prematurely within 2-3 weeks of spraying.

• Failure to meet objectives may require re-application at the contractor's expense.

• The herbicide application must occur during the active translocation season, between August 15 and October 20, 2026.

• Work areas are located at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, Philadelphia, PA.

• No spraying will take place on weekends.

• Herbicides must be registered for aquatic use and approved by the Project Officer; no restricted-use herbicides are allowed.

• Application must adhere to EPA registration labels, manufacturer's guidance, and specific contract requirements.

• Minimize impacts to non-target species; zero tolerance for drift into non-target areas or adjacent property.

• Contractor must provide a 72-hour notice before commencing work.

• Contractor must implement a hazard communication program and possess a valid state commercial herbicide applicator's license (aquatic application license required).

• Contractor must maintain liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per incident, covering drift, run-off, and pollution.

• An "Application Plan" detailing herbicides, rates, MSDS, licenses, and spill/contamination action plan must be submitted for review and approval within 10 working days of contract award.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Quote Schedule for Aerial Herbicide Application services at John Heinz NWR. It outlines the pricing structure for the required services.

• Service: Aerial Herbicide Application
• Location: John Heinz NWR
• Period of Performance: August 15, 2026, to October 20, 2026
• Quantity: 150 (units not specified, likely acres based on Unit Price description)
• Unit Price: Per acre, inclusive of all supplies and materials needed to complete the work per the Performance Work Statement.

This schedule provides critical pricing information for potential bidders. It specifies the service, location, performance dates, and the unit pricing structure. Bidders should use this to formulate their quotes, ensuring their unit price covers all required materials and labor as per the Performance Work Statement.