Bessey Nursery- Growing Media
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The USDA Forest Service, Nebraska National Forest is soliciting quotations for Bessey Nursery Growing Media under a combined synopsis/solicitation (RFQ). This acquisition is a Total Small Business Set-Aside for the supply of specialized greenhouse growing media to the Bessey Nursery in Halsey, NE. A firm fixed-price contract is anticipated, with one award intended. Quotations are due by February 16, 2026.
Scope of Work
This opportunity requires the provision of Greenhouse Growing Media with specific characteristics. The media must consist of 90% fine cut 'Canadian' sphagnum peat moss and 10% fine grade horticultural perlite, with a pH range of 4.0-6.0 after wetting, and include a wetting agent and starter nutrient charge. It must not contain lime, dolomitic, or calcitic additives. The requirement is for 3 truck loads, totaling 8,262 cubic feet (2754 cu.ft. per load), packaged in opaque 81 cubic foot tote bags, shrink-wrapped or non-slip treated, and delivered on pallets. Delivery is required between December 1, 2026, and December 15, 2026, with no early deliveries accepted.
Contract Details
- Contract Type: Firm Fixed-Price (anticipated)
- Award: One award intended
- Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (100% small business concerns)
- NAICS Code: 325314 (Fertilizer Manufacturing)
- Small Business Size Standard: 550 employees
- Place of Performance: Halsey, NE, United States
Submission & Evaluation
Offerors must submit a quotation including a certified list of ingredients, a price quote per cubic foot (inclusive of shipping and fuel surcharges), and proposed packaging size. A sample bag of the growing media mix must be submitted to Bessey Nursery no later than February 13, 2026. Quotes will be evaluated based on Price (fair and reasonable), Technical Acceptability, and Past Performance. Technical acceptability requires demonstrating the product meets or exceeds salient characteristics, providing descriptive literature, and identifying brand name/model or stating "equal." Past performance will be rated as Acceptable, Neutral, or Unacceptable. The lowest priced offer will be evaluated for technical capability first, continuing until a technically acceptable offer with acceptable or neutral past performance is identified. Prices must remain firm for 90 calendar days from the offer receipt date.
Key Dates & Contact
- Questions Due: February 11, 2026, 12:00 PM Pacific Time (email to curtis.r.landreth@usda.gov)
- Sample Submission Due: February 13, 2026
- Quotation Due: February 16, 2026, 10:00 PM ET
- Contact: Curtis Landreth (curtis.r.landreth@usda.gov, 308-251-6801)
- Published Date: February 3, 2026