BIL Aerial Herbicide Application Services

Statement of Work (SOW)

This SOW outlines requirements for aerial herbicide application services to control and eradicate target vegetation (Acer rubrum, Clethra alnifolia, Toxicodendron radicans, and other woody or herbaceous vegetation) in managed forest stands within the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Suffolk, Virginia.

• Location: Work areas are in the City of Chesapeake, Virginia, specifically within the "Blocks" section of the Great Dismal Swamp NWR.

• Acres to Treat: Up to 1600 acres of targeted vegetation.

• Method: Aerial application via rotary wing aircraft (helicopter).

• Timing: Late growing season, with all applications completed by September 30, 2026.

• Herbicide: Contractor to supply "Habitat®" and "Methylated Seed Oil (MSO)" or approved chemical equivalents. Application rate is 2 pints Habitat + 3.2 oz. MSO per 10 gallons of water per acre, or as per manufacturer requirements. Herbicides must be registered for aquatic use.

• Vegetation Control Goal: Achieve a minimum of 95% of identified areas sprayed, with at least 95% coverage, resulting in effective treatment of at least 95% of the targeted area.

• Minimum 95% spray coverage of identified areas.

• Adherence to product label instructions, manufacturer's guidance, and contract requirements.

• Minimizing impacts to non-target species, with specific wind speed and direction limitations.

• Period: August 26, 2026, through September 30, 2026.

• Place: Great Dismal Swamp NWR, southeastern refuge, in the Blocks.

• Contractor Furnished: All necessary equipment, labor, and materials.

• Notification: Provide 72-hour notice to the Project Officer before commencing work.

• Handling & Mixing: Adhere to EPA registration label instructions. Contractor responsible for mixing water and providing secondary containment for mixing areas on government property. Emergency spill containment equipment required.

• Safety: Comply with OSHA Safety Standards. Implement a hazard communication program. All personnel must possess a valid state commercial herbicide applicator's license.

• Reporting: Submit an electronic Application Plan (including herbicide details, rates, MSDS, licenses, spill plan) for approval within 7 working days of award. Submit a spray log and ArcGIS shapefiles by October 9, 2026.

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

• Prework Meeting: Within 10 days of award, contact Contracting Officer to arrange a meeting.

• Project Officer: Susan Stanley, Refuge Biologist, Great Dismal Swamp NWR, Suffolk, VA. (Phone: 757-986-3705)

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation (RFQ) is for Aerial Herbicide Treatment for Hazardous Fuel Reduction Services for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) at the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) near Suffolk, VA. The government intends to award a contract, purchase order, or delivery order for commercial items.

• Aerial herbicide application services.

• Services are to be performed within the Great Dismal Swamp NWR, VA.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price.

• Period of Performance: August 26, 2026, to December 31, 2026.

• NAICS Code: 115310 – Support Activities for Forestry-Fuels Management Services.

• Estimated Value: $34.00 Million.

• Submission Method: Email quotes to keith_rose@ios.doi.gov.

• RFQ Due Date: July 7, 2026, 12:00 PM Eastern Time.

• Anticipated Award Date: July 20, 2026.

• Evaluation Factors: Offers will be evaluated based on Technical Experience, Capacity, Expertise, Technical Approach, Management Plan, Past Performance, and Price. Technical Capabilities & Past Performance combined are considered significantly more important than price.

• Required Documents: Completed SF 1449, Company Information (including SAM.gov UEI), Technical Capabilities, Past Performance References (up to three), and Price Quotes.

• This acquisition is a Small Business Set-Aside.

• Offerors must be registered, active, and eligible in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

• A site visit is scheduled for June 22nd and June 29th, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Attendance is required and will be part of the Technical Evaluation.

• The previous contract for similar services was awarded to NUTRIEN AG SOLUTIONS, INC. for $99,908.00.

• Questions regarding the solicitation must be emailed to keith_rose@ios.doi.gov within 48 hours of posting.

Wage Determination

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination (No. 2015-4341, Revision No. 34) under the Service Contract Act. It establishes the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations performing services on federal contracts in specific geographic areas.

• Virginia: Chesapeake*, Gloucester, Hampton*, Isle of Wight, James City, Mathews, Newport News*, Norfolk*, Poquoson*, Portsmouth*, Suffolk*, Virginia Beach*, Williamsburg*

• North Carolina: Currituck and Gates counties

• Occupational Wage Rates: Lists specific minimum hourly wage rates for a wide range of occupations, categorized by general areas such as Administrative Support, Automotive Service, Health Occupations, Information Technology, and Mechanics.

• Fringe Benefits: Indicates that fringe benefits are required and follow the occupational listing. Specific details on Health & Welfare and Vacation/Holiday pay are provided in the notes section.

• Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave): Applies to contracts awarded on or after January 1, 2017. Contractors must provide paid sick leave (1 hour per 30 hours worked, up to 56 hours annually).

• Executive Order 13658 (Minimum Wage): Applies to contracts awarded between January 1, 2015, and January 29, 2022 (and not renewed/extended after January 30, 2022). Requires a minimum wage of $13.65 per hour or the rate on the determination, whichever is higher.

• Conformance Process: Outlines the procedure for classifying and determining wage rates for occupations not listed in the determination, requiring a Standard Form 1444 (SF-1444) and approval from the Department of Labor.

This wage determination is critical for bidders to accurately calculate labor costs for their proposals on covered federal contracts within the specified geographic areas. Failure to comply with these minimum wage and fringe benefit requirements can lead to contract violations.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Past Performance Survey" form intended for companies to provide information about their previous contracts and subcontracts. It is used to gather data on a company's experience and performance, likely for evaluation purposes in a procurement process.

• General Business Information: Requires details such as company name, address, date established, company president, vice president, and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
• Contracts/Subcontracts Completed or In Progress: This is the core section where bidders must detail up to three past contracts or subcontracts. For each contract, the following information is requested:
  • Contracting Agency or Company
  • Point of Contact and Telephone Number
  • Contract Number and Amount
  • Project Title and Location
  • General Scope of Project
  • Bidder's Role (Prime, Joint Venture, Subcontractor) and work performed
  • Description of any subcontracted work
  • Total amount of subcontracts
  • Period of Performance, Scheduled and Actual Completion Dates
  • Percentage of Work Completed
  • Termination status
  • Use of Quality Control and Safety Plans
  • Any Quality Control or Safety Problems encountered and how they were resolved.
• Certification of Past Performance Information: A section for certifying the accuracy of the provided data.

Bidders must complete this form accurately and thoroughly to document their relevant past performance. This information will likely be used by the government to assess the bidder's capability and experience in performing similar work, which is a critical factor in contract award decisions. Failure to provide complete or accurate information may negatively impact the evaluation.