Conduct rare plant, invasive plant, and cultural plant surveys within the Kitchie Two Rivers Project Area
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, Ottawa National Forest, is seeking Total Small Business contractors to conduct rare plant, invasive plant, and cultural plant surveys within the Kitchie Two Rivers Project Area in Ontonagon, Houghton, and Iron Counties, Michigan. This Request for Quote (RFQ) requires surveys across 1334 stands totaling 39,430 acres over three field seasons (2026-2028). Quotations are due by April 15, 2026, at 1700 Central Time.
Scope of Work
Contractor support is required to furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies, and incidentals for plant surveys. Key requirements include:
- Surveying all 1334 stands at least once.
- Resurveying 40% of awarded stands and acres (at least 537 stands, 15,772 acres) a second time, with a minimum of 3 weeks between consecutive surveys.
- Conducting surveys between May 15 and September 15 of each performance year (2026-2028).
- Completing all surveys by September 15, 2028.
- Identifying and recording rare plants, invasive plants, and plants of cultural significance following Ottawa National Forest Botany Program protocols.
- Submitting all deliverables, including GPS tracks, rare plant documentation, NNIP reporting, stand tracker, species lists, and a final report, by required due dates (final deliverables by October 15, 2028).
Contract Details
- Solicitation Number: 12443926Q0027
- Type: Request for Quote (RFQ)
- NAICS: 115310 – Support Activities for Forestry
- PSC: F099 – Natural Resources/Conservation – Other
- Place of Performance: Ottawa National Forest, Ontonagon, Houghton, and Iron Counties, Michigan.
- Period of Performance: Field seasons 2026, 2027, and 2028, with all work completed by September 15, 2028, and final deliverables by October 15, 2028.
- CLIN 0001: Kitchie Two Rivers Plant Survey (single total price required).
Set-Aside
This acquisition is 100% set aside for Total Small Business concerns.
Evaluation and Basis for Award
Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government, based on the following factors in order of importance:
- Qualifications and Experience: Demonstrated experience with Upper Midwest flora, botany survey expertise, and rare plant detection success.
- Capacity: Availability of sufficient personnel and resources to meet multi-year survey requirements within field windows.
- Past Performance: Acceptable or neutral record from USDA and other federal sources.
- Price: Evaluated for fairness and reasonableness.
No tradeoffs will be conducted. The highest technically rated offeror with fair and reasonable pricing and acceptable past performance will receive the award.
Submission Requirements
Offerors shall submit:
- A Technical Quotation addressing all Statement of Work (SOW) requirements.
- Pricing for CLIN 0001 (a single total price).
- Past Performance References (optional but recommended).
- SAM Registration Confirmation (UEI, CAGE).
Quotes must be valid for 90 days from the due date. Bidders should also review the provided Wage Determinations for Michigan, as they are crucial for understanding minimum labor costs.
Key Attachments
- Statement of Work (SOW) – Kitchie Two Rivers Plant Survey
- Maps, Stand Lists, Rare Plant Lists, NNIP Priority Lists, and related reference documents
- Contract Clauses and Provisions
- Wage Determinations for Michigan
Points of Contact
- Primary: Ian K. Shackleford, COR (ian.shackleford@usda.gov, 906-285-6911)
- Submission: david.easter@usda.gov (Subject: 12443926Q0027 – Kitchie Two Rivers Plant Survey – Vendor Quote)