Fertilization Services at Ninemile Ranger District
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 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service is soliciting proposals for Fertilization Services at the Ninemile Ranger Station, Lolo National Forest in Huson, MT. This opportunity, issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ), requires the supply and application of pelletized fertilizer to 237 acres of hayfield. This is a Total Small Business Set-Aside. Offers are due March 4, 2026, at 5:00 PM Mountain Time.
Scope of Work
The contractor will be responsible for supplying and applying a specific blend of pelletized fertilizer (70-20-20-15 Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium-Sulfur) to 237 acres of hayfield. The application rate is 250 lbs of the complete fertilizer blend per acre. The work is divided across 10 fenced field locations, including Airstrip, Upper Airport, Lower Airport, Lower Lagoon, Upper Lagoon, Station Field #1, Station Field #2, Mule Hill East, Tack Shop Pasture, and Donkey Alley. The primary objective is to increase hay yield and forage for Forest Service livestock grazing.
Contract & Timeline
- Opportunity Type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (RFQ)
- Anticipated Award Type: Firm-fixed-price purchase order
- Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)
- NAICS Code: 115112 (Farm Management Services)
- Period of Performance: April 1 to May 1, 2026, between 0700 and 1630 (weather permitting).
- Place of Performance: Ninemile Ranger Station, 20325 Remount Road, Huson, MT 59846.
- Offer Submission Deadline: March 4, 2026, 5:00 PM Mountain Time.
- Questions Due: February 27, 2026, 12:00 PM Pacific Time.
- Published Date: February 18, 2026.
Submission & Evaluation
Offers must be submitted via email to andrea.haines@usda.gov, with separate attachments for the Technical Proposal and Price Proposal (Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF). Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government, based on a comparative evaluation of:
- Relevant Experience: Scope, size, and complexity.
- Past Performance: Evaluated via an Experience Questionnaire, considering recency, relevancy, and quality.
- Price: Fair and reasonable. Offerors must have an active entity registration in SAM.gov and provide their UEI number. Wage Determinations for Missoula County, MT, apply to this contract.
Additional Notes
This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; a separate written solicitation will not be issued. The contractor must coordinate delivery and application with the Contracting Officer Representative (COR), who will inspect the fertilizer and application rate.