Native Savanna Seed Mix

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation seeks to establish a five-year Indefinite Delivery-Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for native savanna seed mix. The goal is to procure services to grow, clean, package, and deliver these seed mixes to improve oak-pine savannas within the Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District by increasing native wildflowers and grasses.

• The primary deliverable is native savanna seed mix.

• Vendors must have an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration.

• Pricing offered is considered contractually binding unit ceiling pricing.

• The contract will be a single-award, firm-fixed-price IDIQ.

• Contract Type: Indefinite Delivery-Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)

• Period of Performance: Five (5) years total ordering period.

• Estimated Value: Minimum guaranteed amount is $2,500. Maximum cumulative value is $500,000.

• Submission Deadline: June 29, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. EDT.

• Submission Method: Electronically to patrick.jones2@usda.gov. No hard copy or faxed proposals accepted.

• Evaluation Criteria: Award will be made to the responsible offeror representing the best overall value, considering technical capability, past performance, and price. Technical merit may be prioritized over price if it is expected to result in higher project success or reduced risk.

• Questions Due: June 17, 2026, by 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

• NAICS Code: 111422

• Size Standard: $3.75 million

• The acquisition is set aside for Small Business.

• Attachment #1 – Statement of Requirements, Attachment #2 – Recovery Plan Appendix C, Attachment #3 - Selecting Pollinator Plants, and Attachment #4 – Experience Questionnaire are referenced and should be reviewed.

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

This document outlines the requirements for a five-year Indefinite Delivery-Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to establish native savanna seed mixes. The goal is to improve oak-pine savannas within the Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District by increasing native wildflowers and grasses, which will reduce fuel loading, create natural fuel breaks, and enhance habitat for game species.

• The contractor will grow, clean, package, and deliver native savanna seed mixes.

• Actual seed orders will be placed via Task Orders issued under the IDIQ contract.

• The IDIQ contract has a base CLIN (0001) for per pound pricing and includes CLIN 0002 as the first Task Order. Additional Task Orders (2001, 3001, 4001, 5001) will be issued during their respective ordering periods.

• Task Orders will allow for one calendar year for seed production.

• Seed will be packaged into individually sealed bags labeled with scientific name, percent pure live seed, weight, origin, and production year.

• Seed origin is preferred to be from the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Substitutions require COR approval and will follow a specified order of preference (Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, northern Indiana, northern Illinois, northern Ohio).

• If specific species or location origin becomes unavailable, the Contractor will contact the COR for approval of acceptable substitutions.

• The IDIQ contract period of performance is five years from the date of award.

• Task Orders will have a delivery date of November 15 of the next calendar year.

• Task Order 1 (Line Item 0002) has a delivery date of November 15, 2027.

• Seed will be delivered to the Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District.

• The genetic origin of each seed species will be confirmed during the issuance of Task Orders.

• Seed will be packaged in a commercially acceptable way to prevent damage and loss.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Appendix C: Plants Used for Nectar by Adults," is an attachment to a SAM.gov opportunity record. It provides a comprehensive list of nectar plant species utilized by the Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) for adult feeding. This information is crucial for understanding habitat requirements and potential restoration or conservation efforts related to this endangered species.

• Nectar Plant Lists: The appendix details numerous herbaceous and woody plant species, categorized by their use as nectar sources for either the first or second brood of adult Karner blue butterflies.
• Scientific and Common Names: Each plant is identified by its scientific name and common name.
• Location Data: The geographic locations (states and provinces) where each plant is utilized by the butterfly are provided.
• References: Citations are included for the sources of this data, indicating the research and observations supporting the findings.

This attachment is highly relevant for bidders involved in environmental consulting, ecological restoration, habitat management, or conservation projects, particularly those related to endangered species like the Karner blue butterfly. Understanding the specific nectar sources is essential for developing effective habitat management plans, conducting environmental impact assessments, or proposing solutions that support the recovery of this species. Bidders may need to demonstrate knowledge of or propose strategies that incorporate these plant species into their project plans.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Selecting Plants for Pollinators: A Regional Guide for Farmers, Land Managers, and Gardeners in the Laurentian Mixed Forest Province," serves as a resource to help individuals understand and support pollinator populations. It provides information on why pollinators are important, identifies different types of pollinators, and details plant traits that attract them. The guide also offers specific advice for developing pollinator-friendly landscapes on farms, public lands, and in home gardens.

• Pollinator Importance: Explains the critical role of pollinators in food production and ecosystem health.
• Pollinator Types: Details various pollinators including bees (bumble, carpenter, digger, leafcutter, mason, sweat, plasterer, yellow-faced, andrenid), butterflies, moths, flies, and birds.
• Plant Traits: Outlines flower characteristics (color, nectar guides, odor, nectar, pollen, flower shape) that attract specific pollinators.
• Habitat Requirements: Provides detailed information on the habitat and nesting needs for different types of bees.
• Plant Lists: Includes charts of plants that attract pollinators, their bloom periods, and their suitability for different habitats (trees, shrubs, perennial flowers, vines).
• Regional Focus: Specifically addresses the Laurentian Mixed Forest Province, including Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and parts of Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.
• Practical Advice: Offers actionable steps for farmers, land managers, and gardeners to create pollinator-friendly environments.

This document is relevant to bidders who may be involved in projects related to environmental restoration, conservation, landscaping, or agricultural support within the specified region. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the ecological needs of pollinators and the types of plants and habitats that support them. This information can be crucial for developing proposals that align with environmental stewardship goals, demonstrating an understanding of local ecosystems, and potentially identifying opportunities for native plant sourcing or habitat creation services.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an "Experience Questionnaire" (Attachment 4) for the "Native Savanna Seed Mix" opportunity. It is designed to collect information from potential bidders regarding their business experience, past performance, and organizational capacity.

• Contractor Information: Name, address, contact details, and type of business (Company, Co-Partner, Non-profit, Corporation, Individual).
• Experience: Years of experience in the line of work and as a prime contractor or subcontractor.
• Relevant Projects: A section to list up to three most relevant projects performed within the last three years, including contract number, award amount, contact information for references, date of completion, and a description of work performed.
• Current Contract Commitments: A table to list current contract commitments.
• Past Performance: Questions regarding failure to complete awarded work.
• Organization Information: Details on the number of employees, whether employees are regularly on payroll, and available equipment.
• Principal Individuals' Experience: A table to list the experience of key individuals, including their name, present position, years of experience, and type of work.
• Remarks: A section for additional comments.
• Certification: A statement by the bidder certifying the completeness and correctness of the information provided and authorizing references to release information.

Bidders must complete and submit this questionnaire as part of their proposal. The information provided will be used by the government to assess the bidder's experience and capability to perform the contract requirements for the Native Savanna Seed Mix opportunity.