Plant Management and Care Services
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 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center is seeking Plant Management and Care Services for its facilities in Bethesda, MD. This procurement is for a base year plus four option years contract to install, maintain, move, and remove interior plants, including seasonal displays, at the NIH Clinical Center Complex and the Edmond J. Safra Lodge. The acquisition is being conducted under FAR Part 13 – Simplified Acquisition Procedures, with consideration for a potential single source if only one is reasonably available. Responses are due by January 27, 2026.
Scope of Work
The contractor will provide all necessary services, labor, materials, and equipment for:
- Interior Plant Care: Maintaining live and silk plants, including watering, fertilizing, pruning, dusting, replacing dead/unattractive plants, and pest/disease control (with strict pesticide limitations).
- Plant Standards: Providing high-quality (Foliage No. 1 grade equivalent) plants that are healthy, well-formed, and acclimatized to lower light conditions.
- Holiday Displays: Supplying and installing live poinsettias and other seasonal displays, including decorating one 15-foot artificial Christmas tree and providing Easter Lilies.
- Silk Plants: Cleaning and maintaining existing silk plants and installing new ones as specified.
- Plant Replacement: Responsibility for replacing plants that deteriorate in health or appearance, except for damage beyond contractor control.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Solicitation for a Base plus 4 Option Years contract
- Duration: Base Period (February 1, 2026 - January 31, 2027) with four Option Periods extending through January 31, 2031.
- Set-Aside: None specified; acquisition conducted under FAR Part 13.106-1(b)(1) for potential single source.
- Response Due: January 27, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
- Published: January 20, 2026
- Place of Performance: NIH Clinical Center Complex and Edmond J. Safra Lodge, Bethesda, MD. Contractor must be headquartered or have service locations within the Washington Metropolitan area.
Special Requirements & Qualifications
- Pesticide Use: Strictly prohibited on premises due to the hospital environment; infested plants must be removed and replaced.
- Patient Care: Avoid plants that could impact immuno-compromised patients; adhere to CDC and Joint Commission guidelines.
- Contractor Qualifications: Must be a specialty contractor with an established reputation in interior plant maintenance, possess a valid pesticide applicator license (Category III-I Ornamental), and demonstrate experience in comparable healthcare institutions.
- Deliverables: Monthly invoices, visit reports upon request, and provision of all labor, materials, plants, and transportation.
Submission Information
Interested parties may identify their interest and capabilities in response to this posting. Comments and responses, referencing the posting number, should be submitted via email to Ryssa Nix (Ryssa.nix@nih.gov) by the closing date.