Reestablish a Mexfly Citrus Research Grove at Moore Air Base, Edinburg, Texas

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation seeks to re-establish a Mexfly Citrus Research Grove. The government anticipates awarding a service contract with a total duration not exceeding four (4) months.

Refer to Attachment 2 – Statement of Work for a comprehensive list of requirements. Key items listed in the Statement of Requirement include:

• Citrus Grove Sand Filtration Tank (Job EA)

• Irrigation Lines (EA)

• Ground cover (EA)

• Compost for raised beds (EA)

• Construct Raised Beds (EA)

• Award Type: Service contract

• Duration: Anticipated four (4) months, not to exceed four (4) months.

• Number of Awards: One award is anticipated.

• Submission Requirements: Contractors must submit pricing for all items to be considered responsive.

• Evaluation Criteria: Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government, based on Technical Evaluation, Past Performance, and Price.

  • Technical Evaluation: Capability Statement and Key Personnel.
  • Past Performance: Ability to demonstrate contractor can stick to a schedule and similar work completed.
  • Price: Quote.

• Period for Acceptance of Offers: Offerors must hold prices firm for 90 calendar days from the receipt of offers.

• Questions Deadline: January 12, 2026, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time, submitted via email to margaux.g.nenichka@usda.gov.

• Not explicitly stated, but numerous small business provisions are listed as potentially applicable.

• This solicitation incorporates provisions by reference (FAR 52.252-1). Full text is available upon request or electronically at https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-52.

• FAR 52.212-2 is not applicable; evaluation is in accordance with FAR 12.203.

• The document references Attachment 3 – Service Contract Labor Standards.

• Various FAR and AGAR clauses and provisions are incorporated by reference, including those related to anti-discrimination and DEI compliance (AGAR 452.203-70, 452.222-71).

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

To re-establish a research citrus grove at the Insect Management and Molecular Diagnostics Lab (IMMDL) in Edinburg, TX, during FY26 to support fruit fly eradication and detection efforts.

This project involves establishing a new citrus grove on approximately 2.5 to 4.3 acres. Key tasks include:

• Material Procurement: Sourcing a sand filtration tank, approximately 6000 linear feet of irrigation lines, valves, fittings, ground cover, soil, compost, 650 linear feet of 50% windbreak panels (3m high) with posts and installation components, and a solar-powered remote weather station with various sensors (Temp/RH, barometric pressure, solar radiation, rainfall, wind speed/direction).

• Land Preparation: Clearing the site of weeds, tree stumps, and old irrigation lines to prepare the 2.5-acre area.

• Irrigation System Installation: Tapping into raw water lines, installing the sand filtration tank, and trenching, valving, and burying new water lines.

• Raised Bed Construction: Building raised beds (8 ft wide at base, 6 ft wide at top, 1.5 ft deep) with dual drip lines, spaced 20 ft apart, filled with soil and compost, and covered with secured ground cover. Rows must allow vehicle passage.

• Windbreak Installation: Erecting 10 ft high posts (secured in concrete footings, 16 ft apart) along the SE and SW perimeters and installing 3m tall, 50% windbreak mesh netting. An additional irrigation line will be run along the exterior for a natural windbreak.

• Weather Station Installation: Installing a remote weather station with specified sensors according to manufacturer guidelines.

• Place of Performance: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), 22675 N Moorefield Road, Edinburg, TX 78541.

• Period of Performance: Must be completed by April 30, 2026.

• Government-Furnished Property: None.

• Security: On-site contractors require background screening and daily check-in with security guards.

• Delivery Schedule: Key milestones include material purchase (by March 15, 2026), land preparation (by Feb 15, 2026), irrigation installation (by March 30, 2026), raised bed construction (by April 15, 2026), and windbreak/weather station installation (by March 30, 2026).

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

To re-establish a research citrus grove at the Insect Management and Molecular Diagnostics Lab (IMMDL) in Edinburg, TX, during FY26 to support fruit fly eradication and detection efforts.

The project involves establishing a 2.5-acre grove at Moore Air Base. Key tasks include:

• Material Procurement: Supplying a sand filtration tank, approximately 6000 linear feet of irrigation lines, valves, fittings, ground cover, soil, compost, 50% windbreak panels (3m high) with posts, and a solar-powered remote weather station with various sensors (temperature, RH, barometric pressure, solar radiation, rainfall, wind speed/direction).

• Land Preparation: Clearing the 2.5-acre site of debris, including weeds, tree stumps, and old irrigation lines, to prepare for grove installation.

• Irrigation System Installation: Tapping into raw water lines, installing the sand filtration tank, and trenching/burying new water lines for the grove.

• Raised Bed Construction: Building raised beds (8 ft base width, 6 ft top width, 1.5 ft depth) with dual drip lines, spaced 20 ft apart, topped with 6 inches of compost, and covered with ground material.

• Windbreak Installation: Erecting 50% windbreak netting (3m tall) on the Southeast and Southwest perimeters, with posts installed 16 ft apart and secured in concrete footings. An additional irrigation line will be run for a natural windbreak.

• Weather Station Installation: Installing a remote weather station with specified sensors according to manufacturer guidelines.

• Place of Performance: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), 22675 N Moorefield Road, Edinburg, TX 78541.

• Period of Performance: Must be completed before March 30, 2026.

• Contractor Requirements: Must purchase and provide all specified materials and perform all installation tasks.

• Security: On-site contractors require background screening and daily check-ins with security.

• Government-Furnished Property: None.

• Purchase Materials: January 30, 2026

• Clear Land & Prepare Soil: February 15, 2026

• Install Filtration Tank & Irrigation: February 30, 2026

• Construct Raised Beds: March 15, 2026

• Install Wind Break Panels: March 30, 2026

• Install Weather Station: March 30, 2026

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains questions submitted by contractors regarding the "Cirtus Grove-12639526Q0012" opportunity and the government's responses, clarifying various aspects of the Statement of Work (SOW).

• Windbreak: The requirement for a windbreak has been removed. Instead, an irrigation water line will be run along the exterior for a future natural windbreak.
• Ground Cover: UV-stabilized woven polypropylene weed-barrier fabric is required for covering raised beds.
• Soil Preparation: Contractors can select appropriate agricultural tillage methods; the government will not specify depth of loosening but requires existing natural grass to be left between rows.
• Compost Placement: Compost can be placed as a top layer and incorporated during bed construction.
• Soil Fumigation: Pre-plant soil fumigation is not required, but soil treatment options are welcome if standard practice for pathogen prevention in the area.
• Water Source: The tie-in will be to treated water downstream of the on-base treatment system. The access point is along the road adjacent to the grove site (Row 1, T1-60), with a pressure of 55psi. No water quality data is available.
• Sand Filtration: An automatic backwash function is expected. Contractors are responsible for providing power supply from the MAB Wastewater Treatment Plant (277/480V, 3-phase transformer). A concrete pad is preferred for the filter tank due to the flood area, sized at the filter dimensions plus two feet all around and 2"x4" thick.
• Irrigation Automation: Manual valve control is acceptable; automation is not required.
• Weather Station: Cellular/remote data access is required, with activation and fees handled by the government. Minimum sensors include barometric pressure, solar radiation, rainfall, temperature/humidity, soil moisture, and wind speed/direction. Contractors may select the installation location per manufacturer guidance. Quotes should include all mounting hardware and commissioning.
• Site Visit: A site visit was held on January 20, 2026.
• Worksheet: The "Worksheet" provided during the site visit is for internal planning only; pricing should be based solely on the SOW and clarifications.
• Site Location Change: The plot location has changed to the site visited on Jan 20, near the wastewater facility.
• Fertigation: Fertigation is required, and contractor recommendations are requested.
• Row Orientation: Rows should be oriented perpendicular to the road off base.

Several design basis items and requirements have been clarified or changed, including the plot location, windbreak removal, and the addition of fertigation. Offerors should base their pricing on the SOW as clarified by these responses. A marked-up site map and defined irrigation criteria are requested for consistent pricing.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document appears to be a budget worksheet or cost estimate for a project titled "Re-establishing the citrus research grove at IMMDL TX". It details the estimated costs for various components of the project.

• Equipment: Includes costs for a sand filtration tank, remote monitoring weather station, and irrigation lines. The irrigation lines section specifies linear feet, roll costs, and estimated total cost.
• Supplies: Details the cost of grafted, disease-free citrus trees, including a per-tree cost and an adjustment for anticipated tree loss.
• Contracts or Sub awards: Outlines costs for land clearing and raised bed construction, with a per-acre estimate that includes ground cover.
• Totals: Provides subtotals for each category (Equipment, Supplies, Travel, Contracts/Sub awards, Other) and a final "Total Budget" figure.

This document provides a detailed breakdown of anticipated project costs. Bidders can use this information to understand the scale and scope of the project, estimate their own resource needs, and potentially inform their pricing strategies if this document is part of a solicitation package.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Register of Wage Determinations Under the Service Contract Act" for Hidalgo County, Texas. It provides the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations when performing contracts subject to the Service Contract Act. This information is crucial for contractors to ensure compliance with federal labor laws.

• Applicable Executive Orders: Details the applicability of Executive Order 14026 (minimum wage $17.75/hour for contracts awarded on or after January 30, 2022, or extended/renewed on or after that date) and Executive Order 13658 (minimum wage $13.30/hour for contracts awarded between January 1, 2015, and January 29, 2022, and not renewed/extended after January 30, 2022).
• Occupational Wage Rates: Lists specific wage rates for numerous job classifications, categorized by occupation type (e.g., Administrative Support, Automotive Service, Health Occupations, Information Technology).
• Fringe Benefits: Indicates that fringe benefits are required and follow the occupational listing. Specific benefits like Health & Welfare ($5.55/hour or $222.00/week) and paid sick leave (EO 13706) are detailed.
• Holidays: Lists eleven paid holidays per year.
• Conformance Process: Outlines the procedure for requesting additional classifications and wage rates if a required job classification is not listed in the determination.

Bidders must review this document to understand the minimum labor costs associated with performing the contract. The listed wage rates and fringe benefits must be factored into proposal pricing to ensure compliance with the Service Contract Act and relevant Executive Orders. Failure to comply can lead to penalties. The document also clarifies which employees are exempt from these wage determinations (e.g., bona fide executive, administrative, or professional employees).

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

To re-establish a research citrus grove at the Insect Management and Molecular Diagnostics Lab (IMMDL) in Edinburg, TX, to support fruit fly eradication and detection efforts.

This project involves the construction of a 2.5-acre citrus grove. Key tasks include:

• Material Procurement: Acquiring a sand filtration tank, irrigation lines (approx. 6000 linear feet), valves, fittings, ground cover, soil, compost, 50% windbreak panels (650 linear feet, 3m high), posts, installation components, and a solar-powered remote weather station with various sensors.

• Land Preparation: Clearing the 2.5-acre site of debris, including weeds, tree stumps, and old irrigation lines.

• Irrigation System Installation: Installing a sand filtration tank and new water lines, trenching, valving, and burying them to supply the grove from the MAB Water Treatment Plant.

• Raised Bed Construction: Building raised beds (8 ft wide at base, 6 ft wide at top, 1.5 ft deep) with dual drip lines, spaced 20 ft apart, filled with soil and compost, and covered with ground material.

• Windbreak Installation: Erecting 10 ft high posts (16 ft apart, secured in concrete) and installing 3m tall, 50% windbreak netting along the South East and South West perimeters.

• Weather Station Installation: Installing a remote weather station with sensors for temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed/direction, rainfall, and solar radiation.

• Place of Performance: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), 22675 N Moorefield Road, Edinburg, TX 78541.

• Period of Performance: Must be completed before March 30, 2026.

• Contractor Responsibilities: Purchase all required materials and perform all installation tasks.

• Government-Furnished Property: None.

• Security: On-site contractors require background screening and daily check-ins at the facility gate.

• Delivery Schedule Milestones:

  • Purchase materials: Jan 30, 2026
  • Clear land: Feb 15, 2026
  • Install irrigation: Feb 30, 2026
  • Construct raised beds: Mar 15, 2026
  • Install windbreak: Mar 30, 2026
  • Install weather station: Mar 30, 2026

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation seeks proposals for the re-establishment of a Mexfly Citrus Research Grove. The anticipated award type is a service contract with a total duration not exceeding four (4) months.

• The primary requirement is the establishment of a Citrus Grove, with detailed specifications found in Attachment 2 – Statement of Work.

• Attachment 3 – Service Contract Labor Standards is also referenced.

• The contract is anticipated to be a service contract.

• The total duration shall not exceed four (4) months.

• Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government.

• Evaluation criteria include: Technical Evaluation, Past Performance, and Price.

• Technical Evaluation requires a Capability Statement and Key Personnel.

• Past Performance requires demonstration of ability to adhere to schedule and completion of similar work.

• Price requires submission of a quote for all items.

• Offers must be held firm for 90 calendar days from the receipt of offers.

• Questions are due via email by January 12, 2026, 12:00 PM Eastern Time.

• The solicitation references various FAR provisions related to small business concerns, including FAR 52.207-6 and FAR 52.219 series provisions, suggesting potential set-aside considerations or requirements.

• FAR 52.212-2 is not applicable; evaluation is based on FAR 12.203.

• The Government intends to make one award.

• Contractors must submit pricing for all items to be considered responsive.

• Various FAR and AGAR clauses and provisions are incorporated by reference, including those related to System for Award Management (SAM) registration, security, anti-discrimination, and DEI compliance.