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

Quick Summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), is soliciting quotations (RFQ) for the re-establishment of a Mexfly Citrus Research Grove at the Insect Management and Molecular Diagnostics Lab (IMMDL) in Edinburg, Texas. This is a Total Small Business Set-Aside with a NAICS code of 561730 ($9.5M size standard). The solicitation, modified to include a revised Statement of Work and new grove location, now closes on February 27, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET.

Scope of Work

The objective is to establish a new research citrus grove on approximately 2.5 to 4.3 acres to support fruit fly eradication and detection efforts. Key tasks include:

• Material Procurement: Sourcing a sand filtration tank (with automatic backwash, contractor-provided 277/480V, 3-phase power, concrete pad preferred), approximately 6000 linear feet of irrigation lines, valves, fittings, UV-stabilized woven polypropylene weed-barrier fabric ground cover, soil, compost, 650 linear feet of 50% windbreak panels (3m high) with posts, and a solar-powered remote weather station with sensors (Temp/RH, barometric pressure, solar radiation, rainfall, wind speed/direction).
• Land Preparation: Clearing the site of weeds, tree stumps, and old irrigation lines. Existing natural grass should be left between rows.
• Irrigation System Installation: Tapping into treated raw water lines (55psi), installing the sand filtration tank, and trenching, valving, and burying new water lines. Fertigation is required.
• 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 Southeast and Southwest perimeters and installing 3m tall, 50% windbreak mesh netting. An additional irrigation line will be run along the exterior for a future natural windbreak.
• Weather Station Installation: Installing a remote weather station with specified sensors; cellular/remote data access is required (government handles activation/fees).

Period & Place of Performance

• Place of Performance: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), 22675 N Moorefield Road, Edinburg, TX 78541.
• Period of Performance: All work must be completed by April 30, 2026.
• Key Milestones: 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).

Contract Details

• Type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (Request for Quotation - RFQ) for a service contract.
• Duration: Total duration not to exceed four (4) months.
• Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside.
• NAICS: 561730, with a small business size standard of $9.5 million.
• Government-Furnished Property: None.
• Security: On-site contractors require background screening and daily check-ins.

Submission & Evaluation

• Submission Requirements: Contractors must submit pricing for all items to be considered responsive. Offers must hold prices firm for 90 calendar days.
• Evaluation Criteria: Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government, based on:
  • Technical Evaluation: Capability Statement and Key Personnel.
  • Past Performance: Ability to demonstrate adherence to schedule and completion of similar work.
  • Price: Submitted quote.
• Questions Deadline: The stated deadline of January 12, 2026, has passed.
• Anticipated Awards: One award is anticipated.

Additional Notes

This acquisition incorporates provisions and clauses by reference, including those related to the Service Contract Act (SCA) wage rates for Hidalgo County, TX (Attachment 3). The USDA Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests (OPAP) is available for informal and formal protest resolution.