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

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

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).

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.