Reform 8 Catfish Ponds

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for the "Reform 8 catfish ponds" project at the Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit in Stoneville, Mississippi. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 237990, with a Small Business Size Standard of $45.0 million. This procurement is a 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• Reform 8 catfish ponds.

• Performance period: 120 days after Notice to Proceed.

• Delivery Location: SEA Stoneville MS Location Support, 141 Experiment Station Road, Stoneville MS 38776.

• Period of Performance: August 17, 2026 to December 15, 2026.

• Award Type: Firm Fixed Price Purchase Order.

• Contract shall begin performance within 14 calendar days and complete within 120 calendar days after receiving notice to proceed.

• Offers are due by July 13, 2026, at 9:00 AM local time.

• Email responses in Adobe PDF format are authorized.

• Offerors must hold prices firm until September 30, 2026.

• Questions are due by June 29, 2026, at 4:00 PM CDT via email to josh.dobereiner@usda.gov.

• Evaluation will be based on the lowest price technically acceptable criteria.

• Technical Approach and Company Experience will be evaluated for acceptability.

• Past Performance will be evaluated as Acceptable, Neutral, or Unacceptable.

• Organized site visits are scheduled for June 23, 2026, and June 24, 2026. Registration is required by June 22, 2026.

• This is a 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• The solicitation incorporates numerous FAR clauses by reference. Full text is available upon request or electronically.

• Key FAR clauses include those related to construction, labor standards, Buy American, and contract administration.

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

The objective of this project is to re-form (8) existing 1/4 acre catfish ponds located at the Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit at USDA-ARS in Stoneville, MS.

• Re-form (8) existing 0.25-acre catfish ponds.

• USDA will drain ponds and kill weeds. Contractor will use existing soil sediment to grade pond bottoms level to the bottom of north drainpipe locations as shown on the drawing.

• Grade side slopes to a 4:1 ratio.

• Ensure finished pond depth is between 5 to 6 feet.

• Levees shall have a finished top width of at least 20 feet for ingress and egress.

• Contractor is responsible for providing all equipment, materials, brackets, and labor.

• Contractor shall utilize bio-based products and materials where possible.

• Ponds to be graded level to the bottom of north drainpipe locations.

• Side slopes to be 4:1 ratio.

• Finished pond depth between 5 to 6 feet.

• Levee top width of at least 20 feet.

• Site to be left clean, orderly, and in acceptable condition upon completion.

• The project completion shall not exceed 120 days from the date of Notice to Proceed.

• Location: USDA-ARS in Stoneville, MS.

• Contractor work hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding Government holidays.

• Contractor must submit a Site Safety Specific Plan/Accident Prevention Plan within 7 days of contract award.

• Contractor must verify all dimensions and site conditions prior to beginning work.

• Contractor must manage the project and consult with the Government.

• Work must not adversely affect daily operations of the facility.

• Contractor must have a Foreman on site during working hours.

• Contractor must provide their own restroom facility and dumpster.

• Contractor must remove all demolished material and debris from the worksite and dispose off-site.

• Submittals on all material incorporated into the work, including shop drawings and specifications, are required.

• Any damage to Government property must be repaired or replaced.

• Government inspection and acceptance of work is required. Schedule inspection at least 10 days in advance.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a "General Decision Number" (MS20260073) dated 05/18/2026, which specifies prevailing wage rates for heavy construction projects in Mississippi. It covers specific counties and lists wage rates and fringes for various labor classifications, including Ironworker, Truck Driver, Operator, Laborer, Electrician, Cement Mason, and Carpenter. The document also includes notes on Executive Orders related to paid sick leave for federal contractors (EO 13706) and minimum wage requirements (EO 13658), as well as information on how wage determinations are identified and the process for appealing wage determinations.

This document is relevant to bidders as it establishes the minimum prevailing wage rates that must be paid to laborers and mechanics employed on federal or federally assisted construction projects covered by the Davis-Bacon Act in the specified counties of Mississippi. Bidders must consider these wage rates when developing their cost proposals to ensure compliance with labor standards. The document also outlines important contractor obligations related to paid sick leave and minimum wage requirements under specific Executive Orders.