Seeding IDIQ for NRCS-SD statewide

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

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for Easement Restoration and Emergency Watershed Protection services to be provided to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in South Dakota. The goal is to support the NRCS mission of helping people conserve, maintain, and improve natural resources and the environment.

• Core Services: Seedbed preparation, purchase of seed mixes, seeding, and post-seeding establishment clippings.

• Restoration Activities: Implementing easement restoration plans, including development, procurement, and implementation of vegetation seeding (herbaceous forbs and legumes) plans and wetland restoration plans.

• Tasks: Includes vegetation mix selection, seed mix procurement, installation (seedbed preparation and seeding), and stand establishment.

• Deliverables: Photo documentation, GPS generated maps, and written reports on site visits and stand establishment.

• Timeliness: Tasks to be completed by scheduled due date 90% of the time.

• Quality: At least 99% of sampled data collections must not have a serious deficiency.

• Stand Establishment: Contractor is responsible for stand failure during the establishment period (two full growing seasons after seeding).

• Quality Control: Contractor must implement an effective Quality Control Program (QCP).

• Performance Evaluation: Based on the Performance Requirements Summary (PRS), with surveillance methods including 100% sampling.

• Services are to be performed within the state of South Dakota.

• The contractor must have a working office with employees/staff based within South Dakota.

• Stand establishment period is two full growing seasons after seeding.

• Personnel: All contractor personnel must be fully qualified. A Project Manager with a minimum of 2 years of field experience installing native grass and native forb seeding is required. Personnel must execute a non-disclosure statement.

• Compliance: Adherence to all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and directives, including safety and security requirements.

• Equipment: Contractor-furnished equipment must be maintained in a safe and serviceable condition.

• Seed Mixes: Must use NRCS-approved seed mixes, with specific requirements for origin and scientific nomenclature. Modifications to standard seed mixes require NRCS approval.

• Communication: Professional communication with COR and landowners/producers.

• Reporting: Bi-weekly task updates, accident reports, inspection/visit reports, and contract discrepancy reports as required.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides detailed seed mix specifications for various ecological sites, likely intended for use in land restoration or revegetation efforts related to the opportunity. It includes specific seed compositions, quantities, and characteristics.

• Seed Mixes: Details for "TGP Monarch(ST)", "MGP Monarch(ST)", "Border Mix (TGP & MGP)", "Tall Grass Prairie", "Mixed Grass Prairie", "Mixed Grass Prairie (CpTCpCy)", "Tall Grass Prairie Wetter", "River Bottom Floodprone", "Wet Meadow", and "Saline Lowland" mixes.
• Species Information: For each mix, includes common and scientific names, habit, succession stage, Coefficient of Conservatism (CC), heterogeneity, Monarch butterfly use, nesting cover, pollinator bloom period, herbicide tolerance, PLS Seeds/LB, #PLS/Acre, Seeds/ft², % of Mix by weight, cost per LB, and cost per species.
• Mix Characteristics: Provides data on conservatism guilds (Early, Mid, Late Successional), overall Mix Conservatism, Floristic Quality Index (FQI), and Simpson's Evenness.
• Site-Specific Data: Includes MLRA (Major Land Resource Area) and Site information for each mix.
• Forage Production: Estimated forage production values are provided for some mixes.
• Salt Tolerance: Specific data on salt tolerance is included for the "Saline Lowland" and "Wet Meadow" mixes.

Bidders will need to understand these seed mix specifications to determine their capability to source and provide the required seed mixes, or to incorporate these requirements into their proposed approach and pricing. The document details the specific plant species, their proportions, and ecological considerations, which are critical for successful project execution.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a combined synopsis/solicitation for Easement Restoration Services and Emergency Watershed Protection, specifically for Seedbed Preparation, Seeding, and Post Seed Clippings in South Dakota. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service requires these services under an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract anticipated to be for five years.

• Seedbed Preparation

• Seeding

• Post Seeding Clippings

• All deliverables must comply with current versions of specified documents, including Wetland Reserve Plan of Operations (WRPO), ACEP Manual, Standard Seed Mixes, and various Field Office Technical Guides.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price IDIQ

• Period of Performance: One (1) one-year base period and four (4) one-year option periods, not to exceed five years total.

• Multiple awards are possible if deemed to be in the best interest of the Government.

• Questions due: June 25, 2026, 12:00 PM Eastern Time.

• Quotes due: July 2, 2026, 12:00 PM Eastern Time.

• Evaluation: Quotes will be evaluated based on criteria including Technical Approach, Price, and Past Performance. Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government.

• Technical Approach evaluation will consider understanding of treatments, resource allocation, equipment, key personnel qualifications, and location.

• Price will be evaluated for fairness and reasonableness, and in relation to overall value.

• Past Performance requires at least two, but no more than five, examples of similar work in eastern South Dakota within the last five years.

• Offerors must be physically located in South Dakota, with offices and qualified employees in the state.

• Several small business provisions are applicable, including HUBZone, Small Business Aside, Utilization of Small Business Concerns, and Small Business Subcontracting Plan.

• Numerous FAR and AGAR clauses and provisions are incorporated by reference and must be reviewed.

• Service Contract Labor Standards apply; refer to Attachment 3 for SCA Wage Determinations.

• F.o.b. destination is requested for all deliverables; F.o.b. origin will be considered non-responsive.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides clarifications and answers to vendor questions regarding solicitation 12FPC126Q0010.

• Minimum Acreage: The minimum job seeding size is 40 acres.
• Historical Job Size: Average historical job size ranged from 85 to 160 acres, but could be higher.
• Obstruction Removal: Obstruction removal will not be part of this effort. "Picking rocks" is considered part of mechanical seedbed preparation and is not billed separately.
• Project Location: Work will be completed in South Dakota.
• CQM Professional: A certified Construction Quality Management (CQM) professional is not required.
• Stand Establishment: Details for "successful stand establishment" criteria after the two-year maintenance period are found in Section C.5.1.7.1.1 of the PWS.
• Reporting: Specific details regarding the level of detail required for stand establishment reports, including plant inventories, are provided in the attachments.
• Incidental Costs: Costs for site evaluations, seed procurement, pre-construction coordination, stand evaluations, reporting, and project management should be included within the unit price, not as separate line items.

This document clarifies key aspects of the solicitation, including scope, historical data, and specific requirements, which may impact how offerors develop their pricing and proposals.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document contains a list of Service Contract Act (SCA) Wage Determinations applicable to various counties within South Dakota. It is intended to inform bidders of the minimum wage and benefit rates required for service employees working on federal contracts in these locations.

• Wage Determination Numbers: Specific numbers assigned to each determination (e.g., 2015-5375, 2015-5377).
• State/Counties: Lists the specific counties within South Dakota covered by each wage determination.
• Revision Number: Indicates the revision level of the wage determination.
• Last Revised Date: The date the wage determination was last updated (May 13, 2026).
• Service: Specifies the type of service covered, typically "Standard (Area-Wide) Wage Determination."

Bidders must review these wage determinations to accurately calculate labor costs for their proposals. Failure to comply with the specified minimum wages and benefits can lead to non-compliance and potential disqualification. This document is crucial for understanding the labor cost implications of the opportunity in the specified geographic areas.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a pricing schedule attachment for a SAM.gov opportunity. It details various practices and their associated unit types and prices, organized by year (YR 1 through YR 5).

• Practice Codes and Names: Includes codes like 315 (Herbaceous Weed Control), 643 (Restoration of Rare or Declining Communities), and 657/658 (Wetland Restoration).
• Components: Specific tasks within each practice, such as "Stand Establishment - Chemical weed control," "Seeding - Chemical seedbed preparation," and various specific seed mixes for uplands and wetlands.
• Unit Type: Primarily "Acre" for all listed practices.
• Unit Price: This column is left blank in the provided text, indicating that bidders are expected to fill in their proposed unit prices.
• Notes: Specific instructions are included for certain mechanical seedbed preparation tasks, particularly regarding haying operations where the government is not paying for cutting, windrowing, raking, bailing, and hauling.

This pricing schedule is critical for bidders to understand the scope of services required and to formulate their cost proposals. Bidders must carefully review each practice, component, and unit type to accurately price their services. The blank "Unit_Price" fields indicate that this is a template for bidders to complete and submit as part of their proposal. The notes provide important clarifications on cost inclusions/exclusions for specific tasks.