USDA Forest Service Superior Ranger District Planting and Netting

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for tree planting and flexible netting maintenance services on lands administered by the Lolo National Forest, Superior Ranger District. The contractor will be responsible for providing all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies (except Government-furnished items), and incidentals to perform the required work.

• Tree handling and planting.

• Flexible netting installation and maintenance.

• Specific tasks include: Second Skinny Flexible Netting Maintenance (varying tpa rates) and Green Breen Planting (various types and quantities).

• The Government intends to make one award.

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

• Submission: Quotes must include a technical proposal, price proposal, and a completed Employment of Eligible Workers - Workforce Certification. Submit via email to joanne.meiers@usda.gov by the due date. Ensure confirmation of receipt.

• Technical Proposal Requirements: Must include Past Performance (list of similar projects from the last three years with details) and Experience (completed Attachment 7 Experience Questionnaire). Demonstrable successful experience of similar size and scope is required.

• Price Proposal Requirements: Include the completed Schedule of Items and acknowledgement of any amendments.

• Evaluation: Award will be made to the quoter representing the best value to the Government. Evaluation is based on Price (fair and reasonable) and Technical Acceptability (sound and compliant approach). Only the lowest priced quote will be evaluated for Technical Acceptability and Past Performance. If not acceptable, the process continues with the next lowest priced quote.

• Key Deadlines: Questions due by February 2, 2026, 5:00 PM Mountain Time.

• Contractors must have an active entity registration in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• Compliance with Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA) and Farm Labor Contractor (FLC) Certificate of Registration requirements is mandatory. Specific certifications for H-2B workers or MSPA workers are required if applicable.

• The solicitation includes various FAR clauses related to small business concerns, including HUBZone, Total Small Business Aside, Utilization of Small Business Concerns, and Small Business Subcontracting Plan.

• This document incorporates numerous FAR and AGAR clauses by reference. Full text is available upon request or electronically.

• Several attachments are referenced, including Statement of Work, Area Maps, Summary of Information Chart, Exhibits, Wage Determination, and Experience Questionnaire.

• The contract is subject to the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA).

• Agency protests can be filed with the Contracting Officer or the USDA Ombudsman Program.

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

This contract is for tree planting and netting installation on lands administered by the Lolo National Forest, Superior Ranger District. The goal is to ensure successful reforestation and protection of young trees.

• Tree Planting: Contractor will perform tree planting using bareroot and container-grown stock in specified units. This includes site preparation (scalping, clearing debris), proper tree handling, planting according to specific depth and orientation standards, and ensuring adequate spacing and micrositing (shade).

• Netting Installation (ADC): Contractor will install flexible netting or rigid protection tubes around seedlings to protect them from browsing by big game. Installation must be done correctly to avoid damaging the trees.

• Access: Contractor is responsible for clearing subsequent falling trees blocking access roads after initial government clearing. Contractor must also manage locked gates by closing and locking them after passage.

• Tree Handling & Care: Strict guidelines are provided for ordering, delivery, handling, and care of trees from delivery to planting to prevent damage or drying. This includes maintaining root moisture, protecting trees from environmental damage, and proper storage.

• Planting Quality: Must meet or exceed 93% quality for full payment. Below 93% but at least 80% results in a deduction. Below 80% results in no payment.

• ADC Installation Quality: Similar quality standards apply (93% for full payment, deductions between 80-93%, no payment below 80%).

• Wasted Trees/Materials: Charges will be assessed for mishandled, damaged, or excess trees/materials.

• Quality Control: Contractor must provide a Quality Control Plan and conduct plot inspections (minimum 1% of planted area, 5 plots per subitem) to ensure compliance.

• Contract Period: September 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.

• Place of Performance: Lolo National Forest, Superior Ranger District, within the Second Chance Timber Sale Area and Green Breen Timber Sale Area.

• Government-Furnished Property: Includes bareroot and container-grown trees, tree wrapping materials, flexible netting, inspection sheets, and gate keys.

• Contractor Personnel: Requires a designated Superintendent/Onsite Representative and Foreman. Specific crew configuration and inspector ratios are mandated.

• Safety: Contractor must address crew safety, especially in areas with snags and burned trees.

• Work Plan: Contractor must submit a work plan and schedule prior to commencing work.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 4 Summary Information Chart.xlsx," appears to be a detailed breakdown of task order requirements for the LNF2025 opportunity. It provides specific data related to tree planting and maintenance activities, including quantities, locations, and specifications.

• Activities: Includes "Flexible Netting Maintenance" and "Tree Planting."
• Locations/Units: Specifies various units such as "Second Chance" and "Green Breen" with associated codes (e.g., F08, G02).
• Quantities: Details the number of trees required (e.g., 46100 for Fall 2026 netting maintenance, varying amounts for Spring 2027 tree planting) and total trees per acre.
• Specifications: Includes elevation ranges for transfer zones, stock types (e.g., PP Only, Bareroot), and spacing requirements (e.g., 12x12).
• Special Clauses: Mentions a "Shade Clause" for specific tree planting units, detailing material transport and planting order.

This attachment is crucial for bidders to understand the specific scope and scale of the tree planting and maintenance work. It provides the detailed quantities, types of stock, and site-specific conditions that will inform pricing, resource allocation, and overall proposal strategy. Bidders must carefully review these details to accurately estimate costs and demonstrate their capability to meet the stated requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document contains maps and associated tables detailing specific areas within the Lolo National Forest for timber sales and related activities. It serves as a visual and tabular reference for bidders to understand the geographic scope and operational requirements of potential contracts.

• Maps: Multiple maps (e.g., "Second Skinny KVBD Map," "Green Breen KVBD Map," "Lost Creek Timber Sale Area") illustrate sale area boundaries, cutting unit boundaries, existing roads, streams, and other relevant features.
• Legends: Comprehensive legends explain the meaning of various symbols and line types used on the maps, including sale area boundaries, cutting units, roads, streams, and special treatment areas.
• Tables: Tables associated with each map provide detailed information for each cutting unit, including:
  • Unit number and acreage.
  • Specific silvicultural treatments required (e.g., "Burn Grapple Underburn," "Site prep for Planting," "Scarify Seed," "Girdle Larch").
  • Other activities such as "Fireline," "Slashing," and "Fuel Break."
  • Notes on "Required, Unfunded" activities.

This document is crucial for bidders to:

• Geographically locate the areas where timber sale and site preparation activities will take place.
• Understand the specific types and extent of silvicultural treatments and other work required within each cutting unit.
• Assess the feasibility and cost of performing the work based on the terrain, access, and specified treatments.
• Identify any special requirements or constraints indicated by the legends and tables.

Forms / Attachments / Pricing Sheets

This document contains several exhibits related to planting inspection and installation procedures. These exhibits are likely intended as attachments or supporting documentation for a solicitation or contract.

• Exhibit 01: Utilization of Material to Provide Shade: Illustrates methods for using existing or transported materials to provide shade for plantings.
• Exhibit 02: Satisfactory and Unsatisfactory Plantings: Provides visual examples and descriptions of correct and incorrect tree planting techniques, focusing on root structure, depth, and orientation.
• Exhibit 03: Planting Inspection Sheet: A form used to record the results of planting inspections, including details on plot size, spacing, number of trees planted, satisfactory trees (above and below ground), wasted trees, and overall quality percentage.
• Exhibit 04: Planting Inspection Method: Details the procedures and quality control plan for inspecting planting contracts, including suggested equipment, plot design, and above/below ground inspection criteria.
• Exhibit 05: Installation of Flexible Netting: Provides step-by-step instructions and figures for installing flexible netting on trees.
• Exhibit 06: Artificial Shade/ADC Installation Inspection Sheet: A form for inspecting the installation of artificial shade or Artificial Defoliation Control (ADC) netting/tubing, recording satisfactory/unsatisfactory treated trees, and calculating quality.

These exhibits provide critical details on the expected standards and inspection methods for tree planting and related installations. Bidders should review these documents to understand the specific requirements, quality expectations, and how their work will be evaluated and potentially paid for under any resulting contract. They outline the technical specifications and quality control measures that will be applied.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Wage Determination issued under the Service Contract Act (SCA) for the State of Montana, County of Mineral. It lists the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations that may be employed under a federal contract in this area. Bidders must use this information to ensure compliance with labor laws when proposing on relevant opportunities.

• Occupational Listings: Provides a comprehensive list of job titles, corresponding occupation codes, and the minimum hourly wage rate for each.
• Fringe Benefits: Specifies that fringe benefits are required and follow the occupational listing. The document later details Health & Welfare benefits ($5.55/hour or $222.00/week) and specific provisions for Executive Orders 13706 and 13658.
• Executive Orders: Includes notes on Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and Executive Order 13658 (minimum wage adjustments).
• Vacation and Holidays: Outlines requirements for paid vacation (based on years of service) and a minimum of eleven paid holidays.
• Hazardous Pay Differential: Details an 8% differential for high-hazard work and a 4% differential for low-hazard work involving ordnance and explosives.
• Uniform Allowance: Specifies requirements for providing or reimbursing uniform costs and maintenance.
• Conformance Process: Explains the procedure for classifying and determining wage rates for occupations not explicitly listed in the determination.

This wage determination is critical for bidders to accurately calculate labor costs for their proposals. Failure to comply with the specified minimum wages and fringe benefits can lead to bid disqualification or contract non-compliance. Bidders must ensure their proposed labor rates meet or exceed these requirements for all covered employees.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Experience Questionnaire intended for potential bidders to complete. It serves to gather information about a contractor's qualifications, past performance, and capacity to undertake the work contemplated by the solicitation.

• Contractor Information: Name, address, telephone number.
• Business Type: Classification (Company, Corporation, Partnership, etc.).
• Experience: Years in the line of work, years as prime/sub-contractor.
• Past Projects: Details of projects completed within the last three years, including contract amount, type, date completed, and owner contact information.
• Current Commitments: List of concurrent contractual obligations.
• Performance History: Questions regarding past failures to complete work or work completed by performance bond.
• Site Visit: Confirmation of whether the project site was visited.
• Resources: Information on available employees (minimum/maximum, payroll status) and equipment.
• Key Personnel: Experience of individuals who will be directly involved in the contract.
• Remarks: Space for additional relevant information.
• Certification: A statement by the certifying official attesting to the accuracy of the information provided.

Bidders must complete this questionnaire accurately and thoroughly. The information provided will be used by the government to evaluate the bidder's experience, capability, and capacity to successfully perform the requirements of the solicitation. Failure to provide complete and correct information may impact the evaluation of the bidder's proposal.