Vegetation Management Services for Chattahoochee-Oconee & Conasauga Ranger Districts

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for vegetation management services on the Oconee Ranger District (ORD) and Conasauga Ranger District (CRD) of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. The acquisition is set-aside for small business concerns. The government will not supply materials or equipment.

The contractor will provide vegetation management services including:

• Chemical, foliar, cut-surface, basal bark, and mechanical vegetation treatments.
• Treatments to reduce competition, prepare sites for planting, and release planted seedlings.
• Furnishing all labor, equipment, herbicides, supervision, transportation, and materials.

Specific tasks include:

• Wildlife Chemical Treatment (Oconee Ranger District)

• Site Preparation for Planting (Foliar) (Oconee Ranger District)

• Site Preparation for Planting (Mechanical) (Oconee Ranger District)

• Tree release and weed (Basal Bark/Foliar/Mechanical) (Conasauga Ranger District)

• Anticipated contract type: Firm-fixed-price.

• Period of performance and estimated value are not specified in the provided excerpt.

• Quotations must be submitted for all items to be considered responsive.

• Award will be made to the offeror whose quotation represents the best value to the Government.

• Evaluation factors: Technical Capability, Past Performance, and Price. Technical Capability and Past Performance are combined and more important than Price, but Price becomes more important as non-price factors become similar.

• Technical Capability will be evaluated based on the ability to perform treatments, knowledge of herbicides, pesticide licenses, personnel/equipment availability, understanding of restrictions, and documentation capabilities.

• Past Performance will be assessed using references, USDA contract/order records, and federal databases (CPARS).

• Price will be evaluated on completeness and reasonableness.

• The evaluation method is Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA).

• Offers must be held firm for 90 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers.

• Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) Code: 115310 - Support Activities for Forestry.

• Small business size standard: $11.5 Million Dollars.

• Questions are due no later than April 15, 2026, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time.

• Questions should be submitted via email to Laniece Nixon (Laniece.nixon@usda.gov) with a courtesy copy to Shannon Wrobel (shannon.wrobel@usda.gov).

• The solicitation incorporates numerous FAR clauses and provisions by reference. Full text is available electronically at www.acquisition.gov.

• Includes specific clauses related to Anti-Discrimination and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Compliance.

• Information on filing agency protests is provided.

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

This document outlines the scope of work for vegetation management services for FY 2026 on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, specifically within the Oconee Ranger District and Conasauga Ranger District.

The contract involves three primary types of vegetation management:

• Wildlife Midstory Treatment: Services for wildlife midstory using foliar and/or hack and spray methods. No materials, labor, supervision, or equipment will be furnished by the Government.

• Site Preparation (Foliar Spray): Services for site preparation on harvest areas impacted by catastrophic insect damage using foliar spray. No materials, labor, supervision, or equipment will be furnished by the Government.

• Site Preparation (Mechanical): Services for site preparation on harvest areas impacted by catastrophic insect damage using mechanical methods (chainsaws and/or brush saws). No materials, labor, supervision, or equipment will be furnished by the Government.

• Estimated Start Date: August 1, 2026

• Contract Duration: 3 months

• Completion Date: October 31, 2026

• Project Locations:

  • Oconee Ranger District: Putnam, Jones, Jasper, Oglethorpe & Greene Counties, Georgia.
  • Conasauga Ranger District: Murray and Chattooga County, Georgia.

• Herbicide Application: Specific herbicides (Triclopyr amine/ester, Imazapyr) and application rates are detailed for different treatments (Cut Surface, Foliar). Contractors must supply herbicides and mix solutions.

• Equipment: Low-volume hand-operated backpack sprayers are specified. Equipment must be of sufficient power for cutting stems ranging from 2 to 4.9 inches DBH.

• Licensing and Insurance: Contractors must comply with Georgia Department of Agriculture regulations and possess relevant licenses (Pesticide Contractors License, Commercial Applicator's license).

• Safety and Compliance: Strict adherence to herbicide label instructions, EPA Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS), and safe handling/transportation procedures is required. Spill kits must be provided by the contractor.

• Reporting: Herbicide usage sheets detailing daily work, herbicide mixture used, and area treated must be submitted to the COR.

• Inspection: Work will be inspected by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or designated inspector. Performance will be assessed against Acceptable Quality Levels (AQLs).

• Vegetation Not to be Treated: Specific types of vegetation and areas (e.g., within 15 feet of private property lines, within 100 feet of water bodies, property boundary trees) are excluded from treatment.

• Inclement Weather: Work will be stopped under specific weather conditions (humidity, wind, temperature, rain).

• Contractor Furnished Property: Contractor is responsible for supplying herbicides, surfactants, adjuvant, and spray pattern indicators. Water for mixing will be available at the District Office.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Experience Questionnaire intended for potential bidders to provide information about their company's qualifications and past performance relevant to a solicitation. It is designed to help the government assess a contractor's capability to perform the work required.

• Contractor Information: Name, address, telephone number, email.
• Business Type: Corporation, Company-Co-Partner, Non-profit, Individual.
• Experience: Years of experience in the specific line of work and as a prime/subcontractor.
• Past Projects: Details of up to three most relevant projects completed within the last three years, including contract number, award amount, completion date, and a description of work performed. Contact information for references for these projects is also required.
• Current Contract Commitments: A list of all current contract commitments.
• Failure to Complete Work: A yes/no question regarding past failures to complete awarded work.
• Organization Information: Minimum and maximum number of employees, whether employees are regularly on payroll, and available equipment.
• Principal Individuals' Experience: Names, present positions, and years of experience for key individuals.
• Remarks: Space for additional details.
• Certification: A statement by the contractor certifying the accuracy of the information provided and authorizing references to release information.

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

Other / Unclassified

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination (No. 2015-4497, Revision No. 31) for the Service Contract Act. It lists occupational codes, titles, and corresponding minimum hourly wage rates and fringe benefits applicable to contracts in specific geographic areas. The document specifies rates for Georgia counties including Banks, Chattooga, Fannin, Franklin, Gilmer, Gordon, Greene, Habersham, Jackson, Polk, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, and White.

It also includes notes on Executive Orders 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and 13658 (minimum wage), detailing their applicability and requirements for federal contractors. Information on vacation and holiday entitlements, as well as a process for requesting additional classifications and wage rates (conformance process), is also provided.

This document is crucial for potential bidders as it establishes the minimum wage and benefit rates that must be paid to service employees working on a covered federal contract. Bidders must use this information to accurately calculate labor costs when preparing their proposals, ensuring compliance with the Service Contract Act and related executive orders. Failure to adhere to these wage and benefit requirements can lead to contract non-compliance and penalties.