FL-LWR SUWANNEE NWR-HEAVY EQUIP RENTAL

Quick Summary

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is seeking proposals for heavy equipment rental services for forestry mulching and land clearing operations at the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, FL. This opportunity is a Small Business set-aside and will result in a Firm Fixed Price Commercial Services Contract. Proposals are due by April 20, 2026.

Scope of Work

The contractor will provide, deliver, maintain, and support specific heavy equipment. Key requirements include:

• Excavators: Two (2) 20-ton class excavators (e.g., Caterpillar 320 class) with operating weights of 40,000-50,000 lbs, fully enclosed cabs, and less than 500 operating hours at delivery. Each must be equipped with a dedicated power pack (350-370 HP) and a mulching head (e.g., Fecon Bull Hog BH62EXC-2V or approved equal, ~50-inch working width). Mulcher teeth maintenance is required every 300 hours.
• Skid Steers/CTLs: Two (2) high-flow skid steers or Compact Track Loaders (approx. 110 HP, 40 GPM high-flow) capable of operating a mulching head for 6-inch material, also with less than 500 operating hours at delivery (e.g., Caterpillar 299D3 XE).
• Fuel Trailer: At least one (1) diesel fuel trailer with a minimum 920-gallon capacity, including an integrated DEF system (e.g., Fuel Pro 950MT or Thunder Creek MTT 920).
• Operational Requirements: Contractor is responsible for delivery to specified sites, preventive maintenance, mulcher head tooth service, repairs, parts replacement, and labor. Equipment must maintain a minimum uptime standard, and inoperable machines must be repaired or replaced within 3 calendar days.
• Hurricane Preparedness: The contractor must pick up excavators and skid steers with attachments for storage and return them after a hurricane. The fuel trailer will remain at the Refuge.

Contract & Timeline

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price Commercial Services Contract (Combined Synopsis/Solicitation).
• Period of Performance: April 27, 2026, to September 30, 2026, with four additional one-week term options.
• Set-Aside: Small Business set-aside.
• NAICS Code: 532412, with a size standard of $40 million.
• Proposal Due: April 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET.
• Published Date: April 14, 2026.

Submission & Evaluation

• Submission: Electronic quotations must be emailed to robert_sung@fws.gov. The subject line must include "140F0S26Q0023". Questions are due 3 days prior to closing.
• Quotation Structure: Submissions require a non-price section (including written acknowledgement of equipment availability and hurricane pick-up plan) and a price section (completed Standard Form 1449 and a detailed price schedule).
• Evaluation: Award will be made to the responsible offeror whose proposal is most advantageous to the Government, considering Technical Acceptability (including past performance) and Price. Technical Acceptability and Past Performance are approximately equal to cost or price, and tradeoffs are not permitted.

Points of Contact

• Contracting Specialist: Robert Sung (robert_sung@fws.gov, 503-872-2825).
• Technical Contacts: Jason Coates (jason_coates@fws.gov, 352-614-2022) and John Stark (john_stark@fws.gov, 479-312-8892).