Aerial Seeding Kaibab National Forest

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document lists the "2025 State Noxious-Weed Seed Requirements" for Arizona, recognized under the Administration of the Federal Seed Act. It specifies prohibited and restricted noxious weeds that must not be present in regulated seed.

• Prohibited Noxious Weeds: A comprehensive list of common and scientific names for weeds that are strictly forbidden in regulated seed.
• Restricted Noxious Weeds: A list of weeds that are permitted only as contaminants in certified or registered seed, with specific limitations.

Vendors involved in seed procurement or distribution within Arizona must be aware of these requirements to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. This list is critical for seed quality control and for avoiding penalties related to the presence of prohibited or restricted noxious weeds.

Other / Unclassified

This document, titled "2025 State Noxious-Weed Seed Requirement," outlines the list of noxious-weed seeds recognized under the Federal Seed Act. It specifies that these seeds, or their bulblets, are prohibited from being transported or delivered for transportation in interstate commerce if found in agricultural or vegetable seeds. The document provides a comprehensive list of these "noxious-weed seeds" for which no tolerance will be applied.

This document is relevant to bidders involved in the agricultural or vegetable seed industry, particularly those engaged in interstate commerce. It informs them about specific seed types that are strictly regulated and cannot be included in shipments. Understanding this list is crucial for ensuring compliance with federal regulations and avoiding penalties related to the transport of prohibited noxious-weed seeds.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a map illustrating the "White Sage Fire Aerial Seeding Treatments." It visually delineates areas designated for seeding and the perimeter of the White Sage Fire.

• Seeding Treatment Area: Outlined with diagonal hatching, indicating specific zones targeted for aerial seeding.
• White Sage Fire Perimeter: Marked with a red outline, showing the boundary of the fire.
• Soil Burn Severity: Color-coded areas representing different levels of burn severity: Unburned, Low, Moderate, and High.
• Topography: Contour lines are visible, providing context on the terrain.
• Scale Bar: Indicates distances in miles.

This map is crucial for understanding the geographical scope and specific locations requiring aerial seeding treatments. It helps bidders visualize the terrain, the extent of the fire's impact (burn severity), and the precise areas designated for treatment, which is essential for planning and executing the seeding operations.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "State Noxious-Weed Seed Requirements" publication for the year 2025, recognized in the administration of the Federal Seed Act. It serves as a comprehensive reference for seed dealers and others involved in the seed industry, detailing state-specific regulations and prohibitions regarding noxious-weed seeds.

• State-by-State Breakdown: The publication lists noxious-weed seed requirements for each U.S. state, including prohibited and restricted noxious-weed seeds, common and scientific names, and associated limitations (e.g., seeds per pound).
• Federal Seed Act Context: It clarifies the definition of "noxious-weed seed" under the Federal Seed Act and how it relates to state laws.
• Appendices: Includes cross-references for common and scientific names to aid in identification and compliance.
• Updates and Corrections: Provides contact information for submitting updates and corrections to the state seed control officials and the USDA Seed Regulatory and Testing Division.
• Note on Dealer Responsibility: Emphasizes that seed dealers are responsible for verifying name variations used by each state.

This document is crucial for any bidder involved in the agricultural or horticultural seed industry. It directly impacts:

• Product Compliance: Ensures that any seed products offered for sale or distribution comply with the specific noxious-weed seed regulations of each state.
• Labeling Requirements: Dictates the necessary information that must be included on seed labels regarding noxious-weed seed content.
• Market Access: Failure to comply with these state-specific regulations can lead to rejection of shipments, fines, and exclusion from certain markets.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "2025 State Noxious-Weed Seed Requirements Recognized in the Administration of the Federal Seed Act - UTAH," outlines the specific noxious weed seed requirements for agricultural, vegetable, flower, tree, and shrub seeds sold, offered, or distributed in Utah for the year 2025. It details prohibited and restricted noxious weed seeds and their allowable limits.

• Prohibited Noxious Weed Seeds: Lists common and scientific names of plants whose seeds are determined to be injurious and especially troublesome. It is unlawful to sell seeds containing these.
• Restricted Noxious Weed Seeds: Lists common and scientific names of seeds that are allowed in crop seed up to a maximum of 27 seeds per pound, either as a single species or in combination.
• Maximum Percentage of Weed Seeds by Weight: Specifies allowable percentages for certain weed seeds (Cheat, Chess, Japanese brome, Red brome, Downy brome) in grass seeds (2% maximum). For other weed seeds not listed, the maximum percentage by weight allowed is 1% for grass, flower, or tree and shrub seeds, and 0.50% for other kinds or types of weed seeds.

Bidders responding to opportunities involving the sale, distribution, or use of seeds in Utah must ensure their products comply with these 2025 state requirements. This includes verifying that seed lots do not contain prohibited noxious weed seeds and adhere to the specified limits for restricted noxious weed seeds and overall weed seed content by weight. Failure to comply could impact the eligibility or acceptance of offered products.

Solicitation / RFQ

This document is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). It constitutes the only solicitation, and proposals are being requested in lieu of a separate written solicitation.

• The specific requirement is detailed in an attached Statement of Work (SOW).

• The Schedule of Items and Price Schedule are provided in an attached document.

• Delivery and acceptance locations are specified in an attached Form 1449.

• The procurement is set aside for full and open competition.

• NAICS Code: 115310, Support Activities for Forestry.

• Small Business Size Standard: $11.5M.

• Submission:

  • Offerors must have an active entity registration in the System for Award Management (SAM).
  • A Price Proposal, including the completed Attachment 2 Schedule of Items, must be submitted.
  • Any amendments to the solicitation must be acknowledged.
  • The Price Proposal (Schedule of Items) must be in EXCEL FORMAT with WORKING FORMULAS. Proposals not in this format will not be accepted.
  • Submit offers via email to veronica.beck@usda.gov by the due date and time.

• Evaluation Criteria:

  • Quotes will be evaluated based on the criteria in FAR 12.203, with award made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government.
  • Evaluation will consider Price, Technical Acceptability, and Past Performance.
  • Price: Include quantity price discounts and prompt payment discounts. Pricing for the base period is required.
  • Technical Acceptability: Rated as "acceptable" or "unacceptable." Submitting a quotation implies the ability to perform all requirements.
  • Past Performance: Evaluated using references, USDA contract information, Federal Government sources, or CPARS. Ratings are Acceptable, Neutral, or Unacceptable.
  • Evaluation Method: Lowest price technically acceptable criteria. Only the lowest priced offer will be evaluated for Technical Acceptability. If unacceptable, the process continues with the next lowest priced offer.

• Full and open competition.

• Questions Due: Not explicitly stated, but questions should be addressed to Veronica Beck at veronica.beck@usda.gov.

• Offers Due: June 04, 2026, at 10:30 AM PST.

• Point of Contact: Veronica Beck, veronica.beck@usda.gov, 951-405-4068.

• This solicitation incorporates FAR clauses and provisions by reference, including FAR 52.212-1 (Instructions to Offerors) and FAR 52.212-2 (Evaluation).

• Large attachments may increase email delivery time.

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

To implement an emergency aerial seeding project to prevent invasive species (cheatgrass and noxious weeds) from infesting areas of the White Sage Fire footprint. This is crucial for protecting the habitat of the Kaibab plains cactus, a rare plant species.

• Aerial seeding of approximately 700 acres within the Kaibab plains cactus habitat area in the North Kaibab Ranger District, Kaibab National Forest, Arizona.

• Treatment units are located within the White Sage Fire perimeter, specifically in the Trail Canyon and House Rock Canyon watersheds.

• Suitable areas for treatment are those that burned at moderate or higher vegetation mortality (above 25% basal area), with less than 30% slope, and low to moderate erosion potential.

• The seed mixture specified includes: 7 seeds of western wheatgrass, 5 seeds of bottlebrush squirreltail, 3 seeds of prairie junegrass, and 15 seeds of Sterile Triticale (QuickGuard) per square foot, totaling 30 seeds per square foot.

• Achieve a continuous cover of uniform thickness across the entire unit.

• Seed must be certified weed and trash-free.

• Seed must be free from prohibited, restricted, and forest-prohibited weed species, with specific limitations on cheatgrass, Japanese brome, Russian thistle, yellow bluestem, and Caucasian bluestem.

• Seed must meet minimum germination (80%) and purity (90%) standards.

• Provide documentation of seed delivery, seed tags, transportation paperwork, and seed lab test results.

• Anticipated Start Date: June 15, 2026, contingent on award and weather conditions.

• Period of Performance: 30 days, including processing, handling, application, weather delays, and invoicing.

• Flying time for seeding is estimated at 4-5 days.

• Location: North Kaibab Ranger District, Kaibab National Forest, Arizona.

• All services must be performed safely, effectively, and in an environmentally aware manner, complying with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

• Contractor must maintain safety programs for ground and flight operations.

• Contractor is responsible for environmental protection, including proper disposal of waste and spill prevention.

• Site-specific safety plans, aviation safety plans, and site-specific rehabilitation plans are required.

• Contractor must provide all necessary equipment, including aircraft and application equipment.

• Staging areas must be selected, managed, and restored by the contractor.

• Communication systems must be in place for coordination between contractor personnel and government inspectors.

• Quality Control (QC) plan must be submitted and followed by the contractor.

• Government will conduct Quality Assurance (QA) inspections.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a solicitation for commercial items, specifically for services related to the application of certified weed and trash-free seed. The government is procuring services to spread seed evenly across a specified area.

• Application of certified weed and trash-free seed at a rate of 30 seeds per square foot.

• Seed to be spread evenly across the unit in canyon terrain.

• Contractor must provide all equipment, supplies, transportation, labor, and supervision.

• Materials include processing and handling of the seed mix.

• Hourly rate for mobilization (mob) and demobilization (demob) within the State of Arizona for the White Sage Fire.

• Daily per diem rates per employee, mileage by truck class, number of trucks per class, and airmiles for each aircraft are to be included in the hourly rate.

• Period of Performance: June 15, 2026, to July 14, 2026.

• Delivery Date: July 14, 2026.

• Offer due date: June 4, 2026, 10:30 AM PT.

• The solicitation incorporates FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4, and 52.212-5 by reference.

• NAICS Code: 115310 (Forestry and Logging Support Activities).

• Size Standard: $11.5 million.

• The acquisition is set aside for Small Business.

• The issuing office is USDA-FS CSA Southwest 4 in Albuquerque, NM.

• The delivery location is USDA Forest Service in Fredonia, AZ.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Schedule of Items, likely intended for pricing and submission as part of a proposal. It details the specific items and services the government is seeking to procure.

• Item 0001a: Hourly rate per aircraft for certified weed and trash free seed application (30 seeds/sq ft) in canyon terrain. Includes all equipment, supplies, transportation, labor, and supervision. Staging areas TBD.
• Item 0001b: Materials cost (processing and handling) in pounds (lbs) per acre for a native seed mix (30 seeds/sq ft).
• Item 2: Hourly rate per day for mobilization (mob) and demobilization (demob) within Arizona for the White Sage Fire. Costs are based on daily per diem, truck mileage, and aircraft airmiles.
• Pricing Structure: Items 0001a and 0001b are to be quoted as a unit (a+b).
• Project Scope: Includes an option for Project #1: Processing, handling, and application of seeding up to 700 acres.

Bidders must use this schedule to determine their pricing for the specified services. They need to provide rates for hourly aircraft application (0001a), material processing and handling (0001b), and daily mob/demob (Item 2). The requirement to quote 0001a and 0001b as a combined unit is a key instruction for proposal preparation.