Conduct rare plant, invasive plant, and cultural plant surveys within the Kitchie Two Rivers Project Area
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The USDA Forest Service, Ottawa National Forest, is seeking Total Small Business contractors to conduct rare plant, invasive plant, and cultural plant surveys within the Kitchie Two Rivers Project Area in Michigan. This is a Request for Quote (RFQ) for commercial services. Quotations are due April 15, 2026, at 1700 Central Time.
Scope of Work
The contractor will perform plant surveys across 1,334 stands totaling 39,430 acres in Ontonagon, Houghton, and Iron Counties, Michigan. Surveys must follow Ottawa National Forest Botany Program protocols, including required first- and second-pass coverage (resurveying 40% of awarded stands). The work spans the field seasons of 2026, 2027, and 2028, with all surveys completed by September 15, 2028. Deliverables include GPS tracks, rare plant documentation, NNIP reporting, stand tracker data, species lists, and a final report, all due by October 15, 2028.
Contract Details
- Solicitation Number: 12443926Q0027
- Type: Request for Quote (RFQ) for Commercial Services
- Set-Aside: Total Small Business
- NAICS: 115310 – Support Activities for Forestry
- PSC: F099 – Natural Resources/Conservation – Other
- Period of Performance: Field seasons 2026-2028, completing by September 15, 2028, with final deliverables by October 15, 2028.
- Place of Performance: Ottawa National Forest, Ontonagon, Houghton, and Iron Counties, Michigan.
- CLIN Structure: CLIN 0001 for all services, requiring a single total price quote.
Submission Requirements
Offerors must submit a Technical Quotation addressing all Statement of Work (SOW) requirements, Pricing for CLIN 0001 (single total price), and Past Performance References (optional but recommended). Confirmation of SAM registration (UEI, CAGE) is also required. Quotes must be valid for 90 days from the due date.
Evaluation and Award
Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government, based on the following factors in order of importance:
- Qualifications and Experience: Demonstrated expertise with Upper Midwest flora, botany survey, and rare plant detection.
- Capacity: Availability of sufficient personnel and resources for multi-year surveys within field windows.
- Past Performance: Acceptable or neutral record.
- Price: Evaluated for fairness and reasonableness. No tradeoffs will be conducted; the highest technically rated offeror with fair and reasonable pricing and acceptable past performance will receive the award.
Key Attachments
Bidders must review the Statement of Work (SOW) for full technical requirements, Maps, Stand Lists, Rare Plant Lists, NNIP Priority Lists, and the Wage Rates document (Service Contract Act) for labor cost considerations. The Contract Clauses and Provisions document details the legal and regulatory framework.
Quote Submission
- Due Date: April 15, 2026, at 1700 Central Time (CT)
- Method: Email to david.easter@usda.gov
- Subject Line:
12443926Q0027 – Kitchie Two Rivers Plant Survey – Vendor Quote
Contact Information
- Primary Point of Contact: Ian K. Shackleford, COR (ian.shackleford@usda.gov, 906-285-6911)
- Secondary Point of Contact: David Easter (david.easter@usda.gov)