Maintain all designated Lawn Ares within the Deer River Compound

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

To maintain all designated lawn areas within the Deer River Ranger District office compound, ensuring a neat and professional appearance.

• Routine Mowing and Trimming: Maintain grass height not exceeding 4 inches, cut to 1.5-2 inches after mowing. Perform weekly during peak season (May-September), less frequently during dry periods. Inspect weekly for needs. Direct mowing away from structures and clear clippings from sidewalks and hard surfaces. Trim around obstacles for clean edges. Contractor provides all equipment, tools, fuel, and labor, ensuring equipment is well-maintained and muffled.

• Seasonal Clean-Up Services: Two services per year (spring and fall). Each clean-up up to 8 hours of labor and equipment. Includes removal and disposal of debris (leaves, branches, litter, winter debris), raking/blowing/sweeping hard surfaces, edging, weed removal, and general site preparation/winterization. Clean-ups scheduled with COR, requiring 48 hours advance notice. May be rescheduled due to weather/inaccessibility. Debris not to be burned on-site.

• Grass height not to exceed 4 inches.

• Site left neat and free of debris on hard surfaces.

• Periodic inspections by COR; deficiencies corrected within 48 hours at no cost.

• Failure to meet standards may result in payment deductions, re-performance, or contract remedies.

• Base Period: 2026 (May 15 – October 31, or as growing season dictates).

• Option Periods: Four one-year options (2027-2030).

• Location: Deer River Ranger District office compound (approx. 1235 Division Street, Deer River, MN).

• Areas to Maintain: Approximately 3 acres, including areas around the main office building, garages, bunkhouse, island in front of the office, along Hwy 6, and tree line edges.

• Comply with OSHA safety standards.

• Use low-impact practices to prevent erosion/runoff/damage to vegetation.

• No chemicals required unless specified by COR.

• Coordinate with District staff to minimize interference.

• Notify COR at least 24 hours in advance of routine mowing.

• Services not required during unsafe inclement weather; rescheduling allowed.

• Contractor shall maintain general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and workers' compensation. The United States shall be named as an additional insured.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for housekeeping, landscaping, and groundskeeping services for the Deer River Ranger District. The services include spring clean-up, lawn mowing, weed whipping, and fall clean-up.

• Spring Clean Up

• Lawn Mowing / Weed Whip

• Fall Clean Up

• The contract includes an initial period of performance from 05/15/2026 to 10/31/2026.

• There are four option line items (OPY 1, OPY 2, OPY 3, OPY 4) extending the period of performance through 10/31/2030.

• The North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) code is 561720.

• Offer Due Date: 05/15/2026 at 1500 CT.

• The solicitation is issued by USDA-FS CSA EAST 7.

• The acquisition is set aside for Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB).

• FAR clauses 52.212-1, 52.212-3, and 52.212-5 are incorporated by reference and attached.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, specifically for Lawn Care services on the Deer River Ranger District. It serves as a Request for Quotation (RFQ).

• Maintenance of all designated lawn areas within the Deer River Ranger District office compound.

• Services include routine mowing, trimming, edging, and seasonal clean-ups.

• Work must be performed safely and efficiently, complying with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including OSHA standards and USDA Forest Service guidelines for environmental protection.

• Anticipated contract type: Firm-fixed-price requirements contract.

• Period of Performance: One (1) one-year base period and four (4) one-year option periods, not to exceed five (5) years total.

• The government intends to make one award.

• Quotations are requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

• Offers are to be submitted to Debra.Derickson@usda.gov by May 15th, 2026.

• Quote package must include Signed SF1449, Schedule of Items (Attachment B), and Experience Questionnaire (Attachment D) in PDF Format.

• Evaluation will be based on Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) criteria.

• Technical Acceptability will assess the offeror's ability to meet requirements, including schedule, SOW details, and PWS performance.

• Past Performance will be evaluated as Acceptable, Neutral, or Unacceptable.

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

• Prices must be held firm for 90 calendar days from the offer receipt date.

• This acquisition is set-aside for small business concerns.

• The applicable North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) Code is 561720.

• This is a Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• Attachment A: Solicitation Terms and Conditions (includes applicable clauses, instructions, and evaluation criteria).

• Attachment B: Schedule of Items.

• Attachment C: Statement of Work.

• Attachment D: Experience Questionnaire.

• Attachment E: Wage Grade.

• Questions are due by May 10th, 2026, 12:00 PM Pacific Time, via email to Debra.Derickson@usda.gov.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Experience Questionnaire (Attachment F) required for potential bidders to complete and submit as part of their proposal. It is used by the Forest Service to assess a contractor's experience and capability to perform the work contemplated by the solicitation.

• Contractor Information: Name, address, telephone number, UEI, and email.
• Business Type: Options for Company, Corporation, Co-partnership, Individual, or Non-profit Organization.
• Experience: Questions regarding years of experience in the line of work and as a prime or sub-contractor.
• Past Projects: A section to list completed projects within the last three years, including contract amount, type of project/description, date completed, and contact information for the project owner.
• Current Commitments: A section to list concurrent contractual commitments.
• Performance History: Questions about past failures to complete work or work completed by performance bond.
• Organization and Staffing: Details on available workforce, employee payroll status, and progress rates.
• Key Personnel Experience: A section to list the experience of principal individuals, including their name, present position, years of experience, and magnitude/type of work.
• Equipment and Resources: A request to list planned equipment and vehicles, including maintenance plans.
• Quality Control and Safety: Requirements to describe contractor self-inspection procedures, quality assurance for the contract, use of bio-based products, a safety plan, and a planned schedule of work.
• Certification: A statement certifying the completeness and correctness of the provided 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. Failure to provide complete and satisfactory information may result in a determination of non-responsibility or impact the evaluation of the proposal.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Wage Determination issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour Division. It establishes the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations under the Service Contract Act for a specific geographic area.

• Wage Determination Number: 2015-4959, Revision No.: 28
• Date of Last Revision: 12/03/2025
• Area: Minnesota Counties of Aitkin, Cook, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Pine.
• Occupational Listing: Provides a detailed list of job titles, corresponding occupation codes, and the minimum hourly wage rate for each.
• Fringe Benefits: Indicates that fringe benefits are required and follow the occupational listing.
• Executive Orders: Notes applicability of Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and Executive Order 13658 (Minimum Wage).
• Benefits: Details Health & Welfare benefits ($5.55 per hour) and specific EO 13706 benefits ($5.09 per hour).
• Vacation and Holidays: Outlines paid vacation and holiday provisions.
• Conformance Process: Describes the process for classifying and determining wage rates for occupations not explicitly listed.

This document is crucial for bidders responding to solicitations that fall under the Service Contract Act within the specified geographic area. It dictates the minimum labor costs that must be factored into proposals, ensuring compliance with federal labor laws. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages and benefits meet or exceed these requirements for all listed occupations that will be utilized on the contract.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Schedule of Items, specifically a pricing sheet designed for the "Lawn Mowing" project at the Deer River Ranger District, Chippewa National Forest. It is intended to be used for a firm-fixed-price contract and includes sections for both base year and option years.

• Project Title: Lawn Mowing
• Period of Performance (Base Year): 05/15/2026 - 10/31/2026
• Items:
  • Spring Clean Up (EA, QTY 1)
  • Lawn Mowing/Weed Whip (EA, QTY 25)
  • Fall Clean Up (EA, QTY 1)
• Option Years: Includes periods of performance for four additional option years (2027-2030), with the same items and quantities.
• Pricing: Bidders are expected to fill in the estimated prices for each item and the total for each period of performance.

This sheet is critical for bidders to understand the specific services required, the estimated quantities, and the contract duration. Bidders must use this template to provide their pricing for each line item and for each contract year (base and options), which will be a key component in proposal evaluation for a firm-fixed-price contract.