Superior National Forest Rare Plant Survey
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 has issued a Request for Quotation (RFQ) 12443926Q0066 for a 2026 Botany Rare Plant Survey within the Superior National Forest, Minnesota. This opportunity is a Total Small Business Set-Aside for firms capable of identifying and documenting Regional Forester Sensitive Species (RFSS) plants and specific noxious weeds. An amendment has added an incentive structure for verified detections. Quotations are due by May 20, 2026.
Scope of Work
The contractor will perform botanical surveys across approximately 1,632 acres in designated areas of St. Louis and Lake Counties, MN. Key tasks include:
- Identifying and documenting occurrences of rare vascular and non-vascular RFSS plants.
- Documenting specific noxious weeds: common buckthorn, leafy spurge, purple loosestrife, and garlic mustard.
- Providing a final report summarizing survey results, including rare plant and noxious weed findings, and a listing of native plant communities.
- Delivering a digital copy of the report by November 30, 2026. Government-furnished items include maps, aerial photos, rare plant occurrence information, and ArcMap layers.
Contract & Timeline
- Opportunity Type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (RFQ)
- Anticipated Award Type: Firm Fixed Price Contract
- Period of Performance: May 25, 2026, to November 30, 2026
- Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside
- NAICS Code: 541620 (Environmental Consulting Services)
- Small Business Size Standard: $25.5 million
- Incentive: CLIN 0002 adds an incentive of up to 20% of the line item value, based on the number of verified detections.
- Questions Due: May 15, 2026, 12:00 PM ET
- Quotations Due: May 20, 2026, 12:00 PM ET
- Published Date: May 14, 2026 (Amendment 001)
Evaluation Criteria
Award will be made to the highest technically rated offeror whose proposal is fair and reasonable, and has acceptable or neutral past performance. Tradeoffs will not be conducted. Evaluation factors, in descending order of importance, are:
- Botanical qualifications and vascular plant experience.
- Lichen experience.
- Past Performance.
- Quality Control.
- Technical Approach.
- Price.
Additional Notes
This acquisition is for one award. Service Contract Labor Standards may apply, with Wage Determinations for St. Louis and Lake Counties, MN included. Bidders must acknowledge Amendment 001.