Grounds Maintenance Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center Stuttgart, AR

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has issued a combined synopsis/solicitation, Request for Quotation (RFQ) number 127EAV26Q0121, for grounds maintenance services at the Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center in Stuttgart, Arkansas. This acquisition is 100% set aside for small business concerns under NAICS code 561730 (Landscaping Services), which has a size standard of $9.5 million. The government intends to award a single firm-fixed-price contract consisting of a base year and four subsequent one-year option periods, running from September 28, 2026, through September 27, 2031. The contractor must provide all labor, equipment, materials, supervision, and transportation to perform mowing and string trimming services. The contract specifies 24 weekly mowing sessions per year, taking place from April through September, with work to be completed on Mondays or Tuesdays. Contractors are responsible for verifying site dimensions, removing natural debris and trash, and performing string trimming around trees, buildings, and ditches. All work must comply with ARS facilities design standards, OSHA, and other federal safety guidelines. A site visit is scheduled for September 8, 2026, at 10:00 AM CST. Pre-award questions must be submitted via email to Contract Specialist Shavera Leveille by September 9, 2026, at 17:00 CST. Final quotes must be submitted by email to shavera.leveille@usda.gov no later than September 15, 2026, at 17:00 CST. Contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) to be eligible for award.

This solicitation (No. 127EAV26Q0121) is issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for grounds maintenance services at the Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center in Stuttgart, Arkansas. The required services consist of ongoing mowing and trimming to maintain a professional appearance. The USDA intends to award a single firm-fixed-price contract with a base year and four one-year option periods, spanning an estimated performance period from September 28, 2026, to September 27, 2031. Evaluation of offers will be conducted using the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) methodology based on three factors: technical acceptability, past performance, and price. This procurement is designated as a total small business set-aside. The solicitation incorporates standard Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Agriculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) clauses. Notably, AGAR 452.203-71 establishes strict anti-discrimination and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) compliance as a material condition for payment. Additionally, AGAR 452.203-72 outlines unenforceable supplier terms, specifically declaring provisions related to automatic renewals, unilateral revisions, and unrestricted AI model training using government data as void. Interested vendors must submit pricing for all line items and complete the SF 1449 to be considered responsive. An optional site visit is scheduled for September 8, 2026. The deadline for submitting questions is September 9, 2026, and final quotations must be emailed to the contracting point of contact by September 15, 2026.

This federal solicitation (No. 127EAV26Q0121) issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is for ongoing grounds maintenance services, including mowing and trimming, at the Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center in Stuttgart, Arkansas. The agency intends to award a single, firm-fixed-price contract consisting of a base year and four one-year option periods, spanning from September 28, 2026, to September 27, 2031. Procurement will be conducted using the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) evaluation methodology. Quotes will be assessed based on three factors: Technical Acceptability, Past Performance (rated as acceptable, neutral, or unacceptable), and Price. To be eligible for award, contractors must submit pricing for all line items and participate in a mandatory site visit scheduled for September 8, 2026. The solicitation incorporates various Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Agriculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) clauses. Notably, these include strict provisions regarding anti-discrimination and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) compliance, restrictions on unenforceable supplier terms (such as automated decision-making and unilateral revisions), and guidelines for personal identity verification (PIV) and contractor workforce integrity. Interested vendors must submit questions by September 9, 2026, and electronic quotations are due no later than September 15, 2026.

This document is a federal Service Contract Act (SCA) Wage Determination (No. 2015-5113, Revision 30, dated August 27, 2026) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor for Garland County, Arkansas. It establishes the minimum hourly wage rates and fringe benefits required for various labor categories on federally funded service contracts in this locality. Key provisions and requirements detailed in the document include: - **Occupational Wage Rates:** Lists mandated hourly wages across multiple sectors, including administrative support, automotive service, food preparation, health, information technology, mechanics, and protective services. - **Fringe Benefits:** Specifies health and welfare benefit rates of $5.92 per hour (or $5.42 per hour for contracts subject to Executive Order 13706 regarding paid sick leave). It also mandates paid vacation (ranging from 2 to 4 weeks based on years of service) and a minimum of eleven paid federal holidays. - **Executive Orders:** Outlines contractor obligations under EO 13706 (paid sick leave) and EO 13658 (minimum wage standards for federal contractors). - **Pay Differentials:** Defines guidelines for night and Sunday premium pay for air traffic controllers and weather observers, alongside hazardous duty pay differentials (8% and 4%) for working with ordnance or explosives. - **Uniform Allowances:** Establishes guidelines for uniform provisioning and maintenance reimbursement. - **Conformance Process:** Details the administrative procedures (Standard Form 1444) for establishing wage rates and classifications for job titles not explicitly listed in this determination.