Carrizo Cane Eradication

The document outlines a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) request for proposals for the eradication of Carrizo Cane, due by January 6, 2026. The request details three task areas with corresponding price estimates per acre. Task 1, "Aerial Mapping & Site Preparation," priced at $800.00/acre, involves identifying Carrizo Cane, flagging target areas, establishing buffer zones, planning access routes, and implementing erosion control. Task 2, "25-Foot Buffer & River’s Edge," estimated at $15,800.00/acre, focuses on establishing buffer zones along river edges, mechanically cutting cane, treating regrowth with herbicides, monitoring for 12 months, and maintaining the area. Task 3, "25-Foot Inland Zone," priced at $37,300.00/acre, includes establishing inland buffer zones, mechanical cutting, shallow root plowing, raking or burying rhizomes, seeding with native species, providing water usage reports, monitoring, retreating regrowth, maintaining with mowers, light tilling, and aerial drone herbicide treatment.

The Statement of Work (SOW) 20154537 outlines the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's requirement for a contractor to eradicate the invasive Carrizo cane from designated Southwest border areas and restore native species. This effort aims to enhance border security, comply with environmental regulations, and improve land management. The contractor's tasks include site assessment, strategic removal using mechanical, chemical, or manual methods, post-removal restoration with native vegetation, and proper waste management. The project has a 12-month base period with a 12-month option. It also details strict security requirements for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), personnel access, and incident reporting, including specific guidelines for Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and credit monitoring. Contractors must ensure all personnel are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, pass background checks, and comply with all government security protocols.

The RFI seeks information from companies capable of planning and executing a long-term strategy (3-5 years) to eradicate Carrizo cane (Arundo donax) from Southwest border areas. The project aims to enhance operational efficiency, comply with environmental regulations, and address structural and ecological priorities, including improved border security, habitat restoration, and sustainable land management. The RFI requests details on proposed vegetation and root removal techniques, chemical application strategies, and seeding/planting plans. Companies must describe their capabilities in project management, staffing, quality assurance, and safety, highlighting relevant corporate experience and innovative tools for remote areas. Additionally, the RFI asks for staff credentials, certifications, staffing capabilities, labor categories, estimated labor rates for specific Texas locations (Rio Grande Valley, Laredo, Del Rio), and anticipated pricing models. Plans for teaming or subcontracting arrangements to manage the broad scope and geographic spread, as well as foreseen challenges and mitigation strategies, are also required.