South Fork Aerial Seeding & Mulching
ID: 127EAX24R0031Type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
Overview

Buyer

AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OFFOREST SERVICEUSDA-FS, CSA SOUTHWEST 7Albuquerque, NM, 871023498, USA

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (115310)

PSC

NATURAL RESOURCES/CONSERVATION- AERIAL SEEDING (F002)

Set Aside

Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5) (SBA)
Timeline
    Description

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture, specifically the Forest Service, is seeking proposals for the South Fork Aerial Seeding and Mulching project aimed at restoring soil productivity and promoting vegetation recovery in areas affected by the South Fork Fire in New Mexico. The project involves aerial seeding over 1,730 acres and mulching over 594 acres, utilizing certified weed-free native seeds and straw to mitigate flooding and erosion risks in high and moderate soil burn severity areas. This initiative is critical for ecological restoration following wildfire events, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and safety standards throughout the process. Interested contractors must submit their proposals by September 16, 2024, and can direct inquiries to Troy A. McCullough at troy.mccullough@usda.gov.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Troy A. McCullough
    troy.mccullough@usda.gov
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    The government solicitation, numbered 127EAX24R0031, requests proposals for aerial seeding and mulching services on National Forest System lands in New Mexico, specifically addressing the South Fork Burned Area project. The procurement encourages full and open competition with a focus on applying certified weed and trash-free seeds over 1,136 acres and wheat straw mulch over 594 acres, with specific seed types and documentation requirements outlined. The work is expected to commence upon award and conclude by October 31, 2024. Vendors must submit a technical proposal, price proposal, and contractor certifications, demonstrating past performance and understanding of governmental requirements as critical evaluation criteria. The selection process favors technical capabilities significantly over price. Those interested in submitting bids must ensure their registration with the System for Award Management is active and confirmed receipt of their offers. The deadline for proposals is set for September 16, 2024, underscoring the project’s urgency and alignment with environmental recovery efforts post-wildfire.
    The South Fork Fire project aims to restore soil productivity and facilitate vegetation recovery post-wildfire in High and Moderate Soil Burn Severity areas of the Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico. The project involves aerial seeding of 1,136 acres and aerial mulching of 594 acres using a specified seed mixture and straw mulch to reduce flooding and erosion risks following intense precipitation events. Contractors must adhere to safety and environmental regulations while ensuring equipment is maintained and material meets stringent certification standards for weed-free and seed quality. The contractor is also responsible for site restoration, staging area management, and implementing comprehensive safety and quality control plans throughout the project duration. The work is expected to commence in September 2024, completed within a 14-day operational window, emphasizing the completion of vegetation coverage before seasonal weather changes. Compliance with federal, state, and local laws is critical, and all actions are subject to strict oversight by the U.S. Forest Service to ensure project success and ecological protection. This project underscores the government's proactive approach to wildfire recovery efforts and environmental safeguarding.
    The South Fork Fire project focuses on post-wildfire restoration efforts in the Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico, specifically through the aerial seeding and mulching of 1,730 acres affected by the South Fork Fire. The main purpose is to stabilize soil and promote vegetation recovery, minimizing flooding and erosion risks associated with post-fire precipitation. The contractor will utilize certified weed-free native seeds and straw for seeding and mulching applications on slopes of 20% to 65%, to be completed during a 14-day operational window in September 2024. Key responsibilities include compliance with environmental regulations, maintaining safety procedures, and ensuring quality control throughout the process. Contractors must submit detailed plans for safety, quality control, and rehabilitation as well as daily and final reports to document progress and adherence to specifications. Additionally, the contractor is tasked with the clean-up of staging areas and disposal of waste materials post-operation. The document outlines comprehensive procedures and standards for contractor performance, emphasizing the critical nature of safety and environmental preservation within the context of federal RFP processes for effective restoration in burned forest ecosystems. This initiative reflects the government's commitment to restoring ecological balance while safeguarding local communities and natural resources.
    The document outlines the evaluation factors for awarding contracts under federal Requests for Proposals (RFPs), emphasizing the need to provide the government with the best value by balancing price and non-price factors. Non-price factors, including the acceptability of the offer, capability of the offeror, and understanding of the government's requirements, hold significant weight in the evaluation process. Offers must adhere strictly to the RFP terms, and those failing to do so are deemed unacceptable. Key assessment criteria include organizational experience, past performance with previous contracts, and clarity in understanding project requirements. The offeror's familiarity with the project site and their proposed safety measures are critical for project execution. Additionally, past performance evaluations involve feedback from previous clients and external sources. For the specific project titled “South Fork Aerial Seeding & Mulching,” bidders must detail their relevant experience, site assessment approaches, resource allocation, safety plans, and project timelines. The document serves as a guide for potential contractors to align their proposals with government expectations and ensures a thorough evaluation process to minimize risks and maximize service quality.
    The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service outlines potential mulching areas following the South Fork Fire in the Smokey Bear Ranger District of Lincoln National Forest. The document includes a geospatial map depicting the perimeter of the fire and areas designated for potential mulching efforts. Key features on the map differentiate between land ownership types, namely U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and private lands, while employing NAD 1983 UTM Zone 13N coordinates for accuracy. The intent of identifying these mulching areas is likely to assist in post-fire recovery efforts, emphasizing the responsible use of geospatial information, which may vary in accuracy. The USDA affirms its commitment to equal opportunity in its operations. This document serves as a foundation for future federal or state-level initiatives aimed at fire recovery and land management, potentially linked to grants or requests for proposals (RFPs) related to environmental restoration and public safety.
    The file from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service outlines potential mulching areas surrounding the South Fork Fire in the Smokey Bear Ranger District of the Lincoln National Forest. The document includes a geospatial map indicating areas with varying soil burn severity, categorized as high, moderate, low, and unburned/very low. The map also distinguishes land ownership between USDA Forest Service and private land. The purpose of this information is to guide decisions on mulching efforts in response to the fire, aimed at soil rehabilitation and management of the affected areas. This document is part of a broader context of federal and state efforts to restore natural landscapes post-wildfire and highlights the agency's commitment to environmental management.
    The USDA Forest Service has produced geospatial data outlining potential seeding areas in the South Fork Fire region of the Lincoln National Forest. This document serves as a guide for ecological restoration efforts following the fire, highlighting areas suitable for seeding to promote recovery. The map indicates the perimeter of the South Fork Fire and specifies land ownership, distinguishing between U.S. Forest Service and private lands. It emphasizes the importance of using this GIS product solely for its intended purpose, as accuracy may vary, and the USDA reserves the right to update the data without notice. This information is critical for stakeholders involved in federal and state initiatives aimed at forest recovery and ecosystem management following fire events. The documentation aligns with the broader framework of government RFPs and grants focused on environmental restoration and resource management.
    The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service has released a geospatial product focused on the South Fork Fire area within the Smokey Bear Ranger District of Lincoln National Forest. The document highlights potential seeding locations intended to promote recovery following the fire. Additionally, it outlines soil burn severity by classifying burned areas as high, moderate, low, or unburned/very low. The map indicates both Forest Service and private land ownership within the affected vicinity. The underlying message emphasizes the importance of accurate GIS products for environmental recovery efforts post-wildfire while noting the USDA's commitment to update and correct any geospatial data as needed. This resource could be relevant for future federal grants, RFPs, or partnerships aiming at forest management and ecological restoration initiatives in the region.
    The document addresses questions and answers related to a government solicitation for a project involving the application of straw mulch in treatment areas. Key points include the clarification that KMZ GIS files will be available after award, correcting a typographical error regarding straw mulch application depth from 1 foot to 1 inch, maintaining that the correct application rate is 1 ton per acre. It also affirms that barley straw is an acceptable alternative for use, although wheat straw is generally preferred due to cost and availability, provided that all straw used is certified weed-free. This Q&A format maintains transparency and clarity for prospective bidders, ensuring adherence to project specifications and requirements in the context of federal RFPs and grants.
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    Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
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