USFS Seedling Plant Lifter, 60-inch at Michigan

This government solicitation, 12445026Q0007, is a Request for Quotation (RFQ) issued by the USDA Forest Service for a 60-inch Plant Lifter with hydraulic drive and accessories, including a hydraulic top link and freight. The equipment is critical for efficient bareroot seedling harvesting at the J.W. Toumey Nursery in Watersmeet, MI. This acquisition is a total small business set-aside under NAICS code 333111 with a 1250 employee size standard. Offers are due by March 31, 2026, 2359 ET, with delivery requested within 45 days of award issuance. The award will be a firm-fixed-price contract based on price, validation of brand name or equal specifications, and delivery period. The solicitation incorporates various FAR and AGAR clauses, including those related to anti-discrimination and DEI compliance, and outlines specific instructions for offer submission, including an active SAM registration and required attachments.

The USDA Forest Service requires a 60-inch Plant Lifter for its J. W. Toumey Nursery to replace an aging, unreliable unit. This critical equipment is essential for efficiently harvesting bareroot seedlings during narrow seasonal windows, ensuring minimal root damage and maintaining stock quality for reforestation programs. The new lifter must meet specific technical requirements, including a 60-inch working width, adjustable cutting depth, a vibrating blade system, and compatibility with a Category II, three-point tractor hitch. Delivery is required by February 2, 2026, to the J.W. Toumey Nursery in Watersmeet, MI, to ensure it is operational before the lifting season. This procurement is vital for sustaining the nursery's production goals and supporting national reforestation efforts.

The document, titled "SCHEDULE OF ITEMS," outlines a procurement request for agricultural equipment for the Toumey Nursery, likely a component of a federal, state, or local Request for Proposal (RFP) or grant. The schedule lists three specific items: a Plant Lifter 60 with hydraulic drive (including various accessories), a Hydraulic Top Link Cat II, and freight services to the nursery. The document also instructs the recipient to complete "Attachment # Schedule of Items (SOI)" and "Attachment #4 12445026Q0007 Validation of Brand Name or Equal Spec." This indicates a formal bidding process where vendors must provide pricing for the specified equipment and potentially justify any proposed

This government solicitation, 12445026Q0007, outlines the requirements for a "Brand Name or Equal" procurement of "The Seedling Plant Lifter 60” manufactured by LUNDEBY MANUFACTURING. The document specifies salient characteristics for comparable items, including a 60-inch size with hydraulic drive, electronic BPM sensor, side shields with extensions, 10-inch shaker tines, Cat II 3-point lift pins, and a Cat II hydraulic top link. Vendors must provide assembly and technical documentation for on-site installation. Equipment acceptability will be determined post-delivery and assembly through visual inspection for defects, verification of components, successful attachment to a tractor, and a functional test of lifting and hydraulic operations. Freight to Watersmeet, MI, is also a requirement.