Chico Seed Orchard Pesticide Application

The USDA Forest Service is issuing a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for insecticide spray applications at the Chico Seed Orchards (CSO) within the Mendocino National Forest. The solicitation, 127EAT26Q0045, is a total small business set-aside with NAICS code 115112 and a $9.5M size standard. The purpose is to control pests like seedbug, coneworm, and seed chalcid to protect ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir seeds vital for regional reforestation. The project requires contractors to provide spray equipment reaching 90 feet and 4-5 high-pressure enclosed cab spray rigs to cover 84 acres in one night (1800-2400 hrs) by ground application, as aerial spraying is prohibited. The period of performance is May 1, 2026, to September 18, 2026. Quotes will be evaluated based on technical capability, past performance, and price, with award made to the offeror providing the best value.

This document is a wage determination for Service Contract Act covered contracts in Butte County, California, revising rates as of December 3, 2025. It outlines required fringe benefits, including health and welfare ($5.55/hour or $5.09/hour for EO 13706-covered contracts), vacation (2-4 weeks based on service), and 11 paid holidays. Special conditions apply to computer employees, air traffic controllers, and weather observers, including night and Sunday pay differentials. The document also details hazardous pay differentials for work with ordnance (4% or 8%), uniform allowance requirements ($3.35/week for cleaning), and the conformance process for unlisted job classifications. Executive Orders 13706 and 13658 are referenced for paid sick leave and minimum wage requirements, respectively. The “Service Contract Act Directory of Occupations” Fifth Edition (Revision 1) dated September 2015, defines job duties.

The Chico Seed Orchard, located at the Mi Diablo Meridian (Section 5, Township 21N, Range 2E), is a detailed plan for various seed and provenance studies, covering different fields and species. The facility includes studies on Oak Provenance, Port Orford Cedar, and several other species. The Oak Provenance Study is divided into high, mid, and low elevation fields, involving parents from various national forests such as Eldorado, Sierra, Stanislaus, Lassen, Plumas, and Tahoe. The Port Orford Cedar section also includes multiple provenance studies from Klamath and Six Rivers forests, as well as a clone bank/orchard. Other areas include planned advanced seed orchards, an arboretum, and orchards for pistachio and plum. The document provides precise acreage for each field and the number of parent trees involved, along with specific seed zone (sz) designations. The orchard's coordinates are Latitude 39°42'21.46" N and Longitude 121°41'1.5" W, indicating a comprehensive approach to genetic resource management for forestry and conservation efforts.

The USDA is soliciting bids for pesticide application services at the Chico Seed Orchard in Chico, CA. The project requires four insecticide/fungicide applications and multiple herbicide treatments across 84 acres, starting late April/early May 2026. The contractor must possess a California Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC), register with the County Agriculture Commissioner, and adhere to all state and county regulations. Equipment requirements include high-pressure air-blast sprayers capable of reaching 70-90 feet for evening insecticide applications and towable tank trailers or backpack sprayers for daytime herbicide applications. The government will provide all pesticides. Contractors are responsible for all labor, equipment (except pesticides), and supplies, and must have a QAC-certified representative on-site during operations. Safety is paramount, requiring extensive PPE and strict spill containment protocols. Daily pesticide application logs are mandatory.