ALB Tree Removal Services- Ohio

This solicitation is being prepared in accordance with FAR part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures. USDA APHIS PPQ ALB Program intends to issue one Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) service contract as a result of this solicitation.The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), in cooperation with Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), as part of the Ohio Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) Cooperative Eradication Program, is contracting for tree removal and associated landscape restoration services. The USDA is working under the authority of the Plant Protection Act of June 20, 2000, as amended, Section 412 (a), 7 U.S.C.7712 (a) and the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Sections 901.051 and 927.70. The Ohio ALB Cooperative Eradication Program maintains a quarantine zone for ALB, which includes all of Tate Township, portions of East Fork State Park, and portions of the East Fork Wildlife

Area.  The goal of the Ohio ALB Program is to eradicate ALB from all known infested areas and to prevent the spread of the insect to uninfested areas through the survey and removal of infested and high-risk host trees. Work performed on public and private properties will require that the Contractor meet with the property owner or other approved point of contact to discuss the removal operations prior to starting the work. The current quarantine zone may expand as new infested trees are detected.  Work to be performed will be on an as-needed basis as outlined in Section 1.1 Type of Contract. The Contractor shall provide all personnel, labor, equipment and supplies required to remove ALB host trees and restore the Removal Site to conditions comparable or better than conditions prior to any tree Removal Operations. Removal and restoration activities may include, but are not limited to, total removal of trees of any size and character in any location, removal and deregulation of all brush and woody debris resultant from the removal of targeted trees, stump grinding (or herbicide treatment), and extensive landscape restoration including, but not limited to, topsoil replacement, seed sowing, and occasional tree replacement when needed to replace damaged trees (see section 3.5.4.1 Unplanned Collateral Trees)  The Contractor is responsible for completing work with the highest quality standards, timeliness, and minimal public disruption.The Contractor shall, without additional expense to the Government, be responsible for obtaining any necessary licenses and permits, and for complying with all Federal, State, and municipal laws, codes, and regulations applicable to the work being performed. Payment provided for in this contract shall constitute full compensation for furnishing all materials and for performing all work under this contract in a complete and acceptable manner.  Incidental expenses shall be accounted for in the price for the contract line item that is most closely associated with that incidental expense. Payment items for work under this contract are outlined in Pricing Schedule spreadsheet.Current removals are occurring at approximately 40 trees per week but have been as low as 0 trees per week and as high as 350 trees per week. The contractor shall have the capacity to expand to 8 crews within 30 days at any time.Please read through instructions carefully and submit quotation package as instructed. Submit all questions in writing to Kim Yen Tu at kimyen.n.tu@usda.gov. Questions should be submitted no later than three (3) days prior to the response deadline to ensure adequate time is available to respond and to amend the solicitation if necessary. Submit quotation package to Kim Yen Tu at kimyen.n.tu@usda.gov by 12/16/2022 at 10am Central time. Late submission will not be considered.