Description

This is a Sources Sought notice as a means of conducting market research. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking capability statements from all firms interested in performing tree removal services, restoration work , and deregulating (chipping/grinding) woody debris resulting from tree removal operations. These activities will support of eradication of Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) from Hollywood, Charleston County, South Carolina. USDA APHIS is considering the use of a three-year firm-fixed-price (FFP) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) type contract. The results of this market research will contribute to determining the appropriate method of procurement. The applicable NAICS code for the proposed project is 561730 with a small business size standard of $9.5 million. The goal of the South Carolina 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. This requirement will cover tree removal services in the various housing developments within the infested area. 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. Work will involve, but is not limited to, providing all personnel, labor, supervision, supplies, equipment, and materials required to remove ALB infested and/or high-risk host trees, the stump grinding of all landscaped removed trees, the stump grinding of woodlot trees, the application of approved herbicide on stumps, the disposal of all removed trees and woody debris, and the restoration of properties where removal work has been completed. Tree removal activities will be completed on public and/or private property in both landscaped/maintained settings and non-maintained areas. The Contractor will be required to service multiple sites simultaneously and must have the capacity to expand to 10 crews for removal of up to approximately 600 trees per week. Contractor personnel must include a full time arborist with current certification from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) or equivalent organization. Deregulation of woody debris must be performed same day at the removal site. If Contractor cannot deregulate woody debris at the removal site, the Contractor shall have an agreement in place with a vendor that is capable of deregulating woody debris resultant from ALB program tree removals. All material taken to the deregulation vendor must meet deregulation requirements within 48 hours. Deregulation of woody debris is achieved when material is ground/chipped down to pieces no larger than 1 inch in two dimensions, or via incineration. Alternative deregulation methods may be considered if supported by scientific evidence and approved by the USDA and Clemson DPI. It is…

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