Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) Tree Removal, South Carolina

The United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), South Carolina, has awarded Contract No. 12639526C0021 to Davey Resource Group, Inc., under the authority of FAR 6.302-2, Unusual and Compelling Urgency, on April 20, 2026. This non-competitive award was necessary due to an immediate and critical operational need to eradicate the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) in the North Charleston, South Carolina area, where any delay would result in unacceptable risks to public health, environmental safety, and statutory obligations. The urgency stems from the imminent emergence of adult beetles, which could accelerate infestation and spread beyond current quarantine boundaries. The contractor was selected as the sole entity capable of fulfilling the mission within the required timeframe due to its incumbent status, specialized equipment, trained personnel, and proven operational familiarity with the area and program protocols. The total estimated value of the firm-fixed-price contract is $1,241,991.70, covering a six-month performance period aligned with the ALB biological emergence window from May through October. Work includes the removal of host and collateral trees, chipping or grinding woody debris to less than one inch in two dimensions, stump grinding, site restoration, and strict compliance with USDA regulations, South Carolina forestry best management practices, and federal environmental statutes. All activities occur across multiple infested properties within the designated quarantine zone and must follow approved Removal Work Plans. Contractor personnel must wear photographic ID badges with program branding and high-visibility uniforms, and all vehicles must display official program signage. Key personnel requirements include a full-time certified arborist, a 24/7-available project manager, and site-specific foremen, with mandatory OSHA, ANSI, and ALB program certifications submitted within 10 days of award. All employees must be E-Verify screened, and subcontractors are subject to the same obligations as prime contractor staff. Daily work locations must be reported to the Contracting Officer’s Representative by 7:00 a.m., and all operations must halt if federally protected species are encountered. Invoicing must be submitted electronically via the Invoice Processing Platform after COR review, with final payment tied to on-site inspection and acceptance by the COR following completion of restoration and regulatory compliance. The award is supported by a publicly posted Justification and Approval, and the Contracting Officer,