Deschutes NF, Stakes for Tree Planting (only)

This Firm-Fixed-Price contract, awarded by the Deschutes National Forest under the Department of Agriculture, is a total small business set-aside for the procurement of tree planting supplies. The scope of work includes the manufacture, packaging, and delivery of 64,000 wooden stakes and 138,300 rigid mesh seedling protector tubes. The wooden stakes must be 30 inches long with a 15/16 by 1.5 inch cross-section, made from specific species such as Douglas-fir, larch, or spruce, and must be pressure-treated unless constructed from cedar or redwood. The rigid mesh tubes are specified as 5 inches in diameter and 30 inches tall. All items must be delivered FOB Destination to Bend, Oregon, no later than March 25, 2026. Award selection was based on a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) methodology, evaluating offerors on technical capability, relevant past performance, and price. Technical acceptability required the submission of physical samples and adherence to strict quality control and self-inspection standards. The contract mandates specific packaging requirements, including the use of metal banding and sturdy pallets for stakes and heavy-duty cartons for tubes. Compliance with the Buy American Act and various federal regulations, including anti-discrimination and DEI certifications under AGAR 452.203-71, are material conditions of the award. Inspection and final acceptance are conducted by the government at the destination, with a defect tolerance of no more than 5 percent for the tubes.