International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF) Technical Support Services

The International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF) is soliciting technical support services to enhance forest health monitoring and stakeholder engagement efforts across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands under solicitation number 127EAV26Q0014, with a response deadline of May 18, 2026. This is a total small business set-aside under NAICS code 541690 for environmental consulting services, with the award to be made through a trade-off evaluation that prioritizes technical merit over price, ensuring the selected offeror delivers the most advantageous value to the government. The contractor will provide comprehensive support to the Forest Health and Protection Program, focusing on three core areas: forest monitoring, training and curriculum development, and stakeholder engagement, including the coordination and execution of workshops and symposia. All work must be performed on-site across the U.S. Caribbean region, with primary operations centered at the USDA Forest Service facility in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and contractor personnel must be capable of extensive field travel and possess bilingual English/Spanish proficiency. The contract structure includes a base year and two 12-month option periods, potentially extending the total performance period to thirty months, with delivery terms defined as FOB Destination. Personnel qualifications are stringent, requiring a Master’s degree, documented regional ecological experience, and the ability to meet demanding field conditions. The contractor must comply with a full suite of federal regulations including labor standards, environmental protections, cybersecurity safeguards, and anti-discrimination requirements, and all deliverables—including reports, training materials, and event documentation—will be the sole property of the government with unlimited rights granted. The offeror is required to submit proposals in four clearly defined volumes covering technical approach, key personnel resumes, past performance, and detailed pricing, with strict page limitations and electronic submission via email to the designated contracting officer. No contract value has been specified in the solicitation, and pricing must be submitted separately in Volume IV with full breakdowns for travel, workshops, and recurring activities. The contractor must also adhere to stringent security protocols, including PIV credentialing for access to federal systems, and comply with data ownership, whistleblower protections, and ethical conduct standards as mandated by multiple FAR clauses, while ensuring all operations reflect sustainable practices and federal procurement integrity.