Lawn Care Maintenance Services

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, is awarding a five-year firm-fixed price contract for lawn care maintenance services at its Research Estate Agricultural facilities in Mississippi State, Mississippi, specifically at the R.W. Harned Building 1 and the Poultry Research Unit. The contract, identified by solicitation number 1232SA26Q0359, is a total small business set-aside under FAR 19.5, requiring performance by a small business concern as defined by the Small Business Administration. Services encompass weekly mowing during the growing season, bi-weekly mowing in off-peak months, trimming, leaf and litter removal, brush hogging of natural areas, planting of flowers twice annually, and maintenance of ornamental grasses, all in strict compliance with the Service Schedule outlined in Exhibit C. All debris must be removed from site, and the use of herbicides and fertilizers is contingent upon prior government approval, with Safety Data Sheets required for all chemicals. Work must not interfere with active research operations, and contractor personnel must adhere to strict site security protocols including vehicle inspections, restricted access to sensitive areas, and daily removal or secure storage of chemicals. The contract consists of a one-year base period beginning May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027, with four consecutive one-year options extendable to April 30, 2031. Performance is F.O.B. destination, and the contractor is responsible for providing all equipment, tools, materials, and personnel without government furnishing. Payment will be processed via electronic funds transfer through the System for Award Management, and invoicing must comply with SAM requirements. The award will be made using a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable methodology, where the lowest-priced offer that is technically acceptable and demonstrates acceptable or neutral past performance will be selected. Technical acceptability is determined by the contractor’s demonstrated ability to perform per the Statement of Work, adherence to schedule, and compliance with all specified requirements. Additional clauses mandate compliance with labor standards including service contract wage requirements, fair labor standards, paid sick leave under Executive Order 13706, equal opportunity for veterans and individuals with disabilities, employment eligibility verification, anti-trafficking in persons, and Buy American provisions. The contractor must also complete certifications regarding business ethics, tax matters, subcontracting plans, and anti-discrimination and DEI compliance under AGAR 452.203-71. All submissions must