Maintain all designated Lawn Ares within the Deer River Compound

This contract is a commercial item solicitation issued as a Request for Quotation under FAR Part 12, designated as solicitation number 12444626Q0035, set aside entirely for small businesses under NAICS code 561720 with a size standard of $22 million in average annual receipts. The requirement is for routine lawn maintenance services at the Deer River Ranger District office compound located at 1235 Division Street, Deer River, Minnesota, including spring and fall cleanups, weekly mowing, trimming, edging, and weed whipping throughout the growing season. All work must comply with OSHA safety standards and USDA Forest Service environmental guidelines, ensuring a neat and professional appearance of the designated landscaping areas. The contract has a base performance period from May 15, 2026, to October 31, 2030, with four optional one-year extension periods, and may be extended by up to six months under FAR 52.217-8. Offers must be submitted electronically in PDF format by May 15, 2026, to Debra Derickson at USDA-FS CSA EAST 7, with inquiries due by May 10, 2026. The solicitation requires submission of the signed SF1449, Schedule of Items, and Experience Questionnaire, along with current SAM.gov registration and certification of small business status. Evaluation will follow a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) methodology, where quotes are assessed first for technical acceptability on a pass/fail basis, and the lowest-priced acceptable offer will be selected. The payment office is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and invoices must be submitted in accordance with FAR 52.232-33 and the Prompt Payment Act, with electronic funds transfer mandated. Special contract requirements include adherence to security protocols under FAR clauses 52.237-2, 52.240-92, and 52.240-93, prohibition of contractor-imposed terms such as indemnification or unilateral audit rights, restrictions on using government data for AI/ML training, and compliance with anti-discrimination and DEI standards under 452.203-71. The Contracting Officer’s Representative is Debra Derickson, who serves as the primary point of contact for all solicitation and administrative matters.