UPP VOR Tree Trimming Services

The contract solicitation for UPP VOR Tree Trimming Services, issued under number 697DCK-26-R-00221 by the Department of Transportation’s 697DCK Regional Acquisitions Services, seeks to ensure uninterrupted radiated signal performance from the Upolu VORTAC antenna located in Kona, Hawaii, by managing vegetation within a 350-foot radius of the antenna. The scope requires twice-yearly trimming and removal of tall Ironwood trees up to 60 feet, shrubs, grass, and other obstructions, with strict adherence to elevation limits: all vegetation on FAA property must be cut at least six feet below the counterpoise surface at elevation 1765, while trees outside FAA property must be topped to at least six feet below elevation 1756. Debris from trimming on FAA property must be chipped and spread on-site, and vegetation on the entire counterpoise must be mowed or chemically treated. Work must occur Monday through Friday during daytime hours, excluding federal holidays, and is strictly prohibited from entering the fenced antenna area or counterpoise zone to avoid interference with critical systems. The site’s steep, mountainous terrain demands specialized equipment and expertise, and all operations must be conducted under continuous FAA supervision without disrupting antenna functionality. This procurement is a Total Small Business Set-Aside under FAR 19.5, requiring respondents to be certified small businesses and to provide active System for Award Management (SAM) registration, along with business size classification such as 8(a), SDVOSB, or VSB. Submissions must be electronic and include full company details, contact information, and compliance attestations. Environmental protections are critical: work must avoid scheduling during the Hawaiian Hawks’ mating season from August through September to protect endangered wildlife, and the contractor must prevent damage to government and adjacent private property, restoring any affected improvements to original condition per FAA approval. The Contracting Officer’s office is located in the FAA Seattle Regional Office in Des Moines, WA, with site supervision handled by Charles Barclay and Jacob Chip in Hawaii. Although no contract value or pricing structure is specified, the work demands significant logistical coordination, environmental awareness, and operational discipline due to the remote, challenging topography and sensitive regulatory environment.