Ottawa National Forest Silver Branch Plant Survey 3

This solicitation, numbered 12443926Q0069, is a Request for Quotation issued under FAR Part 12 for the Silver Branch Plant Survey Contract 3 within the Ottawa National Forest in Michigan. The purpose is to conduct botanical surveys across designated forest compartments to identify and document Regional Forester’s Sensitive plants, Michigan State-listed species, other plants of conservation concern, priority non-native invasive species, and culturally significant flora. The contract is a total small business set-aside with a NAICS code of 541620 and a size standard of $19 million in average annual receipts, ensuring eligibility is restricted to small business concerns. All work must be completed by September 15, 2027, with final documentation due by October 15, 2027, and surveys must adhere to a minimum three-week interval between repeated visits to the same stand. The contractor is responsible for providing all labor, equipment, transportation, supplies, and incidentals required to perform the work, except for any items designated as Government-furnished. Performance will occur on-site within the forest, with inspections conducted in the field and formal acceptance processed through the administering office in Atlanta, Georgia. The solicitation requires submission of a technical approach that demonstrates knowledge of upper Midwest flora—particularly the Botrychium genus—and proven experience conducting rare plant surveys in the region. Past performance will be assessed using adjectival ratings, and award will be made based on best value, not solely on lowest price, indicating a trade-off evaluation. Offerors must complete and submit Attachment H, the Experience Questionnaire, listing key personnel and their qualifications, and must have an active SAM.gov registration with a valid UEI. Compliance with multiple FAR clauses is mandatory, including prohibitions on forced confidentiality agreements, trafficking in persons, and subcontractor payment delays, as well as requirements relating to equal opportunity, service contract labor standards, and paid sick leave. Contractors must also certify adherence to Executive Orders 14168 and 14173 regarding DEI practices, avoiding race- or sex-based preferences, and are strictly prohibited from transferring Government-collected data outside the United States or using AI systems that lack transparency or enable data exploitation. Proposals must be submitted electronically by May 22, 2026, to the designated email address, with questions due by May 14, 2026, and all deliverables must conform to specified field reporting