USDA Forest Service Harpers Ferry Job Corps Grounds Maintenance Services

The USDA Forest Service is seeking a small business contractor to provide seasonal grounds maintenance services at the Harpers Ferry Job Corps Center in West Virginia under a firm-fixed-price contract with a one-year base period and four one-year option periods, spanning from July 1, 2026, through September 30, 2030. The work primarily occurs between April 1 and September 30 each year and includes weekly mowing of approximately 28 acres of grounds, 4 acres of government housing, 6 acres of ball fields, and at least seven cuttings of 5 acres of wooded areas, along with weekly edging, trimming, and pruning of low-lying tree branches up to six feet from the base. All services must maintain a consistently well-manicured appearance with no allowable deviation, and the contractor is required to develop and submit a quality program for contracting officer approval that includes procedures to prevent and correct defects. The contractor must supply all personnel, equipment, tools, and supervision, comply with EPA-approved herbicide use standards, and adhere to strict performance thresholds monitored by a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. Contractors must be a certified small business under a total small business set-aside and must comply with a comprehensive set of federal regulations, including full adherence to FAR and AGAR clauses such as 52.212-4, 52.203-17, 52.222-35, and 52.222-36, among others. All personnel must undergo routine background investigations, complete and submit SF85 forms within five days of award, and comply with USDA’s Personal Identity Verification (PIV) policies, including eligibility for a USDA LincPass. The contractor must appoint a designated Project Manager and a PIV compliance representative, maintain weekly contact with the Contracting Officer’s Representative, and promptly report any delays or safety violations. Payment will be made electronically via EFT under FAR 52.232-33 or 52.232-34, and any taxes or surcharges must be pre-approved by the Contracting Officer. Proposals are due by June 16, 2026, and must include firm pricing for all line items, demonstrate technical capability to meet SOW requirements, and pass pass/fail gates for fair and reasonable pricing and acceptable past performance. Evaluation will prioritize the highest technically rated offer that meets all compliance and performance criteria, and non-compliance