USDA-NRCS Blythe Easement WRE Construction, Fayette County, IL

This contract is a Firm Fixed-Price Invitation for Bid (IFB) issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, for the construction of the Blythe Easement Wetland Restoration Project in Fayette County, Illinois, under solicitation number 12FPC326B0001. The procurement is a 100% total small business set-aside under NAICS code 237990, with a revenue size standard of $45 million, and is limited to qualified small businesses registered in active status in the System for Award Management. The scope of work includes mobilization and demobilization, removal and disposal of subsurface drains and structures, excavation and disposal of 12,650 cubic yards of material, installation of 200 linear feet of plastic pipe (excluding corrugated polyethylene), earthfill placement totaling 21,149 cubic yards, tile decommissioning of 750 linear feet, seeding across 11 acres with soil amendments, mulching, sprigging, and construction of earth embankments, rock riprap revetments, and backfills. All work must be performed in accordance with the National Construction Specifications (June 2024), Title 210, Part 642, Subpart B, and detailed construction drawings and specifications that are included as attachments. The contract requires strict compliance with labor standards, including prevailing wage rates for heavy construction as defined in the wage determination dated January 2, 2026, and adherence to Copeland Act requirements with comprehensive payroll and recordkeeping obligations. The contractor must begin performance within five calendar days of award and complete all work within 90 calendar days, excluding holidays such as New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day, which are already factored into the schedule. Bids must be submitted via email to the contracting officer by 12:00 p.m. CST on June 3, 2026, and must include a fully completed SF-1442 with prices for all line items, a 20% bid bond on SF-24, evidence of active SAM registration, and all required representations and certifications not already submitted through SAM. Performance and payment bonds or an irrevocable letter of credit will be required upon award. The contractor must maintain an adequate inspection system, ensure all materials meet specifications—including seed