Western CONUS Natural Resources Support

The University of Montana is soliciting bids for a Western CONUS Natural Resources Support Task Order Contract, an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) agreement with a potential seven-year performance period, including a base year and six option years, and a maximum contract value of $21 million. The contract aims to secure comprehensive natural resources services across federal and state lands in Western CONUS—including forestry management, invasive species control, ecological restoration, and wildlife surveys—with task orders governed by specific schedules and deliverables such as GIS databases, annual operations plans, and habitat assessment reports. Bidders must demonstrate at least three years of recent, relevant experience in natural resources work, proven government project performance, direct experience in Western CONUS states, qualified key personnel including a certified Project Manager and independent Quality Control Manager, and submission of a complete five-page narrative proposal and two-page budget adhering to strict formatting guidelines. Evaluation is pass/fail on these mandatory criteria, with award going to the bidder offering best value through a trade-off between technical qualifications and cost, not lowest price alone. Contractors must comply with stringent performance standards including achieving at least 70% native vegetative cover, less than 10% invasive plant cover, and an 80% survival rate for planted vegetation, with all work inspected and accepted at the project site. All materials, data, and deliverables become government property with unlimited use rights, subject to state FOIA laws. Security protocols require background checks, installation access badges, key control policies, and prohibition of government key duplication. Contractors are required to maintain commercial liability and workers’ compensation insurance as mandated by Montana and applicable state laws, submit a Health and Safety Plan within ten workdays of task order start, and provide a Quality Control Plan within 30 days. Labor cost increases are capped at 3% annually, not exceeding 20% total over the contract term. Invoices must reference the purchase order number and be submitted via email to a designated ePayables portal, with payment processed through the University of Montana Accounts Payable office. Additional mandatory requirements include certification of compliance with Equal Pay for Montana Women (earning a 5% bid bonus), debarment status disclosure, non-discrimination against firearm entities, adherence to WCAG 2.0 Level AA for accessibility, and strict confidentiality obligations. Performance must align with federal environmental statutes including NEPA, ESA, MBTA, and FIFRA, and all personnel must wear identification badges and refrain from appearing as government representatives.