Seedling Containers - Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract

The Office of International Programs (IP) links the field-based staff of the Forest Service with international efforts in the areas of technical cooperation, policy assistance and disaster coordination. IP's mission is to develop opportunities for Forest Service domestic technical specialists to support US Embassies, missions and partners overseas in addressing natural resource management challenges. In many of these places, including Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, technical assistance is focused on reforestation, landscape restoration, and watershed conservation to reverse environmental degradation by restoring landscapes using native shrub, grass and tree seedlings. In addition to positive environmental impacts, these projects provide benefits to local communities and create income generating opportunities across the world. To meet this mission the Contractor shall provide seedling containers internationally to the Office of International Programs, USDA Forest Service. A key component of successful restoration activities is the provision of high quality seedlings. The quality of native seedlings depends largely on the container model. Container shape and size should enhance root growth after outplanting, ensure root growth into the soil below the containers, and allow for optimal air flow. This is universally critical, but is especially important in dry ecosystems like those in the Middle East and humid environments, like Latin America. USFS-sponsored consultants and nursery experts have witnessed common and frequent problems with nursery seedling growth across the world, impeding restoration efforts and resulting in low seedling survivability, stemming from improper container selection It is anticipated the solicitation will be issued on or about August 10, 2016, with contract award anticipated in October 2016. The resulting contract type will be a firm-fixed price Indefinite Quantity-Idenfinite Delivery contract. The contract will include a base period plus four option periods. Minimum guarantee is $500.00 and maximum amount is $2,000,000.00 over the life of the contract. When the solicitation is issued all documents will be posted on the internet at FedBizOpps.gov (www. fbo.gov). Only U.S. small business may submit an offer. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 115310, and the size standard is $7.50 annually.