How to bid on collecting and planting willow cuttings for the DEPT of Defense

What the agency is buying

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, needs landscaping services to collect and plant sandbar willow cuttings. This work will be done along the Mississippi River in Pools 3 and 5A. The project involves planting 750 willow stakes at each of two sites, totaling 3,000 linear feet of planted rows.

This is a total small business set-aside opportunity, meaning only small businesses can bid. The contract will be a Firm, Fixed-Price type.

Key dates and deadlines

The solicitation was published on August 18, 2026. All quotes must be submitted by September 17, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET. It is important to submit your quote on time, as late submissions are generally not accepted.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for small businesses specializing in landscaping services. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this project is 561730, Landscaping Services, with a size standard of $9.5 million. Firms with experience in environmental restoration, habitat management, or large-scale planting projects would be well-suited.

How to respond

To access the full details and submit your quote, you need to go to the Contract Opportunities website. You may need a free account to view all documents. It is your responsibility to check the website for any updates to the solicitation.

Before an award can be made, all offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) with an active account and completed Representations and Certifications (FAR and DFARS) sections.

Practical tips for a competitive response

Carefully review all product requirements defined in the solicitation to ensure your quote fully addresses them. Since this is a Firm, Fixed-Price contract, accurately estimating your costs for labor, materials, and equipment is crucial for both competitiveness and profitability.

Ensure your SAM registration is active and up-to-date, including all required representations and certifications, well before the submission deadline. This is a mandatory step for any Department of Defense contractor. Pay close attention to the specific planting requirements, such as the number of stakes and linear feet, to demonstrate a clear understanding of the project scope.