How to bid on Grounds Maintenance for USDA in Stuttgart, AR

What the agency is buying

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking a contractor for grounds mowing and trimming services at the Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center in Stuttgart, Arkansas. This is a 100% small business set-aside opportunity.

The contract will be a firm fixed price agreement with a base year and four potential one-year option periods. The selected contractor will be responsible for providing all materials, supplies, supervision, transportation, and incidentals needed to maintain a well-kept appearance for the grounds.

Key dates and deadlines

A site visit is scheduled for September 8, 2026, at 10:00 A.M. CST at 2890 Hwy 130 East, Stuttgart, AR 72160. Attending this visit is encouraged to understand the project's conditions.

Any questions regarding the Request for Quotation (RFQ) must be emailed to the Contract Specialist by 5:00 PM CST on September 9, 2026. No questions will be accepted after this time. All quotes must be emailed by 5:00 PM CST on September 15, 2026.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is specifically for small business concerns. The relevant North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) Code is 561730 for Landscaping Services, with a small business size standard of $9.5 million.

Firms with experience in commercial grounds maintenance, particularly those familiar with large research or institutional properties, would be well-suited to this bid. The work involves ongoing mowing and trimming to ensure a consistently well-maintained appearance.

How to respond

To access the full solicitation details, you will need to view the original source on the portal. Sometimes, the first click may lead to the portal's homepage, in which case you should click the link again to go directly to the bid.

You may need to create a free account on the portal to view all associated documents, though for some bids, this is not necessary. Once you have reviewed the documents, email any questions to the Contract Specialist by the deadline. Submit your final quote via email by the specified deadline.

Tips for a competitive response

Carefully review the Statement of Work (SOW) to ensure your quote fully addresses all required mowing and trimming services. Pay close attention to any specific frequencies or standards mentioned for maintaining the grounds.

Consider attending the site visit to gain a clear understanding of the property's layout, dimensions, and any unique conditions that might impact your service delivery or pricing. This can help you avoid claims based on a lack of knowledge of existing conditions.

Ensure your pricing is firm and competitive, reflecting all materials, supplies, supervision, transportation, and incidentals. Clearly state your ability to perform the services for the base year and the four potential option periods, understanding that option year awards depend on funding availability.