How to bid on invasive plant management at Occoquan Bay NWR for US Fish and Wildlife Service

What the agency is buying and why it matters

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service needs a contractor for invasive plant management at the Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia. The work is scheduled to take place from June 1 through October 31, 2027.

This is a 100% small business set-aside opportunity. This means only small businesses are eligible to bid, which can reduce competition compared to unrestricted solicitations.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

All questions about this solicitation must be submitted in writing by email no later than Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 2:00 PM EDT. Questions should be sent to Fred Riley at [email protected] with 'Question Submission for 140FS326Q0172' in the subject line.

Quotes, including all required documents, must be submitted via email to Fred Riley at [email protected] no later than Monday, September 14, 2026, at 2:00 PM EDT. The email subject line must be 'Quote Submission 140FS326Q0172'. Late submissions will not be considered.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for small businesses specializing in support activities for forestry, specifically invasive plant management. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 115310, with a small business size standard of $11.5 million.

To be eligible for an award, all contractors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) website.

How to respond

To access the solicitation documents, click the 'View original source' link. If you land on the portal's homepage, click the link again to go directly to the bid. You may need a free account to view documents, though this is not always required.

Before submitting a quote, you are urged to inspect the site where services will be performed. Contact Christopher Wicker at [email protected] or (571) 260-0076 to arrange a site visit. Your quote must include all required documents as specified in Attachment 1, 'ADDENDUM TO 52.212-1, INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS'. Failure to submit all required documents will result in your quote being considered non-responsive.

Tips for preparing a competitive response

Carefully review all attachments, especially the Performance Work Statement (Attachment 1), Quote Schedule (Attachment 2), SCA Wage Determination (Attachment 3), and Past Performance Questionnaire (Attachment 4). These documents contain critical details for your proposal.

Ensure your SAM registration is active and up-to-date. Also, be prepared to register with the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform System (IPP) if you receive an award, as this is how payment requests are submitted. Invoices are paid after the end of the month of service, and advanced payments are not allowed.

The government will make an award based on best value, considering technical factors, past experience, and price. While price is important, the government reserves the right to award to an offeror that is not the lowest priced if non-cost factors outweigh the price difference. Clearly articulate your technical approach and highlight relevant past experience to demonstrate your capabilities.