How to bid on Precommercial Thinning at Atchafalaya NWR for US Fish and Wildlife Service

What the agency is buying and why it matters

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking quotes for precommercial thinning services at the Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana. This work is important for maintaining the health and management of the refuge's forest areas.

This opportunity is a 100% small business set-aside, meaning only small businesses are eligible to bid. The contract performance period will run from the date of award through December 31, 2027.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

If you are interested in a site inspection, you must notify the site point of contact by September 7, 2026, at 4:00 PM CDT. Questions about the solicitation must be submitted in writing by September 10, 2026, at 2:00 PM EDT.

The final deadline for submitting your quote is September 14, 2026, at 2:00 PM EDT. Quotes must be emailed to the Contract Specialist by this time. Late submissions will not be considered.

Who this opportunity suits

This solicitation is specifically for small businesses in the forestry support activities sector. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 115310, Support Activities for Forestry, with a small business size standard of $34 million.

Firms with experience in precommercial thinning, forest management, or similar environmental land management services would be well-suited for this opportunity.

How to respond to this solicitation

To access the solicitation documents, click the "View original source" link. You may need to click it a second time if it initially takes you to the portal's homepage. A free account might be required to view some documents.

All questions must be emailed to the Contract Specialist, Fred Riley, at [email protected]. The subject line of your email must be "Question Submission for 140FS326R0012".

Your complete quote, including all required documents, must be emailed to Fred Riley at [email protected]. The email subject line must be "Quote Submission 140FS326R0012". Ensure you complete Attachment 1, which includes instructions to offerors, and address all elements. Failure to submit all required documents will result in your quote being considered non-responsive.

Practical tips for a competitive response

Carefully review all attachments, especially the Performance Work Statement (Attachment 1), Quote Schedule (Attachment 2), and Past Performance Questionnaire (Attachment 4). These documents will provide critical details on the scope of work, pricing requirements, and evaluation criteria.

Consider attending the site inspection if possible. This will give you a firsthand understanding of the work site and any unique conditions that might affect your cost or approach, helping you prepare a more accurate and competitive quote.

Ensure your company has an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) at sam.gov. This is a mandatory requirement for award eligibility. Also, be prepared to register with the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform System (IPP) for payment processing if you receive an award.