EBFD ISC Funded Vegetation Management

Background
The Elephant Butte Field Division is seeking to conduct species-specific vegetation management at Caballo Reservoir to address infestations of tornillo (mesquite) and salt cedar (tamarisk). This initiative supports the agency's mission of reservoir operations, habitat restoration, and reducing phreatophyte-driven water loss along the Rio Grande. The Government anticipates this requirement will be set aside for small business concerns, specifically looking to determine the appropriate socioeconomic set-aside category.

Work Details
The work involves vegetation management across four designated treatment parcels totaling approximately 1,367 acres:

- Parcel A (106 acres) will utilize ground-based herbicide application;
- Parcel B (646 acres) will employ aerial herbicide application;
- Parcel C (100 acres) and Parcel D (515 acres) will involve mechanical vegetation treatment.

Additionally, GIS-supported treatment boundary mapping and documentation must be performed in accordance with applicable environmental compliance requirements, including NEPA mitigation measures.

Period of Performance
The anticipated period of performance is one year from the date of award.

Place of Performance
The contract activities will occur within designated operational and environmental management zones surrounding Caballo Reservoir in Sierra County, New Mexico. This includes reservoir shorelines, the fluctuating littoral zone, northern inflow deltaic deposits, riparian benches, tributary drainages, and adjacent upland desert-scrub transition zones.

Bidder Requirements
Bidders must be small business concerns as this opportunity is a Small Business Set Aside - Total (SBA). They should demonstrate experience with large-scale invasive vegetation removal methods (mechanical, aerial, ground-based herbicide treatments), work in riparian/reservoir environments, environmental compliance including NEPA mitigation measures, specialized equipment for vegetation management, GIS/GPS-based mapping capabilities, and past performance on similar projects. Vendors must also possess or demonstrate the ability to obtain a valid State of New Mexico pesticide applicator's license and aerial applicator certification prior to performance.