124150-O3 Cost Sheet Updated.xlsx

This cost sheet is associated with a service contract solicitation issued by the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission (NGPC) for tree clearing operations at Merritt Reservoir Wildlife Management Area in Cherry County, Nebraska. The project involves removing Eastern Red Cedar and Rocky Mountain Juniper trees 18 inches and taller across approximately 4,262.5 total acres, comprised of 3,965.1 acres of grasslands and 297.4 acres of woodlands. Additional work includes fuel reduction efforts covering 18.9 acres and a 200-foot boundary treatment spanning 22.4 acres. Primary removal methods include mulching, with cutting and piling permitted for larger trees exceeding 20 feet in height with greater than 6-inch diameter at breast height. A mandatory solicitation conference is scheduled for January 21, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Merritt Reservoir State Recreational Area, with attendance required for bid eligibility. The solicitation opened January 8, 2026, with responses due February 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Central Time. The contract award is intended for February 20, 2026, with contract performance running from March 9, 2026, to June 30, 2027.

The cost sheet reflects a per-acre pricing structure with all line items currently showing zero dollar amounts and zero costs per acre, indicating that bidders will propose their pricing for each work category. Contractors may exchange merchantable timber for reduced per-acre thinning rates, with materials required to be removed by contract completion. Work must be performed under dry or frozen ground conditions to minimize environmental impact. Completed work areas must comprise at least 200 acres and require Nebraska Game & Parks Commission staff inspection prior to payment authorization. Contractors must maintain comprehensive insurance including Workers' Compensation, Commercial General Liability with a $2,000,000 general aggregate, and Commercial Automobile Liability with a $1,000,000 combined single limit. The contract is subject to environmental restrictions protecting Western Prairie Fringed Orchid, Northern Long-eared Bat, and Whooping Crane habitat. The State reserves the right to conduct reference and credit checks and may award preference to resident disabled veterans or businesses located in designated enterprise zones if all other evaluation factors are equal.