124150 O3 Intent to Award Notice.docx

This is an Intent to Award Notice issued by the State of Nebraska, Nebraska Game & Parks Commission (NGPC), for tree clearing services at Merritt Reservoir Wildlife Management Area in Cherry County. The solicitation (124150 O3) required bidders to remove Eastern Red Cedar and Rocky Mountain Juniper trees measuring 18 inches and taller across approximately 4,262.5 acres, comprising 3,965.1 acres of grasslands and 297.4 acres of woodlands. Primary removal methods include mulching, with cutting and piling permitted for trees exceeding 20 feet in height with diameters greater than 6 inches at breast height. The project also encompasses fuel reduction in designated areas and 200-foot boundary treatment. A mandatory bidders' conference was held on January 21, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Merritt Reservoir State Recreational Area. The solicitation opened on January 8, 2026, with responses due on February 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Central Time. The State intends to award the contract to Fegley Fence, with the contract term running from March 9, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The State will award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder based on per-acre pricing established through the cost sheet submission. Contractors must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, 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. Work must be performed under dry or frozen ground conditions to minimize environmental impact. Contractors may exchange merchantable timber for a decreased per-acre thinning rate, provided materials are removed by contract end. Completed work areas must total at least 200 acres and require Nebraska Game & Parks Commission staff inspection prior to payment. Environmental protections are in place for 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 provide preference to resident disabled veterans or businesses in designated enterprise zones when all other factors are equal.