Attachemnt 1 - MRWMA Unit 1.pdf

This is an Attachment 1 map document prepared by the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission (NGPC) depicting the Merritt Reservoir Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Unit 1 located in Cherry County, Nebraska. The map illustrates the geographic boundaries and land composition of the unit, identifying 1,008.2 acres of grasslands and 66.6 acres of woodlands within the designated Powderhorn Unit 1 section. The solicitation seeks qualified bidders to provide tree clearing services across approximately 4,262.5 acres, including the removal of Eastern Red Cedar and Rocky Mountain Juniper trees measuring 18 inches and taller. The project includes 3,965.1 acres of grassland treatment and 297.4 acres of woodland treatment, with primary removal accomplished through mulching and cutting and piling methods for trees exceeding 20 feet in height with diameters greater than 6 inches. 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 on January 8, 2026, with a bid response deadline of February 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Central Time, and the State intends to award the contract on February 20, 2026. The contract performance period extends from March 9, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

Contract pricing will be established on a per-acre basis using the cost sheet submitted with bids, with the State awarding to the lowest responsible bidder. Contractors may exchange merchantable timber for reduced per-acre thinning rates, provided all materials are removed by contract completion. Work must be performed under dry or frozen ground conditions to minimize environmental impact, and completed work areas must comprise at least 200 acres with NGPC staff inspection required prior to payment authorization. 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. Environmental restrictions apply to protect 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 located in designated enterprise zones if all other evaluation factors are equal.