Attachment 2 - MRWMA Unit 2.pdf

This file is an attachment map document related to a tree clearing service contract solicitation issued by the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission (NGPC) for the Merritt Reservoir Wildlife Management Area in Cherry County, Nebraska. The project requires removal of 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 tall with greater than 6-inch diameter at breast height. The solicitation opened January 8, 2026, with a mandatory bidders conference scheduled for January 21, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Merritt Reservoir State Recreational Area; attendance is required for bid eligibility. The response deadline is February 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Central Time, with an intended award date of February 20, 2026. The contract term runs from March 9, 2026, to June 30, 2027.

Contract valuation is based on per-acre pricing provided on the cost sheet, with no specific budget range disclosed. 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 State will award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder following reference and credit checks. Preference may be given to resident disabled veterans or businesses in designated enterprise zones if all other factors are equal. Work must be performed under dry or frozen ground conditions to minimize environmental impact, with completed work areas requiring a minimum 200-acre size and NGPC staff inspection prior to payment. Contractors may exchange merchantable timber for a decreased per-acre thinning rate, with all materials required to be removed by contract end. Environmental restrictions protect Western Prairie Fringed Orchid, Northern Long-eared Bat, and Whooping Crane habitat, and the project includes fuel reduction efforts and 200-foot boundary treatment.