Attachment 2 - MRWMA Unit 2.pdf

This is a Scope of Work attachment map for the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission (NGPC) regarding tree clearing operations at the Merritt Reservoir Wildlife Management Area in Cherry County, Nebraska. The NGPC is soliciting proposals for tree clearing services across approximately 4,262.5 acres, which includes 3,965.1 acres of grasslands and 297.4 acres of woodlands. The primary objective is the removal of Eastern Red Cedar and Rocky Mountain Juniper trees measuring 18 inches and taller, with primary removal methods utilizing mulching and cutting/piling permitted for trees exceeding 20 feet tall 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 submission. The solicitation opened on January 8, 2026, with responses due February 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Central Time. The contract will commence March 9, 2026, and conclude June 30, 2027, with an intended award date of February 20, 2026.

Contract pricing will be based on per-acre rates submitted by bidders, with work performed under dry or frozen ground conditions to minimize environmental impact. 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. The State reserves the right to conduct reference and credit checks and will award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder. Preference may be given to resident disabled veterans or businesses in designated enterprise zones if all other factors are equal. Environmental restrictions protect Western Prairie Fringed Orchid, Northern Long-eared Bat, and Whooping Crane habitat. Contractors may exchange merchantable timber for a decreased per-acre thinning rate, with all materials required to be removed by the contract end date. Completed work areas must be at least 200 acres in size and require NGPC staff inspection prior to payment authorization.