Attachment 4 - MRWMA Unit 5.pdf

Attachment 4 is a geographic information system (GIS) map prepared by the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission (NGPC) depicting the Merritt Reservoir Wildlife Management Area Unit 5 located in Cherry County, Nebraska near State Highway 97. The map illustrates the spatial distribution of land classifications within the WMA Unit 5 project area, which encompasses 339.4 acres of grasslands, 101.3 acres of woodlands, 3.6 acres designated for fuels reduction, and a 200-foot boundary treatment zone covering 22.4 acres. The total project scope involves tree clearing services across approximately 4,262.5 acres, with the mandatory solicitation conference scheduled for January 21, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Merritt Reservoir State Recreational Area. Bids were due February 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Central Time, with an intended award date of February 20, 2026. The contract period runs from March 9, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The project requires removal of Eastern Red Cedar and Rocky Mountain Juniper trees measuring 18 inches and taller using primary mulching methods, with cutting and piling permitted for trees exceeding 20 feet in height with greater than 6-inch diameter at breast height. 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 while protecting Western Prairie Fringed Orchid, Northern Long-eared Bat, and Whooping Crane habitats. Completed work areas must be at least 200 acres in size and require NGPC staff inspection before payment. 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 factors are equal. Per-acre pricing will serve as the basis for contract valuation, with merchants permitted to exchange merchantable timber for decreased per-acre thinning rates, provided all materials are removed by the contract end date.