biddoc.pdf

DOUGLAS COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Finance Department ~ Purchasing Division

100 Third Street, Suite 130 Castle Rock, Colorado 80104

Telephone: 303-663-6161 www.douglasco.gov

INVITATION FOR BID (IFB)

NO. 027-26

2026 DOUGLAS COUNTY OPEN SPACE FOREST MAINTENANCE PROJECT

YOUR BID RESPONSE MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN

AUGUST 18, 2026 @ 3:00PM

BIDDER'S CERTIFICATION

We offer to provide to Douglas County the materials, supplies, products and/or services requested in accordance with the specifications and subject to the terms and conditions of the purchase(s) described herein:

BIDDER:

ADDRESS:

CITY: STATE: ZIP:

TELEPHONE NUMBER: FAX NUMBER:

EMAIL:

BY:

(Printed or Typed Name)

(Signature)

TAXPAYER I.D. NUMBER:

Signature constitutes acceptance of all terms and conditions listed on this form and all documents attached.

Bids shall be received ELECTRONICALLY ONLY through the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing/BidNet System website at (www.bidnetdirect.com/colorado/douglas-county-government). All bid responses should consist of one (1) PDF document, without password protection. It is the sole responsibility of the bidder to ensure that their bid response is received on time. Bids will not be considered which are received after the time stated.

Douglas County distributes solicitation documents through the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing/BidNet System only.

Copies of solicitations obtained from other sources are not considered official copies and the County cannot attest to their accuracy. All BidNet System questions must be addressed with BidNet Vendor Support at 800-835-4603.

Douglas County Government reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive formalities, informalities, or irregularities contained in the said bid and furthermore, to award an agreement/contract for items herein, either in whole or in part, if it is deemed to be in the best interest of the County to do so. Additionally, the County reserves the right to negotiate optional items and/or services with the successful bidder.

http://www.douglasco.gov/ http://www.bidnetdirect.com/colorado/douglas-county-government

OVERVIEW:

Through this Invitation for Bid (IFB), the Department of Open Space and Natural Resources of Douglas County Government, hereinafter referred to as the County, respectfully requests bids from responsible and qualified companies for the provision of Open Space Forest Maintenance, as specified. Forest Maintenance will reduce wildfire hazards through the retreatment of previously treated Gambel Oak.

The contract, issued as a result of this IFB, will be for a period of five months, beginning approximately August 2026 to and including December 31, 2026. All pricing shall be firm and fixed for the contract period. This agreement/contract and any extension to the original period of a subject agreement/contract shall be contingent upon annual funding being appropriated, budgeted, and otherwise made available for such purposes and subject to the County’s unanimous satisfaction with the products and services received during the preceding agreement/contract period.

MANDATORY SITE VISIT:

ON THURSDAY AUGUST 6, 2026 @ 10:00AM, THERE WILL BE A MANDATORY SITE VISIT RELATED

TO THIS PROJECT. THE MANDATORY SITE VISIT WILL ALLOW ALL POTENTIAL VENDORS THE

OPPORTUNITY TO VIEW THE WORK SITE LOCATION AND DISCUSS THE PROJECT DETAILS.

THE MANDATORY SITE VISIT WILL BE HELD AT DAWSON BUTTE OPEN SPACE 1753 TOMAH RD,

CASTLE ROCK, CO 80109, ONLY THOSE PROSPECTIVE VENDORS, ATTENDING THE

MANDATORY SITE VISIT, WILL BE ALLOWED TO SUBMIT A RESPONSE ON THIS PROJECT.

(Please bring a business card, as sign-in sheets will not be passed around).

TENTATIVE BID CALENDAR:

July 23, 2026 Invitation for Bid (IFB), posted on the RME-Purchasing System August 6, 2026 MANDATORY Site Visit (see page two) August 10, 2026 Invitation for Bid (IFB), deadline for submission of questions August 14, 2026 Invitation for Bid (IFB), posting of questions/responses August 18, 2026 Invitation for Bid (IFB), due date (see page one) August 2026 Interview of Finalists, if necessary August 2026 Final Selection August 2026 Contract Start Date

SCOPE OF WORK:

Purpose:

• Reduce wildfire hazard through the re-treatment of previously treated Gambel oak.

Location and General Description of Work:

• The Dawson Butte property is located in portions of the South ½ Southwest ¼ of Section 6, Township 9, Range 67 West, Sixth Principle Meridian, Douglas County, Colorado. The project area is located off Tomah Road, approximately 7 miles southwest of the Town of Castle Rock, Colorado.

• Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) will be the Project Administrator in accordance with a service agreement with Douglas County.

• A site inspection is required for this project. Work involves fuel reduction in previously treated Gambel oak via mechanical mowing and mastication.

Unit Descriptions:

The 2026 Dawson Butte Forest Maintenance Project area consists of six Gambel oak re-treatment blocks on the Dawson Butte Open Space property. The project area has a gross acreage of approximately 276 acres. The treatment blocks are shown on the maps in Exhibit B and are described in the following section:

Treatment Blocks: Dawson Butte – 2026

Block Name Acres Treatment Period Management Unit 1a 106 August – December 31, 2026 Management Unit 1b 67 August – December 31, 2026 Management Unit 4 19 August – December 31, 2026 Management Unit 5 12 August – December 31, 2026 Management Unit 6 33 August – December 31, 2026 Management Unit 9 39 August – December 31, 2026 Total Acres 276.0

Previous Treatments: Management Units 1a, 4, 5, 6, and 9 were all most recently treated in 2023. The 2023 project focused on oak re-treatment to reduce ladder fuels and wildfire hazard, maintaining the effectiveness of past projects. Management Unit 1b was treated in 2024. This was an initial entry forest stand improvement project involving forest thinning, harvesting, mastication, and ladder fuels removal. The 2026 Douglas County Open Space Forest Maintenance Project will focus on re-treatment of all previously treated oak within all the above units.

Unit Conditions: Management units 1a, 1b, 4, and 5 are ponderosa pine dominant stands with a substantial Gambel oak understory. Management Unit 6 consists of open grown ponderosa pine on the south side, which transitions to a denser mixed conifer forest on the north end. Gambel oak is present in the understory throughout. Management Unit 9 is primarily Gambel oak dominant shrublands with some conifers sparsely spread across the unit.

Trail Buffers: Management Units 1a, 1b, 4, and 5 contain a network of public recreation trails. All oak will be retained within 10-15 feet of hiking trails to maintain the integrity of the trail system.

Pond Buffer: A pond is located near the treatment area in Management Unit 9. This pond supports critical wildlife habitat, and an associated buffer has been established around the pond. No mechanical equipment is permitted within the pond buffer.

Management Unit 9 access road & fence: All oak within 10 feet of each side of the access road through the block will be removed. All oak within 20 feet of the fence line on the eastern boundary of the block will be removed.

Mountain mahogany should be retained when healthy and not acting as a ladder fuel.

Treatment order: Management Unit 9 shall be completed before beginning Management Unit 6.

Access: All units are accessible via the two-track roads within the property. There are two access gates to enter the property, one on the east side at the trailhead, and one near the southwestern corner along Tomah Road.

Project Marking: This project will utilize virtual boundaries. As such, treatment unit boundaries will not be flagged. Georeferenced versions of the maps included in Exhibit B will be provided to the Contractor awarded the project. The Contractor is expected to utilize digital tools such as Avensa Maps to maintain situational awareness throughout the project. Any questions regarding boundaries should be brought to the Project Administrator if uncertainty arises. If necessary, sections may be flagged to provide clarification.

Forest Maintenance Treatments:

The project will involve mowing previously treated stands of Gambel oak. The desire is to reduce the risk of severe wildland fire behavior by removing ladder fuels and heavy woody material (tops, broken trees, slash) on the ground.

This project requires the use of equipment that is comparable to a Bobcat with a brush hog mower attachment or Fecon masticating head. Rubber tracked equipment is specified for this project. Handwork may be required in portions of the treatment blocks due to slope/rock.

Prescriptions:

Gambel oak re-treatment.

• All previously treated oak will be removed via mowing and/or mastication if necessary.

• Oak targeted for removal can vary from roughly knee to waist high.

• All oak stumps will be cut flush to the ground.

• Chips, chunks, and debris will be well distributed across the project area with a desired average of 3-inches or less, not to exceed 4 inches.

• Ponderosa pine seedlings and saplings will be retained. Mountain mahogany, choke cherry, Boulder raspberry, native plum, and other shrubs and forbs should be retained when healthy and not acting as a ladder fuel.

• Any vegetation with nests will be retained and left undisturbed.

Contract Period and Operational Period:

• Hours of operation are limited to daylight hours of 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.; five days a week.

• The startup of chainsaws and mechanized equipment is not allowed before 8:00 a.m.

• No work on holidays unless approved by the Project Administrator.

• Work is to be completed in 2026 between August – December 31st. Extensions will not be considered.

Additional Performance Standards:

• These are high recreational use areas. Contractor will be responsible for posting signs along the trail when working in close proximity to the trails/roads. Any material masticated on the trails/roads will be removed at the end of each day. All access roads will be kept passable at all times. Care needs to be taken to minimize damage to the road/trails. Any damage to the road/trail will be repaired by the Contractor at the Project Administrator’s discretion.

• Camping will not be allowed on the properties.

• Parking of trucks and equipment will be determined beforehand and will be agreed upon with the

Contractor and Project Administrator before any work occurs.

• The Contractor will not leave trash and litter on the property. Daily hauling of any trash generated by the

Contractor or crew is the Contractor’s responsibility.

• Roads/trails and other improvements will be repaired to the same condition as found prior to the start of work. Prior to final acceptance of completion of the project all roads and trails will be inspected and in working condition. If deemed necessary by the Project Administrator roads will be graded and water bars installed.

• In areas where machines have used a path repeatedly, water bars will be installed if the Project Administrator determines necessary.

• Gates, fences, or signs damaged by the Contractor will be repaired to a like or better condition, or replaced by the Contractor, at the discretion of the Project Administrator.

• The Project Administrator may suspend or limit operations if excess damage is occurring due to mud, snow, extreme fire danger, etc. or due to the following situation(s): failure to meet contract specifications.

• The Contractor will wash the undercarriage of all trucks and equipment before entering the units to reduce the spread of noxious weeds from other projects.

• Any soil contaminated by loss of fuel, oil, grease, hydraulic fluid, coolant or other fluids shall be removed and placed in covered drums or other acceptable containers for proper disposal by the Contractor.

• Areas with excessive rutting caused by the turning of tracked equipment, as determined by the Project Administrator, shall be raked smooth to the original slope of the ground.

• Smoking will only be allowed in vehicles. Each vehicle must have a properly serviced Class A, 10-pound fire extinguisher and a minimum of one fire tool per crew member. All vehicles must utilize effective manufacturer-certified spark arresters and muffler systems.

• All access roads will be kept passable at all times. The Contractor will remove any significant accumulation of mulch on the access roads and trails. This will have to be done daily if working near the main roads leading into the property.

• The work site will be left in a safe manner at the end of every workday:

o Equipment properly and safely stored, ignition keys removed from machinery.

o All vehicles and equipment left on site will be safely parked on level ground with the wheels chocked.

o Chainsaws, gasoline, and oil will be stored and locked inside a vehicle or secured in a locked metal box at the end of each workday.

• All subcontractors must be approved by the Project Administrator in writing prior to contract signing and bid approval.

• The following rehabilitation requirements will apply:

o Skid Trails Skid trails shall be closed, as directed by the Project Administrator, by constructing water bars and brushing-in with slash or masticated material.

Water bars will be placed at natural areas of drainage, but at no less than the minimum spacing determined by the formula: Spacing = 1,000% Slope.

o Landings and Decks

Landings and decks shall be restored by:

• Masticating any residual slash and removing all unutilized wood (ex. butt ends).

• Smoothing and shaping to remove ruts, berms and other surface disturbances;

and to provide for drainage.

• If deemed necessary by the Project Administrator the landing/deck areas may need to be re-seeded in with a local grass seed mix.

Damage Penalty:

Excessive damage to the remaining forest stand or the removal of undesignated products will be paid for at the rate of $200.00 for each significantly damaged tree that is 6 inches dbh or greater. Penalties may also be assessed for damage to soil, improvements or other elements of the forest stand. Determination of damage is at the sole discretion of the Project Administrator.

Insurance:

The Contractor will provide a copy of General Liability Insurance Certificate ($1,000,000) naming Douglas County Open Space and Natural Resources as additional insured.

Contractor shall obtain, and maintain at all times during the term of the project, insurance of the following kinds:

1) Workmen’s Compensation Insurance as required by state stature.

2) Commercial General Liability Insurance.

3) Automobile Liability Insurance.

Plan of Operations:

The Contractor will submit a Plan of Operations with the bid for this project. The Plan of Operations will include the projected start and end date for the project and equipment to be used.

Potential Additional Tree Mitigation Assistance:

There will be the potential for additional tree mitigation assistance on Douglas County Open Space properties. When Insect & disease, and/or hazard trees are identified, the Contractor may be contacted to provide a price quote for a removal. Treatment options for these identified trees will be based on the trees’ location and the issue that is causing the need for removal. Douglas County Open Space staff will determine final treatment options. Once work has been acceptably completed, the Contractor will invoice the County for payment.

BID CONDITIONS AND PROVISIONS:

All bids must be submitted on the forms provided and in accordance with all terms, conditions, specifications, and stipulations contained herein. Bidders shall carefully read and be familiar with all terms, conditions, specifications, and stipulations contained in this IFB, which shall become part of the final agreement/contract.

All bids must be signed by a duly-authorized official of the company. The completed and signed bidder certification page (together with all required attachments) must be uploaded to the Rocky Mountain E- Purchasing/BidNet System before the due date and time shown on page one (1).

All participating bidders, by their signature on the certification page, shall agree to comply with all terms, conditions, specifications, and stipulations of this IFB as stated or implied herein. Any alteration, erasure or interlineation by the bidder in this IFB shall constitute cause for rejection by the County. Exceptions or deviations to this IFB must not be added to the IFB pages and must be on company letterhead and accompany the bid response.

All bidders are required to complete all of the information requested in this IFB. Failure to do so may result in the disqualification of your bid response. When omitting a bid on an item, please insert the words “NO BID”.

Prices stated must be in the units specified. In the case of a discrepancy between the unit price and extension price, the unit price shall be considered correct. Minor details omitted by oversight will not constitute an excuse for their omission.

Bid pricing shall be fixed and subject to acceptance or rejection within ninety (90) days of the bid due date.

The County will not be responsible for any goods delivered and/or services performed without its purchase order, signed by an authorized representative of the County’s Purchasing Division.

The successful bidder will be required to provide proof of and the required limits of liability insurance, including Workers’ Compensation. This proof of insurance must be in the form of a “Certificate of Insurance” and must show coverage in the amounts specified by the laws of the State of Colorado for the duration of any agreement/contract issued as a result of this IFB. Additionally, the County must be notified of any changes occurring in this coverage and the successful bidder must demonstrate to the County that such changes do not, in any way, affect the minimum liability insurance required for this bid.

All information submitted in response to this IFB may be subject to disclosure under the Colorado Open Records Act. Bidders are discouraged from providing information that they consider confidential and/or privileged as part of their response to this IFB. If any portion of your response is identified as proprietary and/or confidential, a redacted copy must be uploaded to the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing/BidNet System with your original/complete response.

The successful bidder may be required, as a provision of this IFB, to submit proof of compliance with governmental health and safety codes, regulations and standards, as appropriate.

The successful bidder shall be in complete compliance with all terms, conditions, specifications, and stipulations of this IFB as outlined herein. The County shall have the right to inspect the facilities and equipment of the successful bidder to ensure such compliance.

No bid shall be accepted from, and no agreement/contract will be awarded to, any person, firm or corporation that is in arrears to the County, upon debt or contract, or that is a defaulter, as surety or otherwise, upon any obligation to the County, or that has failed to attain or demonstrate compliance with any law, ordinance, regulation, or agreement/contract term or condition as may be provided for or required in any County agreement/contract, or that may be deemed irresponsible or unreliable by the County. Bidders may be required to submit satisfactory evidence that they have a practical knowledge of the particular work bid upon and that they have the necessary financial resources to perform and complete the work outlined in this IFB.

All bidders agree to abide by all of the laws, regulations, and administrative rulings of the United States, the State of Colorado, and the County of Douglas, securing all necessary licenses/permits in connection with this IFB.

All materials furnished or services performed under the terms of this agreement/contract issued as a result of this IFB shall comply with the requirements and standards specified in the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970 (Public Law 91-596), as well as with other applicable federal, state, and local codes.

In the event that this IFB requires a formal contract to be prepared by the County, the successful bidder will properly sign and furnish any bonds, insurance, Workers’ Compensation, etc. as may be required by the County within ten (10) days (unless a longer period is allowed by the County) from the date of receipt of the formal contract forms.

All bidders must take into consideration that only the County’s documents will be used in the finalization of any contract issued as a result of this IFB. Bidders are responsible for reviewing such documents prior to submitting their bid response.

All bidders must submit written disclosure of any known potential conflicts of interest that may result during the purchase of goods and/or the performance of the services listed herein.

ETHICAL STANDARDS:

It shall be a breach of ethical standards for any person to offer, give, or agree to give any employee or former employee, or for any employee or former employee to solicit, demand, accept, or agree to accept from another person, a gratuity or an offer of employment in connection with any decision, approval, disapproval, recommendation, preparation of any part of a program requirement or purchase request, influencing the content of any specification or procurement standard, rendering of advice, investigation, auditing, or in any other capacity in any proceeding of application, request for ruling, determination, claim or controversy, or other particular matter, pertaining to any program requirement or an agreement/contract or subcontract, or to any solicitation or IFB, therefore.

It shall be a breach of ethical standards for any payment, gratuity, or offer of employment to be made by or on behalf of a subcontractor under an agreement/contract to the prime contractor or higher tier subcontractor or any person associated therewith, as an inducement for the award of a subcontract or order.

In the event that any gratuities or kickbacks are offered or tendered to any County employee or representative, the bid response shall be disqualified and shall not be reinstated.

ETHICSPOINT/NAVEX GLOBAL:

Douglas County is committed to an environment where open, honest communication is the expectation, not the exception. Douglas County has implemented a phone and Internet-based reporting system called EthicsPoint/Navex Global. The reporting system allows employees to report issues or concerns that they may have in an anonymous and confidential manner. We consider it a critical component in providing a safe, secure, and ethical workplace.

An option within the system allows vendors to also report an issue. As a vendor, you are in a position to observe not only questionable or unethical behavior by our employees but also identify areas that you would like to make a suggestion for change. By calling 1-888-337-3094 or logging-in on the Internet to www.ethicspoint.com and entering Douglas County Government, you can file a report, offer a suggestion or voice a concern. Online instructions are available on how to use the system. The EthicsPoint/Navex Global system also offers a follow-up/response mechanism. You can be assured that this is a fast, easy, and confidential system.

NON-COLLUSIVE BIDDING CERTIFICATION:

By the submission of your bid response, the bidder certifies that:

1) The bid has been arrived at by the bidder independently and has been submitted without collusion with any other bidder.

http://www.ethicspoint.com/

2) The contents of the bid have not been communicated by the bidder; nor, to the best of their knowledge and belief, by any of their employees or agents, to any person not an employee or agent of the bidder or the surety on any bond furnished herewith, and will not be communicated to any such person prior to the official opening of this bid.

3) No bidder shall submit more than one (1) bid for this purchase.

NON-DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT:

In connection with the performance of the work under an agreement/contract issued as a result of this IFB, the successful bidder must agree not to refuse to hire, discharge, promote or demote, or to discriminate in matters of compensation against any person otherwise qualified, solely because of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or physical or mental disability. The successful bidder must further agree to insert the foregoing provision into all subcontracts.

INDEMNIFICATION:

The County cannot and by this contract does not agree to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate or assume the defense of the company or any other person or entity whatsoever, for any purpose whatsoever. The company shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the County, its commissioners, officials, officers, directors, agents, and employees from any and all claims, demands, suits, actions or proceedings of any kind or nature whatsoever, including Workers’ Compensation claims, in any way resulting from or arising from the services rendered under this contract; provided, however, that the company need not indemnify or save harmless the County, its officers, agents and employees from damages resulting from the sole negligence of the County’s commissioners, officials, officers, directors, agents, and employees.

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR:

The company is an Independent Contractor and is free to perform services for other clients. Notwithstanding any provision of this contract, all personnel assigned by the company to perform work under this contract shall be, and remain at all times, employees of the company for all purposes. The County shall have no responsibility for any federal and state taxes and contributions for Social Security, unemployment insurance, income withholding tax, and other taxes measured by wages paid to employees of the company and/or its designated agents. The company acknowledges that it and its employees are not entitled to Workers’ Compensation benefits or Unemployment Insurance benefits from the County, unless the company or a third party provides such coverage, and that the County does not pay for or otherwise provide such coverage. The company shall provide and keep in force Workers’ Compensation (and provide proof of such insurance when requested by the County) and Unemployment Compensation insurance in the amounts required by law, and shall be solely responsible for its own actions, its employees and agents.

ASSIGNMENT OF PURCHASE ORDER OR CONTRACT:

The successful bidder may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under any purchase order or agreement/contract made and entered into pursuant to the County IFB without the prior written approval of the County Purchasing Division.

CANCELLATION:

The County reserves the right to cancel the whole or any part of an agreement/contract issued as a result of this IFB due to the failure of the successful bidder to carry out any term, promise or condition of the agreement/contract. The County will issue a written notice of default to the successful bidder for failing to act in compliance with the terms and conditions of such an agreement/contract.

EXAMINATION OF RECORDS:

The successful bidder agrees that the County shall, until the expiration of three (3) years after the final payment under an agreement/contract issued as a result of this IFB, have access to and the right to examine any directly pertinent books, documents, papers, and records of the bidder involving transactions of such agreement/contract.

PRICE, PAYMENT, AND DELIVERY:

1) All prices shall be firm and fixed for the specified time frame.

2) All payment terms shall be “Net 30”; consideration will be given to any discounts offered for payments made earlier than “Net 30”, please explain.

3) In an effort to improve efficiency, Douglas County encourages the use of purchasing cards to make payments.

Under this method, payments are made after the verification of the receipt of the goods and services and following the receipt of a proper invoice. Please confirm if this would be an acceptable payment option.

4) All deliveries will be “F.O.B. ~ Destination”

TAXES:

All pricing shall reflect all applicable tax exemptions for Douglas County:

1) Federal Registration Number: 84-6000761

2) State Registration Number: 98-04428

COOPERATIVE PURCHASING:

Douglas County encourages cooperative purchasing in an effort to assist other agencies to reduce their cost of bidding and to make better use of taxpayer dollars through volume purchasing. Vendors may, at their discretion, agree to extend the prices and/or terms of the resulting award to other state or local government agencies, school districts, or political subdivisions in the event they would have a need for the same product/service. Usage by any entity shall not have a negative impact on Douglas County in the current term or in any future terms. The vendor must deal directly with any governmental agency concerning the placement of purchase orders/agreements, freight/delivery charges, contractual disputes, invoices, and payments. Douglas County shall not be liable for any costs or damages incurred by any other entity.

QUESTIONS/INQUIRIES/ADDENDUMS:

All questions related to this IFB must be submitted ELECTRONICALLY ONLY through the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing/BidNet System website at (www.bidnetdirect.com/colorado/douglas-county-government). Please enter only one (1) question per line.

Questions will be received until 2:00pm MST on Monday August 10, 2026. Responses to all questions will be posted on the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing/BidNet System no-later-than Friday August 14, 2026.

If it becomes necessary to revise any part of this IFB or if additional data is necessary to enable an exact interpretation of the provisions of this request, an addendum will be issued. It is the responsibility of the potential bidder to ensure that they have received all addendums prior to submitting their IFB response.

http://www.bidnetdirect.com/colorado/douglas-county-government

INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) #027-26

INSTRUCTION TO BIDDERS

GENERAL INFORMATION:

1) The Department of Open Space and Natural Resources of Douglas County Government, hereinafter referred to as the County, respectfully requests bids from responsible and qualified companies for the provision of Open Space Forest Maintenance, as specified. Forest Maintenance will reduce wildfire hazards through the retreatment of previously treated Gambel Oak.

2) The scope of work and all terms and conditions are outlined within this document. It shall be understood that there is no intention to mention each and every item required. The contractor represents that he/she has the necessary knowledge, abilities and resources to fulfill the requirements of this project. The contractor represents that he/she has the necessary knowledge, abilities and resources to provide a quality project.

Furthermore, each bidder represents that they are familiar with the site, scope and nature of this project, and understands the conditions under which they will be obligated to operate.

3) The successful bidder will be responsible for completing all forest management activities related to this project, as indicated within the bid documents. Completion shall be defined as all on the ground activities and obligations have been completed and accepted in writing by Douglas County.

4) Bidders shall list, on company letterhead marked “EXCEPTIONS TO BID SPECIFICATIONS”, any proposed deviations from the specifications contained within. Each deviation shall be explained in detail, listing its advantages and/or disadvantages. The County has the option of accepting or rejecting the “EXCEPTIONS TO BID SPECIFICATIONS” at its sole discretion. The selection of a vendor shall be made based on the bid determined to be in the County’s best interest and may not necessarily be the lowest bid.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

1) Site Conditions ~ Bidders shall examine and determine the location and nature of the proposed work and site access and determine any difficulties that should be anticipated.

2) Protection of Work and Public Safety ~ The Contractor must take the necessary precautions to avoid any unsafe conditions within the work area. This may include but not be limited to; the use of barricades, signs, flagging, tapes, and fencing.

3) Inspection and Approval ~ The Owner (Douglas County Government) shall at all times have access to the project and the opportunity to inspect operations. The owner reserves the right to reject or require the correction of workmanship (work completed), which in the Owner’s opinion, fails to meet specifications.

Any rejected work will be redone at no cost to the owner.

4) Superintendent ~ The Contractor shall employ only qualified, experienced Supervisors and Technicians, skilled in forestry work. All work specified herein shall be performed under the supervision of a Site Superintendent, thoroughly familiar with the work to be done under this contract.

INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) #027-26

BID SCHEDULE

This IFB is for the Open Space Forest Maintenance Project, as specified. All bid responses shall be submitted on the following bid schedule. The County will select one (1) contractor only in its final decision. Douglas County Government reserves the right to reject any or all bids, or accept any presented, which meet or exceed the specifications which are deemed to be in the best interest of Douglas County. Douglas County will not be bound to accept the lowest bid response. Douglas County reserves the right to waive formalities or informalities contained in said bid and to negotiate any optional items with the successful bidder.

All bidders must submit the following information:

• Bid Schedule

• Equipment to be used for: mechanical felling, skidding, loading, and log trucks

• Examples & References (3 similar scope projects with contacts & phone numbers)

*Include cost of log removal and hauling into bid prices*

Dawson Butte ~ 276.0 Acres Cost/Acre: $___________________ Total Project Cost $________________________________

EQUIPMENT TO BE USED ~ Attach a memo explaining the type of equipment that will be used for this project:

include brand name, specific model type, and any other categorizing information for each piece of equipment.

UTILIZATION PLAN ~ Describe how harvesting operations will be handled. Information to be included in the plan is as follows: equipment to be used (i.e. hand felling vs. mechanical felling, skidder, loader, log trucks), crews, how timber will be processed and removed etc.

REFERENCES ~ All bidders must have successfully completed three (3) projects of similar scope and scale over the past five (5) years. Reference information for these three (3) projects, must include name, contact person, address, telephone number, and e-mail address. In addition, each reference must include the project name, timeline, and cost.

The contractor must not have defaulted on any contract involving forest management activities within the last three

(3) years.

EXHIBITS ~

• Exhibit A ~ Public Contract for Services (for information only)

• Exhibit B ~ Project Maps

BIDDER'S CERTIFICATION