Copy of 124150-O3 Cost Sheet.xlsx

This is a cost sheet for a tree clearing service contract issued by the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission (NGPC) for the Merritt Reservoir Wildlife Management Area located in Cherry County, Nebraska. The project involves removing 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 wetlands. Primary removal methods include mulching, with cutting and piling permitted for trees exceeding 20 feet in height with greater than 6-inch diameter at breast height. The solicitation includes alternative work scope items for fuel reduction (18.9 acres) and 200-foot boundary treatment (22.4 acres). 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, with attendance required for bid submission. The response deadline is February 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Central Time, with an intent to award on February 20, 2026. The contract term runs from March 9, 2026, to June 30, 2027.

The cost sheet indicates per-acre pricing as the basis for contract valuation, with all line items currently showing zero dollars per acre and zero subtotals, suggesting pricing has not yet been established. Contractors may exchange merchantable timber for reduced per-acre thinning rates, with materials required to be removed by contract end. Completed work areas must be at least 200 acres in size and require NGPC staff inspection prior to payment. The State will award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder and reserves the right to conduct reference and credit checks. Preference may be given to resident disabled veterans or businesses in designated enterprise zones if all other factors are equal. 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, and the project includes environmental restrictions protecting Western Prairie Fringed Orchid, Northern Long-eared Bat, and Whooping Crane habitat.