Statement of Work – Request for Proposal RFP Title: (FAC 120) Firebreak Maintenance and Hazard Tree Removal in Nickerson State Park FY27 Commbuys Bid Number: BD-27-1020-DCRFC-DC366-134921 Contract Number: FAC 120 Contract Category: Category 3 – Tree Services

Description of need Summary:

This Request for Proposals (RFP) is posted by the Department of Conservation and Recreation for the procurement of a vendor or vendors to perform the following task(s):

Task 1 - Maintain firebreak along Ober Road; cut and remove trees, mulch small trees, and mow brush on DCR Lands within Nickerson State Park Task 2 - Remove and mitigate hazard trees throughout Nickerson State Park; including, but not limited to: campgrounds, internal roads, internal bike path

All work shall be in accordance with FAC120 – Landscaping Services, Snow Removal, Tree Services and Related Services and the provisions of the contract as listed in the Scope of Work.

Commonwealth Eligible Entity Engaging a Vendor:

This Request for Proposal (RFP) does not commit DCR to approve a Statement of Work (SOW), pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a bidder’s response to this RFP, or to engage for products or services. DCR reserves the right to accept or reject any and all quotes received as a result of this RFP and to contract for some, all, or none of the responding vendors as a result of this RFP. DCR further reserves the right to negotiate with any or all responding vendors or to cancel this RFP, in part or in its entirety, if it is in the best interest of the agency to do so.

The selected vendor(s) will be responsible for the following task(s):

Task 1 – Firebreak Maintenance

· Cut and remove trees, mulch small trees, and mow brush along Ober Road Task 2 – Hazard Tree Removal and Mitigation

· Remove and mitigate hazard trees throughout Nickerson State Park; including, but not limited to: campgrounds, internal roads, internal bike path

Task 1 – Firebreak Maintenance Scope of Work:

Point of contact and task manager for Task 1 will be:

Tree Removal

· All marked live white pine, live pitch pine, and live hardwood trees shall be felled and removed from the project area. All live trees are within 12 feet of Ober Road.

· All marked standing dead trees shall be removed. Standing dead trees are within 50 feet of Ober Road.

· All marked dead and down trees shall be either removed or mulched in place. Dead and down trees are within 30 feet of Ober Road.

· All tree stumps shall protrude no more than 2” from the ground surface at the conclusion of all treatment activities.

· All felled material shall be removed from the project area.

· Trees are marked with orange paint on the side facing the road.

· All marked live hardwood trees shall be stacked at the landing after their tops have been removed. DCR staff will remove the hardwood trees from the landing.

Approximate number of trees:

Small Tree Mulching All trees (live or dead) under 5 inches in diameter at breast height (4.5 ft above the ground) within 12 feet of Ober Road shall be felled and removed from the project area or mulched in place.

Brush Mowing All brush (shrubs, vines, brambles, grasses, etc.) within 12 feet of Ober Road shall be completely mowed/mulched in place (e.g. with an ASV machine with a mulching head) to approximately 6 inches in height.

Additional Provisions

· All limbs overhanging the project area and on remaining trees within the project area will be pruned to 12 feet in height and removed.

· The Landing shall be at the intersection of Ober Road and the powerlines (see map).

· Tree Removal, Small Tree mulching, and Brush mowing will occur from the eastern edge of Ober Road where the boundary is the centerline of the road ( 5,250 ft) and from both edges of Ober Road where DCR owns both sides (an additional 500 ft).

· Contractor shall mow all brush within the powerline easement within 20 feet of Ober Road to the above specifications.

· No skidding of material will be allowed.

· Ober Road will be cleared of all debris upon completion.

· Contractor shall provide DCR with at least a two-week notice on when they will begin operations, as well as the duration of operations, to allow DCR to inform abutters.

Resulting Mulch

· Mulch from all the activities described above shall consist of shredded, non-compacted, woody material.

· Mulch shall be as evenly dispersed as feasible and shall not exceed 3” in depth in order to minimize packing and to maintain air space to promote drying and decomposition.

· Size and structure of individual pieces of mulch produced by the Contractor shall be approved by DCR. The Contractor shall modify their mulching process as needed to create individual pieces of mulch of a size and structure acceptable to DCR.

Equipment Specifications Machinery is subject to approval by DCR and must be capable of mowing/mulching shrubs >4’ in height as well as being capable of felling, removing, transporting, and removing from the project area all designated trees. Approved machinery must be kept at the specified equipment staging area identified by DCR staff when not in use, unless otherwise permitted. All machinery must carry working fire extinguishers and spill kit.

Figure 1. Task 1 Locus

Figure 2. Task 1 Limit of Work

Task 1 - General Specifications

1) Scope of Work

a) The Contractor shall provide all labor, materials, equipment, supervision, and other services and permits required to complete the work.

b) The Contractor shall meet all provisions as outlined in OSD’s Statewide Contract FAC 120.

c) Prior to performing any work, the Contractor shall provide DCR a work schedule for all crews and personnel performing mowing/mulching and associated contract services.

d) Prior to the completion of all work, the Contractor and a DCR representative shall perform a site visit to ensure compliance with specifications.

2) Superintendent, Skilled Labor, and Employees

a) The Contractor shall assign a suitable superintendent to this contract for its duration; and shall provide DCR with the name and contact information of the superintendent so designated by the Contractor. The Contractor hereby warrants and represents that:

i) The superintendent is duly authorized to manage the day-to-day operations identified in this scope of service and bind the Contractor to all work associated with the timely and proper implementation of these specifications and performance standards identified in this Scope of Service.

ii) The operators and all others employed by the Contractor shall be licensed, skilled, experienced, and trained in the particular scope assigned to them.

iii) The Contractor shall comply with all applicable local, state and federal laws, including, without limitation, OSHA and any other regulations concerning the performance of this contract.

iv) Each employee assigned to perform work under this Scope of Services shall perform such work and otherwise engage with the public and state officials in a professional and competent manner.

v) All bidders must thoroughly acquaint themselves with these limitations and include in their pricing all necessary and specified materials, labor, equipment, and safety apparatus to complete the work as specified.

b) The superintendent shall be thoroughly knowledgeable and informed concerning every aspect of this work.

c) Upon request, the Contractor shall furnish DCR a copy of all resumes, licenses and credentials of all employees retained by Contractor to perform services under this Contract.

d) The Contractor shall keep accurate and complete records of all work performed under this Contract and shall make such records available to DCR for inspection.

e) The Contractor agrees to transfer any employee that DCR, by and through its DCR Monitor, has determined to engage in unprofessional conduct in contravention in subparagraph 2(a)(iv) above.

3) Night, Saturday, Sunday, or Holiday Work

a) The Contractor shall prosecute its work under the Notice to Proceed or any subsequently issued Work Order from Monday through Friday and for this contract during the hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Contractor shall not perform any work on any weekend, duly recognized Holiday or non-standard hours unless the Contractor receives express written permission from DCR.

4) Weather Conditions

a) The Contractor shall be responsible to employ all means and measures to perform this work as assigned at all times during a calendar year. No work will be done when, in the opinion of DCR, the weather or conditions are unsuitable.

5) Change Orders Generally

a) No changes in the work shall be made in absence of a Notice to Proceed, directing the Contractor to perform such changes.

b) A request for a change in the provisions of this Contract may be submitted to DCR. The request must be made in writing and in accordance with the provisions of this Contract.

c) A Change Order may only be issued by DCR for changes in the Work within the scope of this Contract, including but not limited to, changes in: (1) the Plans and Specifications; (2) the method or manner of performance of the Work; (3) amount of furnished services; or (4) the schedule for performance of the Work.

d) The Contractor shall immediately perform any Change Order work ordered by DCR.

6) Protection of Persons and Property

a) The Contractor shall perform all work in a safe and orderly manner.

b) The Contractor shall ensure that it performs its work in such a manner to ensure no damage to property contiguous to tree cutting activities, including those public and private.

c) The Contractor is, at no additional cost to the Agency, responsible for addressing and solving any such problems it encounters during operations.

d) The Contractor shall erect and otherwise post warning signage, and/ or other approved and mandated devices to warn persons and vehicles passing and/ or moving by all work sites.

e) DCR reserves the right to require the Contractor to provide security fence and enclosures as required by job conditions to insure protection of persons, materials, and work on the site.

f) The Contractor shall safely protect the property of all public and private concerns and all adjacent property from loss or damage because of the work and shall repair or replace any damage, injury, or loss resulting from this Contract at no additional cost to DCR or property owners.

g) All machinery must carry working fire extinguishers.

7) Safety Regulations

a) The Contractor shall perform all work under this Scope of Services in strict accordance with all applicable OSHA and State safety regulations.

b) The Contractor shall assume the entire responsibility for the safety of employees and shall be responsible for all injury resulting from the failure thereof. All equipment and vehicles must have an up to date safety inspection.

8) Traffic

a) The Contractor shall perform all work covered under this Scope of Services in such a manner that maintains the safety of pedestrian, bicycle, or horse traffic on forest roads and trails.

9) Payments

a) The Contractor shall submit a final invoice, preferably electronic file, emailed to DCR for the payment of duly completed work under a duly issued Notice to Proceed.

b) DCR reserves the right to withhold payment for one or more of the following matters:

i) The Contractor fails to perform its work in a professional manner.

ii) Any claim by any third party for any work arising out of Contractor’s performance of work under this Contract.

iii) The Contractor failed to comply, in all respects with the Wetlands Protection Regulations set forth at 310 CMR 10.06(6)(a)4.

iv) The Contractor failed to make payments in a timely manner to subcontractors or for labor, material, or equipment, and/ or unsatisfactory prosecution of the work by the Contractor.

v) The Contractor has failed to comply with the cleanup standards set forth in Paragraph 13 below.

vi) Proper back up documentation not supplied

c) Before DCR withholds any payment to the Contractor under this Contract, DCR shall provide the Contractor written notice of its intent to withhold specifying the reasons for its actions. The Contractor shall be afforded ten (10) business days from date of issuance to cure DCR’s reasons for withholding payment.

10) Guarantees and Warrantees

a) The Contractor shall guarantee their workmanship for one year after completion and acceptance by DCR, and shall cure, without any cost to DCR, any defect that may occur during this period.

11) Permits, Fees, and Notices

a) The Contractor shall secure and pay all permits and governmental fees, licenses, and inspections necessary for the proper execution and completion of the work which are customarily secured after the execution of a contract, and which are legally required based on the scope of work.

12) Prevailing Wage Rates

a) Wage Rates must be in accordance with G. L. c. 149, §§26 and 27D the Prevailing Wage Rates as instructed in FAC120.

b) The awarding authority has a legal obligation to request a prevailing wage schedule from the Department of Labor Standards (DLS) at www.mass.gov/dols. In addition, bidders and proposers must agree to comply with the Prevailing Wage Law, as administered by the DLS. Questions regarding the Prevailing Wage Law may be answered by accessing the DLS website at www.mass.gov/dols or by calling the DLS Prevailing Wage Program at (617) 626-6953.

13) Project Clean Up

a) The Contractor shall leave the premises in an orderly condition approved by a DCR representative and will be responsible for any additional costs associated with unfinished cleanup work.

14) Reassignment of the Contract

a) The Contractor will not be permitted to either assign the contract, or assign either legally or equitably, any moneys hereunder or its claim thereto, without DCR’s previously written consent.

15) Price/Time Increases

a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Contract to the contrary, except as otherwise provided by law, the Contractor shall not be entitled to increase the Contract Price or to receive damages because of any hindrances or delays, avoidable or unavoidable; but if any delay is caused in DCR’s opinion, the Contractor shall be entitled to an extension of time. The length of the extension shall be sufficient in DCR’s opinion for the Contractor to complete the Work. Although no delay shall increase the Contract Price, DCR may require that any change in the date by which the Contractor must complete all or any part of the Work be processed on a standard Change Order form.

Additional Specifications

1. Mowing/mulching beyond what is specifically described is not permitted.

2. Signage must be provided on all State Park roads and trails and other public roads warning the traveling public of operations.

3. The Contractor shall provide DCR with at least 48-hour notice of when they plan to end work.

4. The Contractor shall perform routine closing maintenance on permanent roads but not limited to smoothing road surfaces, remove ruts, maintain existing water diversion features to ensure they function properly and construct additional water diversion features if needed.

5. Oil-absorbent mats will be on hand in case of a fuel or hydraulic fluid spill or leak.

6. At the conclusion of the operation, the Contractor will accompany the DCR designee on a final walkthrough and evaluation of the site to ensure that all required work is completed satisfactorily.

7. The Operator shall be required to thoroughly clean all equipment before entering DCR property. Equipment will be allowed on DCR property when DCR determines that it has been cleaned and a reasonable effort has been made to remove dirt and other debris. Equipment that fails the inspection may not be unloaded onto DCR property until adequately cleaned. The Operator shall allow DCR to inspect all equipment during the regular working hours before it may be unloaded from the trailer onto DCR property. If an inspection cannot be scheduled in a timely manner, DCR may designate a location where the equipment can be left, either unloaded or still on the trailer, until the inspection can take place. If the equipment does not pass inspection, it must be removed from DCR property along with any dirt and debris that may have fallen from it. This shall be done at the contractor’s expense.

8. The contractor shall protect all known survey monuments, witness corners, reference monuments, and bearing trees against avoidable destruction, obliteration, or damage during contractor’s operations. If any known monuments, corners, or accessories are destroyed, obliterated, or damaged by contractor’s operations, contractor is required to reestablish or restore at the same location the monuments, corners, or accessories to their original status.

9. All machine operators shall have a current Massachusetts Timber Harvester License.

Task 2 – Hazard Tree Removal and Mitigation Scope of Work:

Point of contact and task manager for Task 2 will be:

1. General Provisions

a. The Contractor shall provide all labor, materials, equipment, supervision, and other services and permits required to complete the work in accordance with the specifications for Task 2 of FAC 120 Firebreak Maintenance and Hazard Tree Removal in Nickerson State Park FY27 as prepared by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (“DCR”).

b. The Contractor shall meet all provisions as outlined in OSD’s Statewide Contract FAC 120.

c. Prior to performing any work, the Contractor shall provide DCR a work schedule for all crews and personnel performing tree removal and associated contract services. Such work schedule shall include a traffic control and pedestrian safety plan as necessary for each crew working on DCR properties.

d. The Contractor shall check in with DCR Forest Health Program representative daily when working onsite.

e. Prior to the completion of all tree removal, pruning and associated work, the Contractor shall perform a site visit of those sites duly designated by DCR to ensure compliance with quality control specifications.

2. Superintendent, Skilled Labor, and Employees

a. The Contractor shall assign a suitable superintendent to this contract for its duration; and shall provide DCR with the name and contact information of the superintendent so designated by the Contractor. The Contractor hereby warrants and represents that:

i. The superintendent is duly authorized to manage the day-to-day tree cutting operations identified in this scope of service and bind the Contractor to all work associated with the timely and proper implementation of these specifications and performance standards identified in this Scope of Service.

ii. The aerial lift operators, equipment operators, tree climbers, ground crew and all others employed by the Contractor shall be licensed, skilled, experienced, and trained in the particular scope assigned to them.

iii. The Contractor shall comply with all applicable local, state and federal laws, including, without limitation, OSHA and any other regulations concerning the performance of this contract.

iv. Each employee assigned to perform work under this Scope of Services shall perform such work and otherwise engage with the public and state officials in a professional and competent manner.

v. All bidders must thoroughly acquaint themselves with these limitations and include in their pricing all necessary and specified materials, labor, equipment, and safety apparatus to complete the work as specified.

b. The superintendent shall be thoroughly knowledgeable and informed concerning every aspect of this work.

c. The superintendent shall possess a valid Massachusetts Certified Arborist or International Society of Arboriculture certification. A photocopy of certification(s) must be submitted upon request. When requested, certificates must be submitted in a timely manner. DCR reserves the right to halt work until the obligation has been met.

d. Upon request, the Contractor shall furnish DCR a copy of all resumes, licenses and credentials of all employees retained by Contractor to perform services under this Contract.

e. The Contractor shall keep accurate and complete records of all work performed under this Contract and shall make such records available to DCR for inspection.

f. The Contractor agrees to transfer any employee that DCR, by and through its DCR Monitor, has determined to engage in unprofessional conduct in contravention in subparagraph 2(a)(iv) above.

g. All bidders must thoroughly acquaint themselves with these limitations and include in their pricing all necessary and specified materials, labor, equipment, and safety apparatus to complete the work as specified.

3. Issuance of Notice to Proceed and Work Orders

a. The Contractor shall commence work under this Scope of Services within ten business days of the receipt of the certified Notice to Proceed issued by DCR and shall proceed with the prosecution of tree cutting activities in those specific areas more particularly described in the Notice to Proceed. The Work Order will list the location and extent of the work to be performed. Failure to respond in the designated time may result in holding the Contractor in breach of contract.

4. Night, Saturday, Sunday, or Holiday Work

a. The Contractor shall prosecute its work under the Notice to Proceed or any subsequently issued Work Order from Monday through Friday and for this contract during the hours of 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. The Contractor shall not perform any work on any weekend, duly recognized Holiday or non-standard hours unless the Contractor receives express written permission from DCR.

5. Weather Conditions

a. The Contractor shall be responsible to employ all means and measures to perform this work as assigned at all times during a calendar year. No work will be done when, in the opinion of DCR, the weather or conditions are unsuitable.

6. Change Orders Generally

a. No changes in the work shall be made in absence of a Change Order (or Notice to Proceed), directing the Contractor to perform such changes.

b. A request for a change in the provisions of this Contract may be submitted to DCR. The request must be made in writing and in accordance with the provisions of this Contract.

c. A Change Order may only be issued by DCR for changes in the Work within the scope of this Contract, including but not limited to, changes in: (1) the Plans and Specifications; (2) the method or manner of performance of the Work; (3) amount of furnished services; or (4) the schedule for performance of the Work.

d. The Contractor shall immediately perform any Change Order work ordered by DCR.

7. Protection of Persons and Property

a. The Contractor shall perform all work in a safe and orderly manner.

b. The Contractor shall ensure that it performs its work in such a manner to ensure no damage to property contiguous to tree cutting activities, including those public and private trees designated to remain.

c. The Contractor is, at no additional cost to the Agency, responsible for addressing and solving any such problems it encounters during removal operations.

d. The Contractor shall erect and otherwise post warning signage, and/ or other approved and mandated devices to warn persons and vehicles passing and/ or moving by all work sites.

e. DCR reserves the right to require the Contractor to provide security fence and enclosures as required by job conditions to insure protection of persons, materials, and work on the site.

f. The Contractor shall safely protect the property of all public and private concerns and all adjacent property from loss or damage because of the work and shall repair or replace any damage, injury, or loss resulting from this Contract at no additional cost to DCR or property owners.

8. Safety Regulations

a. The Contractor shall perform all work under this Scope of Services in strict accordance with all applicable OSHA and State safety regulations.

b. The Contractor shall assume the entire responsibility for the safety of employees and shall be responsible for all injury resulting from the failure thereof. All equipment must have an up to date dielectric and safety inspection as well as vehicle inspection.

9. Traffic

a. The Contractor shall perform all work covered under this Scope of Services in such a manner that allows uninterrupted traffic flow on the streets surrounding the work site. The Contractor shall provide, coordinate, and pay for all state required traffic control assignments required for work under this contract.

b. The Contractor shall perform all work covered under this Scope of Services in such a manner that maintains the safety of pedestrian and bicycle traffic on park roads, parking lots, sidewalks, and trails.

10. Utility Company Coordination

a. The Contractor must coordinate with all utility companies to relocate, remove, and/or protect all existing utilities including guy wires due to the designated removal of a marked tree, trunk, and stump as per the terms and conditions of this contract. If the Contractor’s tree removal activities require ground invasive activities, the Contractor shall notify Dig Safe.

11. Payments

a. The Contractor shall submit a final invoice, preferably electronic file, emailed to DCR for the payment of duly completed work under a duly issued Notice to Proceed or Work Order.

b. DCR reserves the right to withhold payment for one or more of the following matters:

i. The Contractor fails to perform its work in a professional manner;

ii. Any claim by any third party for any work arising out of Contractor’s performance of work under this Contract;

iii. The Contractor failed to comply, in all respects with the Wetlands Protection Regulations set forth at 310 CMR 10.06(6)(a)4.

iv. The Contractor failed to make payments in a timely manner to subcontractors or for labor, material, or equipment, and/ or unsatisfactory prosecution of the work by the Contractor.

v. The Contractor has failed to comply with the cleanup standards set forth in Paragraph 17 below.

vi. Proper back up documentation not supplied.

c. Before DCR withholds any payment to the Contractor under this Contract, DCR shall provide the Contractor written notice of its intent to withhold specifying the reasons for its actions. The Contractor shall be afforded ten (10) business days from date of issuance to cure DCR’s reasons for withholding payment.

12. Guarantees and Warrantees

a. The Contractor and its subcontractors (if applicable) shall guarantee their workmanship for one year after completion and acceptance by DCR, and shall cure, without any cost to DCR, any defect that may occur during this period.

13. Permits, Fees, and Notices

a. The Contractor shall secure and pay all permits and governmental fees, licenses, and inspections necessary for the proper execution and completion of the work which are customarily secured after the execution of a contract, and which are legally required based on the scope of work.

b. The Contractor shall not enter any private property unless Contractor is in receipt of a signed release from the property owner prior to the tree removals. The Contractor shall be responsible for providing all other notices required under this Contract and complying with all other applicable laws, rules and regulations.

c. The Contractor must obtain and provide copies of written permission that releases DCR of any financial and legal liability from homeowner prior to leaving any equipment on private property overnight.

14. Prevailing Wage Rates

a. Wage Rates must be in accordance with G. L. c. 149, §§26 and 27D the Prevailing Wage Rates as instructed in FAC120.

b. The awarding authority has a legal obligation to request a prevailing wage schedule from the Department of Labor Standards (DLS). In addition, bidders and proposers must agree to comply with the Prevailing Wage Law, as administered by the DLS. Questions regarding the Prevailing Wage Law may be answered by accessing the DLS website or by calling the DLS Prevailing Wage Program at (617) 626-6953.

15. Liens

a. DCR shall not release any Payment to the Contractor until Contractor provides DCR with a Release of Lien, on a form satisfactory of DCR, from its subcontractors, releasing all liens and encumbrances arising out of subcontractor’s performance of work under this contract. Alternatively, the Contractor may, if any subcontractor refuses to furnish a release or receipt in full, furnish a bond, satisfactory to DCR, to indemnify it against any liens.

16. Project Clean Up

a. When performing work on private or public property, the Contractor shall keep the premises free from accumulated waste materials and/ or wood and brush caused by its operation. At the completion of a workday, the Contractor shall remove its waste materials, wood and brush from and about the premises as well as its tools, equipment, machinery, and surplus materials.

b. The Contractor shall leave the premises in an orderly condition approved by DCR Forest Health and will be responsible for any additional costs associated with unfinished cleanup work. The Contractor agrees to return to each project site within 6 months of removal to ensure that it has complied, in all respects, with the Project Clean-up obligations required in this paragraph.

c. All woody material from the specified tree removal or pruning operations must be removed from the work site unless otherwise ordered by the DCR Forest Health representative.

17. Reassignment of the Contract

a. The Contractor will not be permitted to either assign the contract, or assign either legally or equitably, any moneys hereunder or its claim thereto, without DCR’s previously written consent.

18. Price/Time Increases

a. Notwithstanding any provision of this Contract to the contrary, except as otherwise provided by law, the Contractor shall not be entitled to increase the Contract Price or to receive damages because of any hindrances or delays, avoidable or unavoidable; but if any delay is caused in DCR’s opinion, the Contractor shall be entitled to an extension of time. The length of the extension shall be sufficient in DCR’s opinion for the Contractor to complete the Work. Although no delay shall increase the Contract Price, DCR may require that any change in the date by which the Contractor must complete all or any part of the Work be processed on a standard Change Order form.

19. Technical Specifications for Removal or Pruning of Trees

a. Tree Cutting

i. All marked or designated trees and downed woody material shall be completely removed. Detached branches, limbs, twigs that originated from a tree are inclusive of all removal specifications outlined in this contract. DCR Forest Health Program reserves the right to final determination of said material.

ii. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to address and solve any issues to complete the work within the designated area and price structure.

iii. Method of tree removal is at the discretion of the Contractor however, the Contractor is obligated to select the most efficient as well as safest method of removal. Under no circumstances will the tree removal method alter the price structure. DCR Forest Health reserves the right to assign removal method if DCR or its duly designated representative identifies excessive inefficiencies or safety concerns.

iv. The awarded contractor’s lawful disposal of all wood waste generated as a result of this contract must be done in accordance with all applicable law, code, statute, and regulation.

v. Chipped wood may be broadcast into areas approved by DCR Forest Health to a depth of no more than 3 inches. Chips will be spread within 100ft of the tree’s original standing location. Wood chips will not be spread in wetlands and other protected habitat areas, campsites and other recreation areas, or other restricted areas determined by DCR.

vi. All removals and restoration shall be executed with the least possible disturbance to the surrounding area. Any damage caused by the actions of the contractor to lawns, shrubs, other vegetation, driveways, pavement, street, sidewalks, buildings, lawn equipment, structures, vehicles or physical assets must be repaired to the satisfaction of the DCR and the cost shall be borne by the contractor.

vii. All tree stumps from marked trees must be cut as low as possible to the ground.

b. Minimum suggested equipment for this contract:

· Logging Truck(s), Bobcat(s), skid steer(s)

· Truck (s) with aerial bucket (65 ft. minimum height unit)

· Crane(s)– minimum specifications 140 ft. main boom length and a 26 ton minimum

· Commercial grade chipper (s) with a minimum capacity for 14” wood

· Chain saws

· Stump grinders

· Swamp mats, alturna mats

Note: All equipment must meet the current ANSI specification, as applicable, including dielectric inspections.

Pricing:

Bidders may bid on both Task 1 and Task 2 together or bid on a single Task Pricing shall be all-inclusive

The selected vendor will be responsible for the following tasks:

Task 1 – Fire Break Maintenance:

Cut and remove trees, mulch small trees, and mow brush to maintain firebreak along Ober Road Task 2 – Hazard Tree Removal and Mitigation:

Removal, pruning, or other defined mitigation action of all trees marked or identified by DCR arborists. Detailed list of trees included in the project will be covered during the site showing.

Bidder Response Requirements:

· Completion of the included Bidder Response Form (required)

· Identify all labor, equipment, and materials necessary to perform and complete all work required under the Specifications and Scope of Services

· Certified copies of each subcontractor’s insurance policies, which must meet the same insurance coverage levels as required under FAC 120

· Three references (names, telephone number, and addresses) related in scope to projects similar to the Tree Removal contract. Prior tree removal/pruning work performed in DCR State Parks will be taken into consideration during evaluation process.

Anticipated Completion of Project:

Task 1 – Firebreak Maintenance:

January 15, 2027 Task 2 – Hazard Tree Removal and Mitigation:

December 31, 2026 Evaluation Criteria:

Responses will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

Contract will be awarded based on best value to the Commonwealth and who is best suited to meet the requirements including:

price, equipment deemed most valuable to complete work, safety program, qualifications of proposed onsite staff and references and/or experience with DCR.

Omission of required documents will result in disqualification. Also, as part of the bid evaluation process, DCR reserves the right to conduct interviews with the onsite Superintendent with the final vendor candidates. DCR also reserves the right to address best and final offers with the final two or more vendor candidates.

Responses:

Responses (bids/quotes) are to be submitted to DCR electronically via the “Create Quote” function contained in Commbuys system. If you are a vendor on FAC 120 and have not registered on Commbuys, you are required to do so. Vendors should consult the vendor user guide.

Help is available from the Commbuys Help Desk at 617.720.3197.

Bid/Response Deadlines:

Site Showing: Thursday, November 12, 2026 Nickerson State Park 3488 Main Street Brewster MA, 02631

Task 1 Site Showing– Firebreak Maintenance: 9:00AM Task 2 Site Showing- Hazard Tree Removal and Mitigation 10:00AM

Meet at the first parking lot on the right after entering the Park (opposite the Contact Station). A four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended.

Questions are Due by: 4pm, Sunday, November 15, 2026 Answers to Questions will be submitted by: 4pm, Monday, November 16, 2026 RFP Responses are due by: 4pm, Tuesday, November 17, 2026 Estimated Award Date: Monday, November 30, 2026

Bid / Project Timeline

Bidder Response Form (FAC 120) Firebreak Maintenance and Hazard Tree Removal in Nickerson State Park FY27 Vendor Name: Vendor/Company Name Date: Click or tap to enter a date.

Cost:

Bidders may bid on a single task, or both tasks. DCR reserves the right to award tasks separately to each vendor.

Total all-inclusive/lump sum bid: $ Enter total bid price

Bidders must complete and return this form with their bid. Bidders may also include quotes generated using their own quoting systems; however, these shall not replace this Bidder Response Form. Bids submitted without this form will not be considered.

DCR reserves the right to evaluate all bid submissions on past similar experiences, available resources, reference checks, and costs. DCR reserves the right to award one or more contractors. Contracts will be awarded based on available funding.

I understand and agree to the terms and conditions of the requested information, and my bid reflects full execution and compliance:

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