RFP 202604072 Timber Stand Improvement_FINAL.docx

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Macwahoc Stream WMA and Rangeley WMA Timber Stand Improvemen
Solicitation number
RFP - 09A - 202604072
Issued by
Maine

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RFP 202604072 - Timber Stand Improvement Summary

This is a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by the State of Maine for timber stand improvement services at the Macwahoc Stream Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and Rangeley WMA. The project involves selective harvesting, site preparation, and forest management activities designed to improve wildlife habitat and forest health across approximately 200-300 acres at each location. Contractors are required to remove specified tree species, create wildlife openings, improve understory vegetation, and restore natural forest conditions. The RFP requests detailed proposals including equipment specifications, crew qualifications, work schedules, and environmental compliance measures. Site visits are mandatory for all bidders to assess conditions and confirm project scope. A pre-bid meeting was held to clarify requirements and answer contractor questions. Proposals must be submitted by the specified deadline, with contract award anticipated following evaluation of technical qualifications and pricing. The initial contract term is for one year with potential renewal options based on performance and funding availability.

Pricing shall be submitted on a per-acre basis or unit cost structure, with total project costs not to exceed the budgeted amount allocated by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The contract includes provisions for payment upon completion of measurable milestones and contractor-provided proof of insurance and bonding requirements. Preference may be given to contractors with demonstrated experience in wildlife habitat management and forest improvement projects in Maine. No incumbent contractor preference is indicated. Contractors must comply with all state forestry regulations, environmental protection standards, and best management practices for forest operations. Funding for this project derives from Maine's wildlife management budget and may include federal wildlife restoration funds. All work must be completed in accordance with the project specifications and environmental conditions specified in the RFP documents.

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STATE OF MAINE

Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Lands Management Program

RFP# 202604072

Macwahoc Stream WMA and Rangeley WMA Timber Stand Improvement

RFP Coordinator

NAME:
Daniel Hill
TITLE:
Deer Habitat Biologist
EMAIL:
daniel.hill@maine.gov
Bidders’ Conferences
DATE:
May 20,2026
TIME:
08:00 a.m.
LOCATION:
Macwahoc Stream WMA Access off State Route 2A, 45.707354°, -68.160167°
DATE:
May 19,2026
TIME:
08:00 a.m.
LOCATION:
Rangeley WMA Access off State Route 4, 44.968035°, -70.689429°

Submitted Questions Due Date

May 29, 2026, no later than 4:00 p.m., local time,

Proposal Submission Deadline
DATE:
June 12, 2026,

no later than 4:00 p.m., local time

TO:
Vendor Self Service System

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

PUBLIC NOTICE
3
RFP DEFINITIONS/ACRONYMS
4
PART I INTRODUCTION
5

A. PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND

B. GENERAL PROVISIONS

C. CONTRACT TERM

D. NUMBER OF AWARDS

PART II SCOPE OF SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED

A. TSI SPECIFICATIONS

B. GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

C. MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT RENTAL

PART III KEY RFP EVENTS
8

A. VENDOR SELF SERVICE SYSTEM (VSS)

B. BIDDERS’ CONFERENCE

C. QUESTIONS

D. AMENDMENTS

E. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

PART IV PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
10
PART V PROPOSAL EVALUATION AND SELECTION
12

A. EVALUATION PROCESS – GENERAL INFORMATION

B. SCORING WEIGHTS AND PROCESS

C. NEGOTIATIONS

D. SELECTION AND AWARD

E. APPEAL OF CONTRACT AWARDS

PART VI CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION AND CONDITIONS
14

A. CONTRACT DOCUMENT

B. STANDARD STATE CONTRACT PROVISIONS

PART VII RFP APPENDICES AND RELATED DOCUMENTS
16

APPENDIX A – PROPOSAL COVER PAGE

APPENDIX B – RESPONSIBLE BIDDER CERTIFICATION

APPENDIX C – QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE FORM

APPENDIX D – SUBCONTRACTORS FORM

APPENDIX E – MACWAHOC STREAM WMA COST PROPOSAL FORM

APPENDIX F – RANGELEY WMA COST PROPOSAL FORM

ATTACHMENT A- MACWAHOC STREAM TSI LOCATION MAP

ATTACHMENT B- RANGELEY WMA TSI LOCATION MAP

ATTACHMENT C - EVALUATION FORM

PUBLIC NOTICE

State of Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

RFP# 202604072

Macwahoc Stream WMA and Rangeley WMA Timber Stand Improvement

The State of Maine is seeking proposals for Timber Stand Improvement on the Macwahoc Stream Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and Rangeley WMA. The planned TSI precommercial thinning project area is 48 acres at the Macwahoc Stream WMA and 52 acres at the Rangeley WMA.

A copy of the RFP and all related documents can be obtained through Vendor Self Service (VSS): https://mevss.hostams.com/PRDVSS1X1/AltSelfService

A Bidders’ Conference will be held on May 19, 2026, at 08:00 a.m.at the following location: Rangeley WMA Access off State Route 4, 44.968035°, -70.689429°

A Bidders’ Conference will be held on May 20, 2026, at 08:00 a.m.at the following location: Macwahoc Stream WMA Access off State Route 2A, 45.707354°, -68.160167°

Proposals must be submitted to the Office of State Procurement Services, via Vendor Self Service (VSS). Proposal submissions must be received no later than 4:00 p.m., local time, on June 12, 2026. Proposals will be opened the following business day.

RFP TERMS/ACRONYMS with DEFINITIONS

The following terms and acronyms, as referenced in the RFP, have the meanings indicated below:

Term/Acronym
Definition
BMP
Best Management Practices
BPL
Bureau of Parks and Lands
Contract Administrator
Daniel Hill
Department
Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
DWA
Deer Wintering Area
PCT
Pre-commercial Thinning
RFP
Request for Proposals
State
State of Maine
TSI
Timber Stand Improvement
Vendor Self Service System (VSS)
The Vendor Self Service System (VSS) web portal provides vendors with a single-entry point to register, identify the commodities/services that their company provides, look for business opportunities, and respond to solicitations.
WMA
Wildlife Management Area

State of Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Lands Management Program

RFP# 202604072

Macwahoc Stream WMA and Rangeley WMA Timber Stand Improvement

PART I INTRODUCTION

A. Purpose and Background

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (Department) is seeking proposals for a Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) practice known as Pre-Commercial Thinning (PCT) at the Macwahoc Stream Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in the unorganized towns of North Yarmouth Academy Grant TWP and Upper Molunkus TWP and at the Rangeley WMA in the organized town of Rangeley as defined in this Request for Proposals (RFP) document. This document provides instructions for submitting proposals, the procedure and criteria by which the awarded Bidder will be selected, and the contractual terms which will govern the relationship between the State of Maine (State) and the awarded Bidder.

Due to current access challenges at the Macwahoc Stream WMA the Department may not be able to develop a contract for that project. We would still like to receive bids for Macwahoc Stream in the event the access issue is resolved. This challenge will not affect the Rangeley WMA project.

The Lands Management Program conducts timber harvest operations to maintain or create the highest quality upland wildlife habitats possible. This is accomplished by employing management techniques to enhance or modify habitat types to benefit a diversity of wildlife, or for a specific or "featured" species. DWA’s are integral habitats to this featured species during the wintering period sheltering the white-tailed deer from the harsh winter conditions that can persist in northern, eastern, and western Maine.

Conducting a TSI practice such as PCT controls stand species composition while increasing growth rates on desired trees by reducing competition from less desirable trees. This practice will also provide a food source for deer in proximity to developing habitat. PCT also improves habitat for a diversity of other wildlife species including birds and mammals. This practice has also been implemented by Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) to enhance the timber resource.

B. General Provisions

1. From the time the RFP is issued until award notification is made, all contact with the State regarding the RFP must be made through the RFP Coordinator. No other person/ State employee is empowered to make binding statements regarding the RFP. Violation of this provision may lead to disqualification from the bidding process, at the State’s discretion.

2. Issuance of the RFP does not commit the Department to issue an award or to pay expenses incurred by a Bidder in the preparation of a response to the RFP. This includes attendance at personal interviews or other meetings and software or system demonstrations, where applicable.

3. All proposals must adhere to the instructions and format requirements outlined in the RFP and all written supplements and amendments (such as the Summary of Questions and Answers), issued by the Department. Proposals must follow the format and respond to all questions and instructions specified below in the “Proposal Submission Requirements” section of the RFP.

4. Bidders will take careful note that in evaluating a proposal submitted in response to the RFP, the Department will consider materials provided in the proposal, information obtained through interviews/presentations (if any), and internal Departmental information of previous contract history with the Bidder (if any). The Department also reserves the right to consider other reliable references and publicly available information in evaluating a Bidder’s experience and capabilities.

5. The proposal must be signed by a person authorized to legally bind the Bidder and must contain a statement that the proposal and the pricing contained therein will remain valid and binding for a period of 180 days from the date and time of the bid opening.

6. The RFP and the awarded Bidder’s proposal, including all appendices or attachments, will be the basis for the final contract, as determined by the Department.

7. Following announcement of an award decision, all records and documents regarding this RFP, including bid submissions, will be public records, available for public inspection pursuant to 5 M.R.S. §1825 B (6 &15) and the State of Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) (1 M.R.S. § 401 et seq.). State contracts and information related to contracts, including all records, documents, supporting documents, and bid submissions, are public records unless otherwise excepted by statute (Id).

8. Subject to the above and pursuant to applicable law, in the event that a Bidder believes any information that it submits in response to this RFP is confidential, it must mark that information accordingly, and include citation to legal authority in support of the Bidder’s claim of confidentiality. In the event that the Department receives a FOAA request that includes submissions marked as confidential, the Department shall evaluate the information and any legal authority from the Bidder to determine whether the information is an exception to FOAA’s definition of public record. If the Department determines to release information that a Bidder has marked confidential, it shall provide advance notice to the Bidder to allow for them to seek legal relief.

9. The Department, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to recognize and waive minor informalities and irregularities found in proposals received in response to the RFP.

10. If awarded a contract resulting from this RFP, vendors shall be required to disclose, in writing and in accordance with applicable Maine law, any actual or potential conflicts of interest. Such disclosure must include any financial, professional, or personal relationships that could give rise to a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest. Failure to disclose a known conflict or appearance of conflict may result in disqualification, contract termination, or other remedies as provided by law.

11. All applicable laws, whether or not herein contained, are included by this reference. It is the Bidder’s responsibility to determine the applicability and requirements of any such laws and to abide by them.

C. Contract Term

The Department is seeking cost-efficient proposals to provide services, as defined in this RFP, for the anticipated contract period defined in the table below. The dates below are estimated and may be adjusted, as necessary, in order to comply with all procedural requirements associated with the RFP and the contracting process. The actual contract start date will be established by a completed and approved contract.

Contract Renewal: Following the initial term of the contract, the Department may opt to renew the contract for renewal periods, as shown in the table below, and subject to continued availability of funding and satisfactory performance.

The term of the anticipated contract, resulting from the RFP, is defined as follows:

Period
Start Date
End Date
Initial Period of Performance
July 6, 2026
September 30,2026

D. Number of Awards

The Department anticipates making up to two (2) awards as a result of this RFP process.

The awards will be made by WMA. For example: One award will be made for Macwahoc Stream and one award will be made for Rangeley WMA. It is possible that one bidder will be awarded both projects.

PART II SCOPE OF SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED

A. TSI Specifications

1. Block boundaries will be identified by the Department using colored flagging.

2. Block acreages will be determined by the Department using a GPS type device.

3. All trees must be cut with a brush saw or other handheld cutting mechanism.

4. No trees 4” and over butt diameter will be cut during this activity. Treat those stems as invisible

5. Target residual Trees Per Acre (TPA) is 725.

6. Crop trees must be no closer than 6’ apart.

7. Crop trees to be chosen based on stems with good form and vigor using the following species hierarchy:

a. Hemlock

b. Spruce

c. Fir

d. Ash

e. Birch

f. Aspen

g. Maple

h. Tamarack

i. Cedar and white pine are invisible

8. Cut trees will be cut below the lowest live limb.

9. Stump height must not exceed 6”.

10. Cut trees must be left horizontal and in no case will slash height exceed 4’.

11. Crop trees bent or held down by felled trees must be promptly released.

12. No felled trees are to be left in road ditches or on roads or trails.

13. No felled trees are to be left within 25 feet of a property line.

14. Quality plots taken by the Department will be 1/100 acre plots.

15. A minimum of 1 quality plot per 5 acres will be done by IFW.

The awarded Bidder must complete all operations on a given block before beginning in another, unless otherwise agreed to by IFW.

B. General Specifications

1. Macwahoc Stream WMA TSI consists of 48 acres and Rangeley WMA consists of 52 acres. Refer to Attachments A and B for TSI maps.,

2. The project will start no sooner than July 15, 2026, and shall be completed by September 30, 2026. Cutting of trees will not commence until execution of the contract has been completed, submission of required bonds (if needed), and at least 3 days notification has been given to Department. Also, the Department will be notified within 2 days of completing the project and if work is to cease for more than 2 weeks.

3. The contract will be terminated if a quality score of 90 or higher is not maintained on weekly quality inspections Evaluation Form (Attachment C).

4. The awarded Bidder must provide all equipment needed to complete the project including personal protective equipment for all employees.

5. The Awarded Bidder must remove all trash generated by the awarded Bidder and their employees.

6. Sub-contracting will not be allowed unless prior approval has been granted by the Department.

7. All brush saws and mechanical cutting tools will have functioning spark arrestors.

8. Weekly quality reviews will be exercised by the Department to evaluate awarded Bidder’s performance and BMP conformance as defined by the Maine Forest Service “Best Management Practices for Forestry: Protecting Maine’s Water Quality - Third Edition” can be found at: https://digitalmaine.com/for_docs/53/

9. Work will only be performed when the Department is notified.

10. Any work that is not authorized will not be paid for.

11. The Department will have the right to temporarily stop any and all activities under the resulting agreement in the event it determines such action to be necessary to protect roads, soils, water, growth or other resources. In such case, the Department will not be liable for any damage, lost profits or consequential damage that the awarded Bidder may incur.

12. Safety – awarded Bidder will follow all Federal OSHA requirements, found at https://www.osha.gov/dcsp/osp/stateprogs/maine.html

PART III KEY RFP EVENTS

A. Vendor Self Service System (VSS)

The Office of State Procurement Services Vendor Self Service System website is found at the link below: https://www.maine.gov/dafs/bbm/procurementservices/vendors/vendor-self-service-system A copy of the RFP and all associated documents will be published in VSS.

Only documents published in VSS will be considered binding.

Any interested party may view open solicitations in VSS using the Public Access feature.

Vendors must have an active User ID and password in VSS to submit questions and respond to solicitations, including this RFP.

Vendor registration instructions and User Guide may be found at the link above, which include steps for searching for an existing account/User ID, or registering for a new account/User ID.

Vendors interested in responding to a solicitation are encouraged to obtain a User ID and password for VSS as soon as possible.

Vendors must have an active Vendor Code (VC or VS) to contract with the department.

B. Bidders’ Conference

The Department will sponsor a Bidders’ Conference concerning the RFP beginning at the date, time and location shown on the RFP cover page. The purpose of the Bidders’ Conference is to answer and/or field questions, clarify for potential Bidders any aspect of the RFP requirements that may be necessary and provide supplemental information to assist potential Bidders in submitting responses to the RFP. Although attendance at the Bidders’ Conference is not mandatory, it is strongly encouraged that interested Bidders attend.

C. Questions

1. General Instructions: It is the responsibility of all Bidders and other interested parties to examine the entire RFP and to seek clarification, in writing, if they do not understand any information or instructions.

a. Questions must be submitted in VSS as soon as possible but no later than the date and time published in VSS.

b. Questions should be clearly stated and reference the applicable section and/or page number of the RFP.

c. The Department assumes no liability for assuring accurate/complete/on time transmission and receipt.

2. Question & Answer Summary: Responses to all questions will be compiled in writing and published in VSS no later than seven (7) calendar days prior to the Proposal Submission Deadline. It is the responsibility of all interested parties to go to VSS to obtain a copy of the Question & Answer Summary. Only those answers issued in writing in VSS will be considered binding.

D. Amendments

All amendments released in regard to the RFP will be published in VSS. It is the responsibility of all interested parties to go to VSS to obtain amendments. Only those amendments published in VSS are considered binding.

E. Proposal Submission

1. Proposals Due

a. Proposal submissions must be received no later than the Proposal Submission Deadline (closing date) published in VSS.

b. Any proposal submissions or any additional or revised proposal files received after the Proposal Submission Deadline will be rejected without exception.

2. Delivery Instructions

a. Proposal submissions must be submitted to the Office of State Procurement Services via VSS.

b. Only proposal submissions received via VSS will be considered. The Department assumes no liability for assuring accurate/complete receipt.

c. Submissions containing links to file sharing sites or online file repositories will not be accepted as submissions. Only proposal submissions that have the actual requested files attached will be accepted.

d. Encrypted submissions received which require opening attachments and logging into a proprietary system will not be accepted. Bidders should work with their Information Technology team to ensure that the proposal submission will not be encrypted due to any security settings.

e. File size limits are 15MB per file. Bidders may separate their submissions into multiple files, as necessary, due to file size concerns.

3. Submission Format:

a. Bidders must submit multiple files, with each file named and containing the required information as defined below.

File 1 [Bidder’s Name] – Preliminary Information PDF format preferred, and must include:

· Appendix A (Proposal Cover Page)

· Appendix B (Responsible Bidder Certification)

File 2 [Bidder’s Name] – Organization Qualifications and Experience PDF format preferred, and must include:

· Appendix C (Organization Qualifications and Experience Form)

· Appendix D (Subcontractors Form)

· And all required information and attachments stated in PART IV, Section II.

File 3 [Bidder’s Name] – Cost Proposal PDF format preferred, and must include one or both:

· Appendix E (Macwahoc Stream WMA Cost Proposal Form)

· Appendix F (Rangeley WMA Cost Proposal Form)

PART IV PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

This section contains instructions for Bidders to use in preparing their proposals. The Department seeks detailed yet succinct responses that demonstrate the Bidder’s qualifications, experience, and ability to perform the requirements specified throughout the RFP.

Bidders’ proposals must follow the outline used below, including the numbering, section, and sub-section headings. Failure to use the outline specified in PART IV, or failure to respond to all questions and instructions throughout the RFP, may result in the proposal being disqualified as non-responsive or receiving a reduced score. The Department, and its evaluation team, has sole discretion to determine whether a variance from the RFP specifications will result either in disqualification or reduction in scoring of a proposal. Rephrasing of the content provided in the RFP will, at best, be considered minimally responsive.

Bidders are not to provide additional attachments beyond those specified in the RFP for the purpose of extending their response. Additional materials not requested will not be considered part of the proposal and will not be evaluated. Bidders must include any forms provided in the submission package or reproduce those forms as closely as possible. All information must be presented in the same order and format as described in the RFP.

Proposal Format and Contents

Section I Preliminary Information (File #1)

1. Proposal Cover Page Bidders must complete Appendix A (Proposal Cover Page). It is critical that the cover page show the specific information requested, including Bidder address(es) and other details listed. The Proposal Cover Page must be dated and signed by a person authorized to enter into contracts on behalf of the Bidder.

2. Responsible Bidder Certification Bidders must complete Appendix B (Responsible Bidder Certification). The Responsible Bidder Certification must be dated and signed by a person authorized to enter into contracts on behalf of the Bidder.

Section II Organization Qualifications and Experience (File #2)

1. Overview of the Organization Bidders must complete Appendix C (Qualifications and Experience Form) describing their qualifications and skills to provide the requested services in the RFP. Bidders must include three (3) examples of projects which demonstrate their experience and expertise in performing these services, as well as highlighting the Bidder’s stated qualifications and skills.

2. Subcontractors Bidders must complete Appendix D (Subcontractors Form) to provide a list that specifies the name, address, phone number, contact person, and a brief description of organizational capacity and qualifications for any subcontractors to be used. If no subcontractors will be used, indicate as such on the form.

3. Litigation Bidders must attach a list of all current litigation in which the Bidder is named and a list of all closed cases that have closed within the past five (5) years in which the Bidder paid the claimant either as part of a settlement or by decree. For each, list the entity bringing suit, the complaint, the accusation, amount, and outcome.

4. Certificate of Insurance Bidders must provide a certificate of insurance on a standard ACORD form (or the equivalent) evidencing the Bidder’s general liability, professional liability and any other relevant liability insurance policies that might be associated with the proposed services.

Section III Cost Proposal (File #4)

1. Cost Proposal Form Bidders must complete both Appendix E and Appendix F (Cost Proposal Forms) if bidding on both projects, or only the appropriate Cost Proposal Form if bidding on only one project.

2. General Instructions

a. The cost proposal must include the costs necessary for the Bidder to fully comply with the contract terms, conditions, and RFP requirements.

b. No costs related to the preparation of the proposal for the RFP, or to the negotiation of the contract with the Department, may be included in the proposal. Only costs to be incurred after the contract effective date that are specifically related to the implementation or operation of contracted services may be included.

PART V PROPOSAL EVALUATION AND SELECTION

Evaluation of the submitted proposals will be accomplished as follows:

A. Evaluation Process – General Information

1. An evaluation team, composed of qualified reviewers, will judge the merits of the proposals received in accordance with the criteria defined in the RFP.

2. Officials responsible for making decisions on the award selection will ensure that the selection process accords equal opportunity and appropriate consideration to all who are capable of meeting the specifications. The goals of the evaluation process are to ensure fairness and objectivity in review of the proposals and to ensure that the contract is awarded to the Bidder whose proposal provides the best value to the State of Maine.

3. The Department reserves the right to communicate and/or schedule interviews/presentations with Bidders, if needed, to obtain clarification of information contained in the proposals received. The Department may revise the scores assigned in the initial evaluation to reflect those communications and/or interviews/presentations.

4. Changes to proposals, including updating or adding information, will not be permitted during any portion of the evaluation process. Therefore, Bidders must submit proposals that present their rates and other requested information as clearly and completely as possible.

B. Scoring Weights and Process

1. Scoring Weights: Proposal scores will be based on a 100-point scale and will measure the degree to which each proposal meets the following criteria. The proposal materials that will be evaluated under each section below are identified in Part IV of the RFP.

Section I.
Preliminary Information
No Points
Section II.
Organization Qualifications and Experience
25
Section III.
Cost Proposal
75
Total
100

2. Scoring Process: For proposals that demonstrate meeting the eligibility requirements in Section I, if applicable, the evaluation team will use a consensus approach to evaluate and score Section II above. Members of the evaluation team will not score those sections individually but, instead, will arrive at a consensus as to assignment of points for each of those sections. Section III, the Cost Proposal, will be scored as described below.

3. Scoring the Cost Proposal: The total cost proposed for conducting all the functions specified in the RFP will be assigned a score according to a mathematical formula. The lowest bid will be awarded 75 points. Proposals with higher bid values will be awarded proportionately fewer points calculated in comparison with the lowest bid.

The scoring formula is:

(Lowest submitted cost proposal / Cost of proposal being scored) x 75 = pro-rated score

No Best and Final Offers: The State of Maine will not seek or accept a best and final offer (BAFO) from any Bidder in this procurement process. All Bidders are expected to provide their best value pricing with the submission of their proposal.

C. Negotiations

1. The Department reserves the right to negotiate with the awarded Bidder(s) to finalize a contract. Such negotiations may not significantly vary the content, nature, or requirements of the proposal or the Department’s Request for Proposal to an extent that may affect the price of goods or services requested.

2. The Department reserves the right to terminate contract negotiations with an awarded Bidder who submits a proposed contract significantly different from the proposal they submitted in response to the advertised RFP.

3. In the event that an acceptable contract cannot be negotiated with the highest ranked Bidder, the Department may withdraw its award and negotiate with the next-highest ranked Bidder, and so on, until an acceptable contract has been finalized. Alternatively, the Department may cancel the RFP, at its sole discretion.

D. Selection and Award

1. The final decision regarding the award of the contract will be made by representatives of the Department subject to approval by the State Procurement Review Committee.

2. Notification of conditional award selection or non-selection will be made in writing by the Department.

3. Issuance of the RFP in no way constitutes a commitment by the State of Maine to award a contract, to pay costs incurred in the preparation of a response to the RFP, or to pay costs incurred in procuring or contracting for services, supplies, physical space, personnel or any other costs incurred by the Bidder.

4. The Department reserves the right to reject any and all proposals or to make multiple awards.

E. Appeal of Contract Awards

Any person aggrieved by the award decision that results from the RFP may appeal the decision to the Director of the Bureau of General Services in the manner prescribed in 5 M.R.S.A. § 1825-E and 18-554 Code of Maine Rules Chapter 120. The appeal must be in writing and filed with the Director of the Bureau of General Services, 9 State House Station, Augusta, Maine, 04333-0009 within fifteen (15) calendar days of receipt of notification of conditional contract award.

PART VI CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION AND CONDITIONS

A. Contract Document

1. The awarded Bidder will be required to execute a State of Maine Service Contract with appropriate riders as determined by the issuing department.

All exceptions will be negotiated between the awarded Bidder(s) and the State. The State will not accept any proposed exceptions as part of this RFP process. The State is not obligated to accept, negotiate, or compromise of any proposed exceptions.

The complete set of standard State of Maine Service Contract documents, along with other forms and contract documents commonly used by the State, may be found on the Office of State Procurement Services’ website at the following link: Office of State Procurement Services Forms Page

2. Allocation of funds is final upon successful negotiation and execution of the contract, subject to the review and approval of the State Procurement Review Committee. Contracts are not considered fully executed and valid until approved by the State Procurement Review Committee and funds are encumbered. No contract will be approved based on an RFP which has an effective date less than fourteen (14) calendar days after award notification to Bidders. (Referenced in the regulations of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Chapter 110, § 3(B)(i).)

This provision means that a contract cannot be effective until at least fourteen (14) calendar days after award notification.

3. The State recognizes that the actual contract effective date depends upon completion of the RFP process, date of formal award notification, length of contract negotiation, and preparation and approval by the State Procurement Review Committee. Any appeals to the Department’s award decision(s) may further postpone the actual contract effective date, depending upon the outcome. The contract effective date listed in the RFP may need to be adjusted, if necessary, to comply with mandated requirements.

4. In providing services and performing under the contract, the awarded Bidder must act as an independent contractor and not as an agent of the State of Maine.

B. Standard State Contract Provisions

1. Contract Administration Following the award, a Contract Administrator from the Department will be appointed to assist with the development and administration of the contract and to act as administrator during the entire contract period. Department staff will be available after the award to consult with the awarded Bidder in the finalization of the contract.

2. Payments and Other Provisions The State anticipates paying the awarded Bidder on the basis of net 30 payment terms, upon the receipt of an accurate and acceptable invoice.

a. Payment for TSI will be made at the contract unit price per acre. Completed acreage will be measured using a GPS.

b. Payments will be made upon satisfactory completion of thinning in each block on a per acre basis.

c. Payments will be based on two density ranges. Density range will be determined before working in each block by IF&W.

d. Invoice(s) shall be submitted on company letterhead with a unique invoice number. An invoice will be considered accurate and acceptable if it contains a reference to the State of Maine contract number, contains accurate pricing information relating to the contract, and provides any required supporting documents.

e. Mobilization to the worksite will be at the contractor’s expense.

f. An invoice will be considered accurate and acceptable if it contains a reference to the State of Maine contract number, contains correct pricing information relative to the contract, and provides any required supporting documents, as applicable, and any other specific and agreed-upon requirements listed within the contract that results from the RFP.

PART VII LIST OF RFP APPENDICES AND RELATED DOCUMENTS

Appendix A – PROPOSAL COVER PAGE

Appendix B – RESPONSIBLE BIDDER CERTIFICATION

Appendix C – QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE FORM

Appendix D – SUBCONTRACTORS FORM

Appendix E – MACWAHOC STREAM WMA TSI COST PROPOSAL FORM

Appendix F – RANGELEY WMA TSI COST PROPOSAL FORM

Attachment A – MACWAHOC STREAM TSI LOCATION MAP

Attachment B – RANGELEY WMA TSI LOCATION MAP

Attachment C – EVALUATION FORM

APPENDIX A

Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Lands Management Program

PROPOSAL COVER PAGE

RFP# 202604072

Bidder Name:

Proposed Target Area (Location) Select only one (1) Location per proposal submission

Locations
Area
☐ Location 1
Macwahoc Stream WMA
☐ Location 2
Rangeley WMA

Chief Executive - Name/Title:

Tel:

E-mail:

Headquarters Street Address:

Headquarters City/State/Zip:

(Provide information requested below if different from above)

Lead Point of Contact for Proposal - Name/Title:

Tel:

E-mail:

Headquarters Street Address:

Headquarters City/State/Zip:

· This proposal and the pricing structure contained herein will remain firm for a period of 180 days from the date and time of the bid opening.

· No personnel currently employed by the Department participated, either directly or indirectly, in any activities relating to the preparation of the Bidder’s proposal.

· No attempt has been made, or will be made, by the Bidder to induce any other person or firm to submit or not to submit a proposal.

· The above-named organization is the legal entity entering into the resulting contract with the Department if they are awarded the contract.

· The undersigned is authorized to enter contractual obligations on behalf of the above-named organization.

To the best of my knowledge, all information provided in the enclosed proposal, both programmatic and financial, is complete and accurate at the time of submission.

Name (Print):

Title:

Authorized Signature:

Date:

APPENDIX B

Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Lands Management Program

RESPONSIBLE BIDDER CERTIFICATION

RFP# 202604072

Bidder Name:

By signing this document, I certify to the best of my knowledge and belief that the aforementioned organization, its principals and any subcontractors named in this proposal:

a. Are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, and declared ineligible or voluntarily excluded from bidding or working on contracts issued by any governmental agency.

b. Have not within three years of submitting the proposal for this contract been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against them for:

i. Fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a federal, state, or local government transaction or contract.

ii. Violating Federal or State antitrust statutes or committing embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, or receiving stolen property.

c. Are not presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a governmental entity (Federal, State or Local) with commission of any of the offenses enumerated in paragraph (b) of this certification.

d. Have not within a three (3) year period preceding this proposal had one or more federal, state, or local government transactions terminated for cause or default.

e. Have not entered into a prior understanding, agreement, or connection with any corporation, firm, or person submitting a response for the same materials, supplies, equipment, or services and this proposal is in all respects fair and without collusion or fraud. The above-mentioned entities understand and agree that collusive bidding is a violation of state and federal law and can result in fines, prison sentences, and civil damage awards.

f. Is not a foreign adversary business entity (https://www.maine.gov/oit/prohibited-technologies).

g. Is not on the list of prohibited companies (https://www.maine.gov/oit/prohibited-technologies) or does not obtain or purchase any information or communications technology or services included on the list of prohibited information and communications technology and services https://www.maine.gov/oit/prohibited-technologies (Title 5 §2030-B).

Name (Print):

Title:

Authorized Signature:

Date:

APPENDIX C

Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Lands Management Program QUALIFICATIONS and EXPERIENCE FORM

RFP# 202604072

Bidder Name:

Present a brief statement of qualifications. Describe the history of the Bidder’s organization, especially regarding skills pertinent to the specific work required by the RFP and any special or unique characteristics of the organization which would make it especially qualified to perform the required work activities. The Bidder may expand this form and use additional pages to provide this information.

Provide a description of projects the Bidder performed which occurred within the past five (5) years and reflect experience and expertise needed in performing the functions described in Part II – Scope of Services to be Provided of the RFP. The Bidder may expand this form and use additional pages to provide this information.

If the Bidder has not provided similar services, note this, and describe experience with projects that highlight the Bidder’s general capabilities.

Project One

Client Name:

Client Contact Person:

Telephone:

E-Mail:

Project Start/End Dates:

Brief Description of Project

Project Two

Client Name:

Client Contact Person:

Telephone:

E-Mail:

Project Start/End Dates:

Brief Description of Project

Project Three

Client Name:

Client Contact Person:

Telephone:

E-Mail:

Project Start/End Dates:

Brief Description of Project

APPENDIX D

Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Lands Management Program

SUBCONTRACTORS FORM

RFP# 202604072

Bidder Name:

Subcontractors If subcontractors are to be used, Bidders must use the tables below to describe the name, address, phone number, contact person, and a brief description of the subcontractors’ organizational capacity and qualifications.

Subcontractor 1

Subcontractor Name:

Contact Person:

Telephone:

E-Mail:

Brief Description of Anticipated Role and Qualifications

Subcontractor 2

Subcontractor Name:

Contact Person:

Telephone:

E-Mail:

Brief Description of Anticipated Role and Qualifications

Subcontractor 3

Subcontractor Name:

Contact Person:

Telephone:

E-Mail:

Brief Description of Anticipated Role and Qualifications

APPENDIX E

Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

COST PROPOSAL FORM

RFP# 202604072

Macwahoc Stream WMA Timber Stand Improvement

Bidder Name:

Proposed Cost:
$
Item #
Approximate Quantities

(Acres)

Description
Unit Prices Bid per Acre

(In numbers - Example: $10.50/Acre) Pay Item Total (Unit Price x Approximate Quantities)

1
35
Low Density Thinning

<6,000 TPA

(Quantity in Acres)

2
13
Medium Density Thinning

6,001-12,000 TPA

Total
$

TOTAL: (Sum of ‘Pay Item Total’ Column in Words)

The sum of the “Pay Item Total” column will be used in the mathematical formula to score the cost proposal, as described in Part V, B, 3 of the RFP.

APPENDIX F

State of Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

COST PROPOSAL FORM

RFP# 202604072

Rangeley WMA Timber Stand Improvement

Bidder Name:

Proposed Cost:
$
Item #
Approximate Quantities

(Acres)

Description
Unit Prices Bid per Acre

(In numbers - Example: $10.50/Acre) Pay Item Total (Unit Price x Approximate Quantities)

1
12
Low Density Thinning

<6,000 TPA

2
40
Medium Density Thinning

6,001-12,000 TPA

Total
$

TOTAL: (Sum of ‘Pay Item Total’ Column in Words)

The sum of the “Pay Item Total” column will be used in the mathematical formula to score the cost proposal, as described in Part V, B, 3 of the RFP.

ATTACHMENT A- MACWAHOC STREAM TSI LOCATION MAP

ATTACHMENT B- RANGELEY WMA TSI LOCATION MAP

Attachment C-Evaluation Form Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Timber Stand Improvement Evaluation Report

Interim ____ Final ____ Period __________________ to ___________________ Permittee _____________________________________ Subcontractor _________________________________ WMA______________________________ Compartment ______________________________ Stand Type(s) Inspected _______________ 1/100 Acre Plot #’s _______________________________ Crew Name(s) / # _________________________________________________________________________________

Scoring: Points will be subtracted from 100 to determine evaluation score

CriteriaGuidelines
1. Density (-5pts)____2 trees above or 1 tree below target density (725 TPA)
2. Crop tree selection (-5pts)____ Species hierarchy not followed
3. Crop tree damage (-5pts)____More than one crop tree damaged
4. Spacing (-2pts)____Remaining crop trees on average 7 feet apart
5. Live branches (-2pts)____Less than 3 stumps with live branches
6. Stump height (-1)____Less than 1 stump above 6 inches
11. Oil/Fuel spill assessment (-5pts)____No Spill kits on hand, poor clean-up, improper disposal
12. Litter (-5pts)____ Garbage
13. Safety practices (-5 pts)____ Improper PPE, radio/phone communication, equipment

14. Compliance w /Laws/Regs/BMPs (-5pts) ____ Violation of Contract, LUPC, MFS, DEP

REMARKS: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Evaluation Score _______

Evaluator ____________________________ Contractor ____________________________ Signature Signature

State of Maine RFP# 202604072 1 Rev. 11/10/2025 – DAFS/Office of State Procurement Services image1.jpeg image2.png image3.png

File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .