SGL 252 Invasive Mowing Specification 7-2025 (2).docx

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS: SGL 252 Invasive Shrub Mowing 7-2025

I. SCOPE OF WORK:

The Pennsylvania Game Commission, Northcentral Region, requires brush cutting services on 104 acres. Services shall include, but not be limited to, the furnishing of all labor, superintendence, tools and equipment for brush cutting as per attached specifications. All Purchase Orders require the contractor to provide the equipment, labor, insurance, and all miscellaneous expenses to complete the operation.

Any questions concerning the technical aspects of this bid should be directed to Wildlife Habitat Group Manager Matthew w Wall 570-398-4744, (physical address listed below). Questions concerning the request for quote, the purchase order(s) or bidding questions should be directed to Bobbi Mercer bmercer@state.pa.us at 717-787-6594

Matthew w Wall Wildlife Habitat Group Manager(WHGM) PGC Northcentral Region 1566 Route 44 Hwy, P.O. Box 5038 Jersey Shore, PA 17740-5038

570.398.4744 (phone)

570.398.1632 (fax)

II. CONTRACT TASKS:

A. Project Location(s):

Within State Game Lands No. 252, Gregg Township, Union County. Approximately 4 miles west of Allenwood PA on Route 44.

Estimated ~104 acres of invasive shrub cutting to include bush honeysuckle, multiflora rose, autumn olive and privet. All stems of invasive shrub species are to be cut to ground level. Work must be completed with a low ground pressure tracked machine due to sensitive soils. Brush cutting by hand will be necessary on areas not accessible by machine.

B. Contractor shall comply with Attachment 1, Brush Cutting Specifications.

III. SITE INSPECTION AND ASSISTANCE:

An optional site inspection tour will be held at 10:00 am on February 3, 2025, Tour will meet at the Game Commission building 2495 Alvira Rd. Allenwood, PA 17810.

NOTE: Notification to the WHGM is required if you intent to participate in the February 3, 2025 inspection meeting, at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.

Additional site inspections are the responsibility of the Bidder.

IV. CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS:

A. All work must be completed by the termination date: August 15, 2025.

B. No contract extensions will be approved without acceptable justification.

C. The contractor agrees to comply with all attachments.

D. As a further guarantee of faithful performance of the conditions set forth in this Contract, the Successful bidder hereby agrees to furnish the Commission with Cashiers or Treasurers Check, Letter of Credit, or Insurance Bond payable to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, in the amount of $3,000.00.

E. Failure to comply with any of the terms or conditions of the Contract may result in cancellation of the agreement and claim may be made against the surety or the security for all or part of the damages sustained by such noncompliance.

F. Any extension of time under the Contract, or forbearance of cancellation and claim against the surety will not result in a release of the surety or the principal from their obligations under the Contract and the surety.

V. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS:

A. The contractor will provide Workmen’s Compensation insurance sufficient to cover all the employees conducting contract work to fulfill this contract.

B. Comprehensive General Liability Insurance, including bodily injury and property damage insurance, to protect the Commonwealth and the contractor from claims arising out of the performance of the contract. The amount of Bodily Injury Insurance shall not be less than $300,000.00 for injury to or death of persons per occurrence. The amount of Property Damage Insurance shall not be less than $300,000.00 per occurrence.

C. Such policies shall name the Commonwealth as an additional insured. Prior to the commencement of work under this contract, the contractor must provide the Commonwealth with current Certificates of Insurance. These Certificates shall contain a provision that coverage afforded under the policy shall not be canceled or changed until at least thirty (30) days prior written notice has been given to the Commonwealth.

D. HOLD HARMLESS:

The contractor shall be responsible for and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Commonwealth from and against damages to property or injuries (including death) to any persons and other losses, damages, expenses, claims, demands, suits, and actions by any party against the Commonwealth in connection with the work performed by the contractor.

VI. DAMAGE TO COMMONWEALTH PROPERTY:

The Contractor shall be responsible for any damage to Commonwealth property resulting from the improper use of equipment for this habitat project. The Contractor will be given one (1) written warning that damage is becoming excessive and if the action continues damages will be assessed.

A. TIMBER DAMAGES - When, in the opinion of the WHGM, damage to the residual stand becomes excessive the Contractor shall pay the Commission a fair base current value determined by the Regional Forester per unit of volume. If this value for damage due to Contractor’s carelessness or negligence is less than $25.00 per tree then a minimum charge of $25.00 per tree will be made whether the tree is commercial, non-commercial, merchantable or non-merchantable.

B. COMMISSION FACILITIES - Contractor shall immediately repair, in a manner that meets with the approval of the WHGM, any damage to Game Land roads and other facilities, including access roads, resulting from their use for this operation, general wear and tear excepted. WHGM may notify the Contractor in writing to temporarily discontinue any of the above whenever, in their opinion, such action is necessary to prevent serious damage.

VII. BID AWARD:

Bids must be received by February 17, 2025 by 2:00 pm. Bids are submitted through the electronic vendor system (information below).

The bid shall be submitted on a dollar per acre basis. The Operator shall complete the electronic invitation for the bid to be found at www.pasupplierportal.state.pa.us, for the bid.

Bids will be publicly opened on February 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM., at the Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797. Failure to sign the IFB will be reason for rejection of the bid and bids received after the due date or due time will not be accepted.

The per acre price shall include the cost of labor, insurance, equipment and all miscellaneous expenses necessary for the completion of the tasks. Price bid shall be in dollar and cents only.

The quantities herein are only estimates and may increase or decrease dependent upon the needs of the Commission. Operator shall be paid at the unit price bid for actual services performed.

The Commission reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to choose the bid that, in its sole opinion; best meets the needs of this project.

ALL VENDORS WHO CONDUCT BUSINESS WITH THE PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION MUST HAVE A VENDOR NUMBER ASSIGNED TO THEM IN ORDER TO RECEIVE PAYMENT FROM THE COMMONWEALTH.

Vendors may access the website www.pasupplierportal.state.pa.us or phone (877) 435-7363 or (717) 346-2676 or email ra-srmhelp@state.pa.us for assistance to register as a new vendor or, if you are an existing vendor, to change a main or remit to address. This is a Dept of General services (DGS) website so you need to contact them directly if you have any problems with the website.

VIII. CONTRACT TERM:

The contract term shall commence upon contractor’s receipt of the Bid Award that includes a notice to proceed but not sooner than July 1, 2025 and terminate August 15, 2025. No extensions will be approved.

IX. PAYMENT TERMS:

Square Acres are the unit of bidding and payment will be based on the amount of work completed to the specifications as measured by the Wildlife Habitat Group Manager.

Attachment 1.

Brush Cutting Specifications, SGL 252 Invasive Shrub Mowing.

1. All invasive tree and shrub species shall be cut. The species include bush honeysuckle, multiflora rose, autumn olive, privet & Spicebush (Native)

2. No other tree species shall be cut or damaged.

3. Contract Start Date: July 1, 2025 pending notice to proceed. End date August 15, 2025.

Preferred completion date: August 1, 2025.

4. Cutting unit is delineated in Green on attached map and marked as 2025-26 ~104ac.

5. Stems must be cut to ground level, or as low as ground hazards such as rock allow. All cut tops must be mulched. Forestry attachment heads or rotary mower heads may be used to mulch or shred the tops as they are being cut.

6. All work is to be completed with a mechanized cutter with low ground pressure tracks. Shrubs and trees on inaccessible areas by a mechanized cutter shall be cut by hand and the tops mulched on site.

7. Equipment will not be operated when ground conditions are such that excessive damage will result. The contractor will be required to repair areas that become rutted due to work.

8. Several abandoned ordinance bunkers and old foundations are within cutting blocks. Invasives may be cut by hand in these areas if equipment is not safely able to be used. Tops will need to be mulched if cut by hand.

9. Cutting blocks are delineated and easily identified by roads and field edges, as indicated on Attachment 2. Additional maps will be provided prior to work initiation if requested.

10. All work must be competed as specified in the contract.

Attachment 2: Project Area Fiscal Year 2024-25 in BLUE image2.png image1.jpeg