Pinto mesa cut and pile phase 2 BLM

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Idaho Region, White River Field Office, is soliciting proposals for fuels management services to reduce wildland fire risk through cutting and hand-piling of pinyon and juniper vegetation across approximately 432 acres located 32 miles west of Meeker, Colorado. The contractor must furnish all equipment, crews, and chainsaws to cut trees with a diameter at breast height of 12 inches or less and create hand piles meeting specific dimensional and spacing requirements (10 feet by 10 feet minimum, spaced at least 30 feet apart, positioned 50 feet from private boundaries). Evaluation criteria include relevant project experience (three completed or ongoing jobs as prime or sub-contractor within the past five years), technical capability demonstrated through a five-page narrative addressing project understanding, organization and staffing, safety and sustainability measures, and schedule adherence, and fair and reasonable pricing based on a per-acre firm-fixed-price structure. The Government will assess work quality through random one-acre plot inspections with an acceptable quality level minimum of 85 percent. Quotes are due by March 24, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Mountain Time, submitted electronically to drosales@blm.gov, with the Contracting Officer's Representative, Shane Pfeiffer, available at 970-620-6957 for site visit coordination.

This solicitation is designated as a total small business set-aside under NAICS code 115310 (Support Activities for Forestry) with a small business size standard of $34.0 million. The contract is firm-fixed-price with compensation calculated as a per-acre rate multiplied by 432 acres, though no specific budget range or award value is disclosed in the solicitation. Work is scheduled to begin July 16, 2026, and must be completed by November 30, 2026, with an alternative work window of September 16, 2026, to March 14, 2027, if severe drought conditions exist on July 1st; no work is permitted between December 15, 2025, and July 15, 2026, due to wildlife and migratory bird protection requirements. Contractors must comply with Service Contract Labor Standards wage determination 1976-1351, revision 78, which establishes prevailing hourly rates ranging from $14.02 to $26.38 depending on occupational classification, along with fringe benefits and paid sick leave requirements. Performance of all work will occur on BLM-managed land in Rio Blanco County, Colorado, with the contractor responsible for noxious weed prevention, OSHA compliance, environmental cleanup, and fire prevention measures including spark arresters and fire suppression equipment.