Trail Logout and Brush Cutting Services in Wilderness and Non-wilderness Areas, Flathead National Forest

The United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service is seeking a small business contractor to perform trail maintenance services in the Flathead National Forest, covering Flathead and Lake Counties in Montana. The solicitation requires log out and brush cutting services on approximately 40 miles of trail segments in both wilderness and non-wilderness areas across three ranger districts: Swan Lake, Hungry Horse, and Spotted Bear. Contractors must submit a technical proposal, price proposal, and representations and certifications by April 30, 2025, at 5 pm MST to andrea.haines@usda.gov. The evaluation will focus on the contractor's experience, technical capabilities, and ability to meet detailed trail maintenance specifications, including removing downed trees, clearing trail corridors, and maintaining specific trail width and height clearances. Contractors must adhere to strict wilderness regulations and follow low-impact camping methods while working between June 15th and October 15th, 2025.

The contract is set aside exclusively for small businesses with a NAICS code of 115310 and a small business size standard of $11.5 million. The Forest Service may award up to three separate contracts based on different locations, with all quotations requiring pricing for all line items to be considered. The work is funded through the Great American Outdoors Act and covers trail maintenance in mixed conifer forests, with individual trail segments ranging from 0.3 to 12.7 daily hours of work. The place of performance is located in Bigfork, Montana, with work areas spanning multiple trails in the Jewel Basin Hiking Area, Bob Marshall Wilderness, and surrounding forest regions. Contractors must also comply with specific wildlife and food storage regulations, including bear-resistant storage methods and environmental protection guidelines throughout the project duration.