Trailhead Upgrades Shealor, Thunder, Margaret

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service is seeking contractors to perform comprehensive trailhead upgrades at three locations along Highway 88 in the Eldorado National Forest: Shealor Lake, Thunder Mountain, and Lake Margaret trailheads in Amador and Alpine Counties, California. The scope of work includes installing three single-unit vault toilets with paved turnouts, constructing a new parking lot at Thunder Mountain Trailhead, placing site furnishings such as picnic tables and bear-proof trash receptacles, and installing three information kiosks with aggregate pads. The project also requires demolition activities including tree removal, metal post removal, and clearing existing structures, along with compliance with strict fire prevention protocols during the April 1 through December 1 fire precautionary period. Contractors must adhere to environmental guidelines including erosion control, dust abatement, and equipment washing to prevent noxious weed spread. This pre-solicitation notice was posted on August 1, 2025, with a due date of August 15, 2025, for interested parties to respond.

This opportunity is designated as a Total Small Business set-aside under NAICS code 237310 (Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction), limiting participation to qualified small businesses. The project involves significant quantities including 15 individual tree removals, 168 tons of asphalt concrete, 172 cubic yards of aggregate base construction, and installation of three bear-proof trash bins and three information kiosks. The contract includes a base performance period of 120 days starting July 7, 2025, with work conducted at remote locations approximately 50-56 miles northeast of Jackson, California. The Schedule of Items document provides detailed line item breakdowns across three Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs), though specific dollar amounts were not disclosed in the current documentation. Contractors must comply with Davis-Bacon Act wage determinations for construction workers across multiple California counties, with hourly rates ranging from approximately $34 to $84 per hour plus fringe benefits.