2016 Tree Planting Statewide

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry, is soliciting bids for a statewide tree planting contract covering nine state forests, including Michaux, Forbes, Rothrock, Sproul, Tiadaghton, Susquehanna, Tioga, Delaware, and Loyalsock. The procurement involves planting approximately 729,430 seedlings, specifically 260,810 hardwood trees and 468,620 conifer trees, with a contract performance period from the Notice to Proceed until June 30, 2016. Contractors must furnish all labor, tools, and equipment for tree planting, with a mandatory completion date of May 15, 2016. Bidder qualifications include demonstrating the capacity to plant at least 15,000 conifers or 3,000 hardwoods per day and providing professional references. The bid will be awarded on a per-tree basis, with unit pricing that must include all materials, labor, and necessary implementation costs. The bid was posted on January 4, 2016, with responses due by January 22, 2016, and contractors must submit bids electronically for public opening at the designated time.

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises were mentioned in the procurement documents. The Commonwealth will award the contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with a $15,000 performance bond requirement. While no incumbent vendors were identified, the contract allows for potential three-month extensions at the Commonwealth's discretion. Payment will be processed on a reimbursement basis following satisfactory completion of each project, as determined through field inspections, with deductions applied for improperly planted trees. The Commonwealth reserves the right to terminate the contract for convenience, non-appropriation of funds, or contractor default. Contractors must comply with various Commonwealth laws and regulations, including providing nondiscrimination and lobbying certifications. Though a specific budget range was not explicitly stated, the total project involves planting 729,430 trees across multiple state forests, suggesting a significant investment in forest regeneration and conservation efforts.