2023 Sudden Oak Death Eradication Arborist Services

The Oregon Department of Forestry has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for 2023 Sudden Oak Death Eradication Arborist Services, primarily targeting areas near Port Orford in Marion County and the City of Salem. The procurement seeks qualified arborist services to eradicate the Sudden Oak Death (SOD) pathogen, with primary work involving cutting and burning affected trees and shrubs, potential herbicide application, and transportation of materials. Proposers must have an ISA Certified Arborist on staff and demonstrate specific experience in SOD eradication services. The RFP requires a comprehensive proposal including a Proposer Information and Certification Sheet, Cost Proposal Form, References, and a Responsibility Inquiry. Evaluation criteria include proposer experience, approach to the work, key personnel qualifications, and cost, with a total possible score of 100 points, of which 40 points are allocated to pricing. The proposal was due on December 22, 2023, at 2:00 PM PT, with Blue Sky Tree Service & Preservation emerging as the highest-scoring proposer with 95 out of 100 points.

The RFP includes specific requirements for Certified Disadvantaged Business Outreach, encouraging participation of minority, women, and emerging small business enterprises. Proposers are required to take reasonable steps to ensure certified disadvantaged businesses have equal subcontracting opportunities and must provide a detailed COBID Outreach Plan. The contract is structured with an initial one-year term and potential for up to four additional one-year renewals, with the Oregon Department of Forestry estimating 10-25 days of work in the first year. While specific contract value is not explicitly stated, the cost proposal form includes detailed hourly rates for various service components such as chainsaw operators, laborers, and transportation. The state reserves the right to award all, part, or none of the proposal items, with reimbursement calculated based on inspected acreage and acceptable work quality. Successful proposers will be required to include all travel, per diem, transportation, equipment fuel, and other expenses in their submitted hourly pricing.