2025-2026 Santiam State Forest Tree Planting

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is seeking a contractor to perform tree planting services in the Santiam State Forest, located in Northwest Oregon. This Invitation to Bid (ITB) covers tree planting across 145 acres divided into four specific units: Gates Hill (95 acres), Beaver Creek (29 acres), Double Stout (11 acres), and Sevenmile A2 (10 acres). The successful bidder will be responsible for providing all planting labor, supervision, transportation, equipment, and materials necessary to complete the project. Contractors must have a minimum of three years of professional tree planting experience and hold a valid Oregon Forest Labor Contractor License with forest category endorsement. The procurement requires one planting crew of 10-15 planters plus an experienced foreman, with a target of 200 trees per acre at 10x10 spacing. Bids are due on August 22, 2025, at 2:00 PM Pacific Time, with a voluntary pre-bid conference scheduled for August 8, 2025, at the Santiam State Forest Office. The contract period runs from September 8, 2025, with all planting to be completed between January 8, 2026, and June 30, 2026.

The solicitation includes provisions for certified disadvantaged business participation, though specific set-aside percentages are not detailed. Bidders will be evaluated based on lowest responsive and responsible bid, with emphasis on demonstrated consistency in crew members and foremen, adequate staffing resources, and maintenance of required licenses. The contract has an initial one-year term with options for three additional annual renewals, not to exceed four total years. While the exact contract value is not specified in the sample documents, the contract includes performance penalties for planting quality below 92% and stocking levels outside the 90-105% target range. ODF will provide seedlings (approximately 70% bare root and 30% plug) and required maps, while the contractor must supply all other necessary resources. Insurance requirements are comprehensive, including Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000/$2,000,000), Workers' Compensation, and Automobile Liability coverage. The procurement is specifically for Linn County, Oregon, and is designed to support reforestation efforts in the Santiam State Forest.