2027 Tree Work: Line Clearing and Tree Removals

Ashburnham Municipal Light Plant (AMLP) in Massachusetts is soliciting sealed bids under IFB 2026-01 for 2027 tree work, including line clearing and tree removals on ten designated Ashburnham roads, with bids due December 16, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. Bidders must demonstrate at least five years of direct tree trimming and removal experience near energized electric lines, and the contractor must comply with Massachusetts prevailing wage requirements under M.G.L. Chapter 149, Sections 26 through 27H.

The work covers trimming and removal services totaling 539 pole sections. The successful contractor must maintain a standard crew of one tree trimmer foreman with at least three years of experience, one groundman, one aerial lift truck with a 65-foot minimum working height and chip box, and one trailer-mounted woodchipper with a 12-inch minimum capacity and winch. Bidders must provide three business references, preferably from municipal electric utilities. Insurance requires workers' compensation ($1 million/statutory), commercial general liability ($4 million each occurrence), and commercial automobile liability ($4 million combined single limit), with AMLP and the Town of Ashburnham named as additional insureds. The prevailing wage schedule, issued October 27, 2026, lists rates for 2026, 2027, and 2028 across classifications including equipment operators, laborers, and drivers.

The estimated annual budget is $150,000 to $200,000. The initial term runs from execution through December 31, 2027, with AMLP holding an option to extend for up to two one-year periods covering 2028 and 2029, subject to mutual written agreement. Extension-year rate increases cannot exceed 5% over the prior year's rates. Bid pricing includes per-day rates for each designated road, hourly rates for removals over 8 inches in diameter, hourly rates for trimming on unlisted roads, hourly storm standby rates, and all-inclusive hourly emergency rates. Prices remain fixed through the 2027 term and must include all labor, equipment, fuel, materials, transportation, and disposal. AMLP does not guarantee any minimum quantity or expenditure, may reject any or all bids, may award less than the total work, and will select roads based on operational priorities and available funding.

Bidders must submit two copies of a sealed proposal marked with the IFB number to 24 Williams Road, Ashburnham, Massachusetts. Bids are publicly opened at the same time as the deadline.