AM26-24 Red Canyon West, Three Knolls Bullhog

The State of Utah Division of Purchasing, in conjunction with the Division of Wildlife Resources, is seeking competitive bids for a wildlife habitat improvement project involving mechanical removal and shredding of pinyon and juniper trees and saplings across approximately 1,763 acres in Sanpete and Millard counties. The procurement is structured as an Invitation for Bid (IFB) that will utilize mechanical mulching/shredder equipment (Bullhog) to remove standing live and dead trees. Contractors must use wheeled or tracked mechanical mulching equipment and guarantee pricing through project completion. The project performance period is from October 6, 2025, through March 15, 2026, with a methodology for contract awards based on the lowest cost per acre. Evaluation criteria will focus on per-acre pricing efficiency, and vendors will be assessed using a comprehensive performance evaluation form that scores quality of service, timeliness, and contract management on a 5-point rating scale. No mandatory site visit is required, and the solicitation anticipates multiple contract awards to different vendors. The bid response deadline is September 9, 2025, with contractors expected to demonstrate technical capability and equipment proficiency for large-scale vegetation management.

The solicitation does not explicitly indicate specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged business enterprises. Vendors must comply with Utah state procurement regulations, including registration in the Employment Status Verification System (E-verify) and maintaining specific insurance coverages. Required insurance includes workers' compensation, commercial general liability insurance (minimum $1M per occurrence), and commercial automobile liability insurance if vehicles are used. Contractors must also adhere to state and federal employment practice laws and demonstrate past project experience through reference submissions. While no specific budget range is provided, the procurement methodology suggests that cost-effectiveness will be a primary selection criterion. The state reserves the right to evaluate contractor performance and potentially terminate contracts based on fund availability or legislative changes. To remain eligible for future rangeland projects, vendors must maintain a minimum average performance score of 60 across quality, timeliness, and contract management categories.