AM26-84 PETTY MOUNTAIN LOP AND SCATTER (Pre-Qualified Contractors)

The State of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, through the State of Utah Division of Purchasing, has issued Invitation for Bid (IFB) AM26-84 seeking lop and scatter services for wildlife habitat improvement in the Petty Mountain area of Duchesne County. The project encompasses up to 401 acres total, consisting of 325 acres as the primary work area and 76 acres as optional cleanup work, with a project performance period from May 14 through May 30, 2026. The procurement seeks to remove conifer trees (lodgepole pine, spruce, and fir) measuring 9 inches or greater in diameter at breast height using chainsaws, with material cut to specified lengths not exceeding 36 inches, to improve wildlife habitat for mule deer, elk, and moose while reducing hazardous fuels. The selected contractor must furnish a minimum eight-person crew equipped with fully operational chainsaws, GPS units capable of loading project boundaries, safety equipment, and all necessary transportation and support services, with work to be completed by May 30, 2026. Evaluation will be made on a lowest cost per acre basis, with award anticipated to a single responsive and responsible vendor; no mandatory site visit is required, though prospective bidders are strongly encouraged to inspect the site prior to submitting proposals. The IFB due date is May 12, 2026, with the anticipated Notice to Proceed and contract start date of May 14, 2026. The contractor must submit both a base bid for the 325-acre primary area and an add-alternate bid for the optional 76-acre area, with the State reserving the right to award the base area only or both areas at its sole discretion.

This solicitation is restricted exclusively to pre-qualified contractors currently listed on the State of Utah's Pre-approved/Pre-qualified Vendor list; contractors not on this list are explicitly ineligible to submit proposals. Performance evaluation criteria assess Quality of Product or Service (8 points), Timeliness of Performance (8 points), and Contract Management (4 points) for a total possible score of 100 points, with contractors required to maintain a minimum average performance score of 60 to remain on the Rangeland Pre-Qualification list. The contract includes standard terms and conditions that are non-negotiable, and all submissions become property of the State of Utah, with insurance requirements including workers' compensation insurance at statutory limits, commercial general liability insurance of no less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate, and commercial automobile liability insurance of $1,000,000 combined single limit if vehicles are used. All deliverables are F.O.B. Destination Freight Prepaid and Allowed, with payment made as a lump-sum final payment upon completion and final inspection for the actual number of acres completed. The total project budget is $24,696.00, with pricing guaranteed by the vendor through project completion and no fuel surcharges or price adjustments permitted after contract execution. Vendors must comply with all applicable federal and state laws, including E-Verify employment verification requirements for Utah-based employees, anti-boycott provisions, forced labor restrictions, and foreign entity prohibitions under Utah Code.