AM27-124 Upper Sevier River Watershed Maintenance Lop and Scatter Project(Pre-Qualified Contractors)

The State of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, conducting procurement through the Division of Purchasing, is soliciting bids under IFB AM27-124 for lop and scatter services on up to 1,618 acres in Garfield County, with bids due November 3, 2026. Participation is limited to prequalified contractors on the state's current pre-approved vendor list, and contractors not on that list are prohibited from submitting.

The work is fuels reduction, cutting standing live pinyon and juniper trees and saplings with chainsaws across four treatment units at 7,000 to 7,800 feet, on slopes from flat to 25 percent. The contractor must furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, and operating supplies, and must field a minimum 10-person crew with chainsaws capable of cutting trees up to 20 inches in diameter. Equipment must be washed before entering and exiting the project area to prevent noxious weed spread. Environmental requirements include restoring damaged roads, prohibiting off-road vehicle use when soils are wet, managing hazardous materials, and protecting cultural and archaeological resources.

The State will make a single award to the lowest cost responsive and responsible vendor on a cost-per-acre basis, extended to a total project price covering labor, equipment, materials, mobilization, and operating costs. Vendors must guarantee pricing through completion, and no fuel surcharges or price adjustments will be negotiated. Performance runs November 9, 2026 through June 1, 2027. Payment is one lump sum after final inspection of completed acres, with partial payments at the State's discretion and with prior written approval. The State may suspend work for winter conditions and order minor change orders for up to 10 percent acreage adjustments; change order liability is capped at 10 percent of untreated acreage value.

Post-award performance is scored on quality of product or service (8 points), timeliness (8 points), and contract management (4 points), out of 100. Contractors averaging below 60 are removed from the Rangeland Pre-Qualification list for that treatment category and all larger acreages.

No mandatory site visit is required, and no pre-bid site visit will be held, though bidders are strongly encouraged to inspect conditions independently. Questions go through a written Q&A board. Responses are submitted through the U3P online system. The Standard Terms and Conditions are non-negotiable, and any bid with exceptions, modifications, or additional terms will be rejected as non-responsive. Vendors must certify compliance with Utah Code provisions on anti-boycott actions, forced labor, and foreign entities. Pricing is public; other information may be protected only through a Claim of Business Confidentiality form and a redacted response. Vendors may not commence work, purchase materials, or subcontract before receiving an executed purchase order or contract.