AS26-46 Utah Trails Handbook Authoring Assistance

The State of Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation, under the State of Utah Division of Purchasing, is conducting a competitive procurement (AS26-46) to solicit assistance in authoring a comprehensive Utah Trails Handbook and accompanying pocket field guide. The primary deliverables consist of an 8.5" by 11" handbook addressing sustainable trail planning, design, construction, management, user group considerations, specialty trails, and risk management tailored to Utah's desert and mountain environments, along with a 3.5" by 5" pocket field guide containing up to 100 construction graphics and field reference materials. All final deliverables must be submitted as print-ready digital files and PDF versions suitable for online publication by February 26, 2027. Evaluation of proposals will be conducted on a 1,000-point scale comprising technical criteria (900 points, 90% weighting) across five categories: Executive Summary (100 points), Company Qualifications and Experience (300 points), Project Understanding and Approach (300 points), Preliminary Schedule for Project Completion (100 points), and Key Personnel (100 points); and cost proposals (100 points, 10% weighting). Mandatory requirements include demonstrable previous experience authoring handbooks or educational materials related to recreational trail systems planning, development, and maintenance; adequate personnel in key disciplines including project management, subject matter expertise, content authoring, and graphic design; and proposals not exceeding five pages excluding resumes, cover page, and table of contents. A minimum technical score threshold of 630 points is required for advancement. Proposals are due April 10, 2026, with the contract term extending through February 26, 2027, and vendors must guarantee pricing for the entire contract duration.

The RFP documents do not specifically identify set-aside designations, disadvantaged enterprise restrictions, or incumbent vendors that would limit eligible respondents. No existing infrastructure or technology integration requirements are specified in the procurement documentation. The cost attachment and evaluation scoresheet establish the framework for pricing submissions and comparative cost analysis, with the lowest-priced offeror receiving 100% of available cost points while other offerors receive proportional points based on their price differential relative to the lowest bid. The contract will be awarded to the single responsive and responsible vendor with the highest overall score across all evaluation criteria. Funding for this project derives from the Outdoor Recreation Initiative, though specific budget allocations or award value ranges are not disclosed in the available RFP documentation. The State of Utah reserves rights to conduct audits and maintain public access to contract documents under the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), with exceptions available only upon written approval from the State of Utah Division of Purchasing and General Services.