BD27-103 Atchee Ridge Fuel Break Bullhog

The State of Utah Division of Purchasing is requesting bids on IFB BD27-103 for wildlife habitat improvement and wildland fire hazard reduction on the Atchee Ridge Fuel Break project, with bids due September 14, 2026. Participation is restricted to prequalified contractors only — bidders must be currently listed on the State of Utah's Pre-approved/Pre-qualified Vendor list or their bids will not be accepted.

The scope involves mechanical removal and shredding of standing live and dead pinyon and juniper trees, saplings, and brush across 260.4 acres on Indian Spring and Augisi Ridges, Book Cliffs, and Spring Ridge using wheeled or tracked mechanical mulcher/shredder/masticator equipment. The project site is located approximately 70 miles southeast of Vernal, Utah, at elevations ranging from 7,200 to 7,700 feet with slopes between flat and 20%. Work must be completed by November 30, 2026, commencing upon contract award. Treatment specifications require mulching of all conifers and shrubs except aspen and Ponderosa pine; stump heights cannot exceed six inches on the uphill side; surplus vegetation must be mulched to lengths not exceeding three feet; and hand removal of unmulchable vegetation is the contractor's responsibility. The contractor must furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals, and must guarantee pricing through project completion.

No mandatory site visit is required prior to bidding, but bidders are strongly encouraged to conduct site inspections at their own expense; failure to inspect does not constitute grounds for post-award claims. The State anticipates a single award to the lowest cost responsive and responsible vendor. The contract will require commercial general liability insurance of not less than $1 million per occurrence / $3 million aggregate and commercial automobile liability of $1 million combined single limit where applicable. All bids containing exceptions or additions to standard terms and conditions will be rejected as non-responsive. Vendor performance is evaluated on Quality of Product or Service (8x weight), Timeliness of Performance (8x weight), and Contract Management (4x weight), with a minimum average score of 60 required to remain on the prequalification list.