Brush Hole Bullhog

The State of Utah Division of Purchasing and Division of Wildlife Resources issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for Solicitation #AS18052, known as the Brush Hole Bullhog project, seeking bullhog services to improve rangeland vegetation quality. The procurement specifically targets approximately 605 acres in Grand County, located 40 miles east of Moab, with the primary objective of mechanical removal and shredding of standing live and dead pinyon and juniper trees. Contractors were required to use a wheeled or tracked bullhog to masticate pinyon/juniper, serviceberry, birchleaf mountain mahogany, and Gambel's oak, with the goal of creating vegetation density closer to historic conditions, reducing competition, and improving wildlife habitat. The bid was open from August 29, 2017, to September 6, 2017, with a project completion deadline of June 30, 2018. Key deliverables included specific requirements for mulching depths, tree treatment, and preservation of certain tree species, with contractors responsible for providing labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, and operating supplies.

The procurement was strictly limited to prequalified contractors on the current Rangeland Pre-Qualification List, with bids from non-prequalified vendors automatically disqualified. No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises were mentioned in the documentation. The contract was ultimately awarded to Deer Valley Sand & Gravel LLC for the lowest responsive bid. Site access involved a combination of paved highways, county dirt roads, and jeep trails, with four-wheel drive vehicles recommended for navigation. While the exact contract value was not explicitly stated, the scope of work covering 605 acres and involving extensive mechanical vegetation management suggests a substantial project investment. The procurement process emphasized technical capability, pre-qualification status, and competitive pricing as key evaluation criteria for potential contractors.