Buck Knoll Bullhog Phase 1

The State of Utah Division of Purchasing and Division of Wildlife Resources issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) numbered MG19006 for the Buck Knoll Bullhog Phase 1 project, seeking a contractor to perform vegetation encroachment reduction in Kane County. The project requires mechanical removal and shredding of live and dead pinyon and juniper trees across approximately 1,085 acres in the Glendale Bench area, located 9 miles southeast of Glendale, with terrain ranging from flat to 30% slopes and elevations between 6,400 to 6,700 feet. Contractors must provide at least two mobile, tracked or wheeled mechanical mulching/shredder (Bullhog) machines capable of removing trees up to 30 inches in diameter, with strict equipment cleaning requirements to prevent noxious weed spread. The solicitation was opened on August 20, 2018, and closed on September 6, 2018, at 2:00 PM Mountain Time, with an anticipated contract duration of 138 calendar days and a potential start date of October 1st, 2018. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with no mandatory pre-bid site visit, though bidders were strongly encouraged to inspect the project area.

The procurement was not restricted to a specific pre-qualification list, allowing broad participation from potential contractors. While no specific set-aside designations were mentioned, the solicitation emphasized equipment capabilities and environmental considerations. The project was ultimately awarded to Brushwacker, Inc. as the lowest bidder. The contract appears to be focused on ecological management and landscape restoration, with specific technical requirements for machinery and operational procedures. Although a precise budget range was not explicitly stated in the provided documentation, the scope of work involving 1,085 acres of mechanical tree removal suggests a substantial project investment. The procurement process prioritized operational capability, environmental sensitivity, and cost-effectiveness in selecting a contractor for this vegetation management initiative.