Chalk Bluffs Rock Slide Mitigation Bozeman Area

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is soliciting Statements of Qualification from engineering firms for the Chalk Bluffs Rock Slide Mitigation project located on East River Road (Route SEC-540) near Bozeman. The procurement seeks a qualified contractor to perform rock scaling and mitigation on a 0.2-mile stretch between Mile Markers 4.3 and 4.5, addressing a mass rockfall event that occurred on January 20, 2025. The project requires approximately 270 man-hours of scaling over 9,000 square feet, removal of approximately 1,500 cubic yards of rock material, and re-establishment of the roadside ditch over 350 linear feet. Key deliverables include complete rock removal, debris management, and environmental protection, with specific requirements for working only between 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM and adhering to wildlife habitat protection guidelines. The solicitation (Number MDT-316136-RP) is open from June 6, 2025, to June 26, 2025, with bids due by 2:00 PM MDT, and the project must be completed by August 30, 2025. Contractors must be prequalified for scaling work and registered with the Department of Labor and Industry.

The contract does not specify specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. Potential bidders with total bids of $150,000 or greater must provide bid security of 10% of the total bid. The project will use prevailing wage rates as established by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, with specific wage calculations and benefits for various construction trades. While no incumbent vendor is mentioned, the project involves working in a complex geological area with soft, erodible materials like claystone, siltstone, and sandstone. The scaled material will be transported to the Yankee Jim/Tom Miner Pit and Stockpile Area, located approximately 8 miles south of the site. Contractors must clean equipment before entering the project area and restore any damaged property at their own expense. The project is considered a short-term mitigation solution, with the understanding that rock fall risks will likely return to historical levels within one to two years due to ongoing erosion. The solicitation uses commodity codes for Transportation Goods & Services, specifically Pavement Preservation Services (5023) and Highway Maintenance (5017).