Clear &rehab logging decks

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) is issuing a Request for Quotes for clearing and rehabilitating approximately 17 logging deck openings totaling 16 acres on Sumter National Forest in Newberry County. The project requires removing logging slash, stumps, vegetation, and addressing erosion issues from loading deck sites inactive for 2-7 years, with the primary goal of establishing brood cover and bugging areas for quail and turkey. Contractors must use specific equipment, including a tracked excavator with at least 150 horsepower, a tracked bulldozer with at least 90 horsepower equipped with a root rake, and a medium-duty farm tractor with at least 50 horsepower and an 8-foot leveling disk harrow. All debris must be cleared from the deck footprint and feathered outside the perimeter, with SCDNR and Quail Forever inspecting equipment and work throughout all phases. The bid opening date is October 3, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. EST, with questions due by September 26, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. EST. Pricing shall be submitted on a per-acre basis for all 16 acres, and the contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder.

The procurement is open to various entity types, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporate entities, and government entities, all of which must register for a South Carolina vendor number. Contractors must maintain insurance with an A.M. Best rating of no less than A: VII, including Commercial General Liability, Auto Liability, and Worker's Compensation coverage. No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned in the documentation. Contractors are required to visit the site prior to submitting an offer and must provide one week advance notice prior to equipment arrival. The contract award will be effective the day following the seventh business day after notice is given, and offerors must hold their offers open for a minimum of 90 calendar days after the opening date. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the pricing will be determined on a per-acre basis for the total 16 acres of logging deck clearing and rehabilitation work. All work must comply with South Carolina procurement regulations and applicable state and federal laws, including provisions regarding equal opportunity, ethics, and illegal immigration compliance.