Corley PCT

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is seeking a contractor for Pre-Commercial Tree Thinning (PCT) services in a designated project area. The solicitation, identified as DNRC-LimtSol-2023-1074, covers 262.9 acres located in Section 36, Township 8N, Range 19W, with work to be performed between July 1, 2023, and October 31, 2024. The primary objective is to conduct hand thinning of trees, targeting 170 trees per acre with an average spacing of 15 feet, focusing on conifer trees between 2 and 8 inches in diameter. Prospective bidders are strongly encouraged to examine the project area before submitting a bid, with gate access available through coordination with Thayer Jacques. The contract will be awarded on an all-or-none basis to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with specific requirements including prioritizing Western larch and Ponderosa pine trees based on health, form, and growth potential. The bid opening is scheduled for May 8, 2023, at 6:30 AM MDT, with a closing date of June 6, 2023, at 3:00 PM MDT.

The solicitation includes several key requirements for potential contractors, such as compliance with Montana prevailing wage regulations, which mandate giving preference to Montana residents (ensuring at least 50% of workers are local) and paying standard prevailing wage rates. Contractors must maintain $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate commercial general liability coverage. While no specific set-aside designations are mentioned, the DNRC intends to award the contract to Absolute Forestry LLC, pending required paperwork. The contract is structured as a fixed-price agreement with prices set for the entire contract duration and not subject to escalation. Contractors will be responsible for comprehensive site cleanup, fire protection, and adherence to specific felling and thinning guidelines, with payment contingent upon meeting 90% of the target stocking levels in each unit. Additional documentation, including Forest Fire Regulations and a Bear Brochure, provides guidance on safety protocols and environmental considerations for work in the designated area.