Cow Hollow West Bullhog

The State of Utah Division of Purchasing and Division of Wildlife Resources issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) numbered AS19009 for the Cow Hollow West Bullhog project, which seeks specialized bullhog services to mitigate wildfire potential and enhance ecosystem resiliency. The solicitation requires contractors to provide mobile, tracked or wheeled mechanical mulching/shredder equipment capable of processing live trees up to 24 inches in diameter, with the primary objectives of reducing wildfire risk, protecting sagebrush habitat for sage grouse and mule deer, and increasing perennial grass and forb cover. The project involves treating approximately 1,647 acres located 18 miles southwest of Eureka in Juab County, Utah, with a performance window from October 1, 2018 to March 15, 2019, spanning 166 calendar days. Contractors must adhere to strict environmental preservation guidelines, including specific requirements for debris removal, surface disturbance mitigation, and equipment cleaning to prevent noxious weed spread. The bid opened on 7/10/2018 and closed on 7/26/2018, with key evaluation criteria focused on technical capabilities, environmental compliance, and equipment specifications.

The contract opportunity was exclusively open to contractors on the current Utah Rangeland Prequalification List, effectively restricting participation to a select group of pre-vetted vendors. No site visit was conducted as part of the procurement process. Wilkinson Construction Co. Inc. was ultimately awarded the contract for submitting the lowest responsive bid from the prequalified list. The project is funded through the Bureau of Land Management's West Desert District, Fillmore Field Office, and will be administered by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. While specific budget details were not explicitly disclosed, the comprehensive nature of the project and the required specialized equipment suggest a significant investment in ecosystem management and habitat restoration. The solicitation emphasized the importance of environmental stewardship, with detailed documentation requirements for work progress and ecological impact mitigation.