FAC 120 - Mowing and Mulching of existing fire breaks within Myles Standish State Forest FY27

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation is requesting proposals for mowing and mulching of existing firebreaks within Myles Standish State Forest under RFP FAC 120, with proposals due September 25, 2026. Bidders must be registered vendors on the statewide FAC 120 Landscaping Services contract and must comply with prevailing wage rates administered by the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards — a mandatory eligibility gate.

The scope covers four firebreak sections totaling 27.2 miles (Section 1: 7.7 miles; Section 2: 8.7 miles; Section 3: 8.3 miles; Section 4: 2.5 miles) within firebreaks 20 to 32 feet wide. All vegetation must be mowed to within 1 inch of ground level with stumps ground to ground level; resulting mulch must be shredded and dispersed non-compacted to a maximum depth of 3 inches. Work is located at Myles Standish State Forest, 194 Cranberry Road, Carver, Massachusetts. Active work runs December 1, 2026, through April 14, 2027 (two to three weeks of actual work). Bids are submitted as lump-sum amounts per section through the Commonwealth's Commbuys electronic system.

The estimated procurement value is $40,000. Responsive bids must include detailed labor, equipment, and materials lists; equipment specifications with make, model, and age; employee qualifications and certifications; certified insurance meeting FAC 120 requirements; and three references from similar public-sector infrastructure projects. The contractor bears responsibility for all permits, fees, governmental licenses, safety compliance, site cleanup, and equipment inspections before entry on DCR property, with a one-year warranty on workmanship following completion and acceptance.

Evaluation criteria include total project cost, qualifications and demonstrated capability, experience with similar public-sector infrastructure work, and ability to meet specified scope requirements. The anticipated award date is October 1, 2026. Questions are due September 23, 2026, at 5 PM (revised from September 10). A mandatory site visit is scheduled for September 3, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Myles Standish State Forest Headquarters; a four-wheel drive vehicle is required.