Flat Creek Hand Thinning and Piling Project

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) John Day Watershed District Office is seeking a contractor to conduct precommercial thinning on approximately 300 acres in the Flat Creek Drainage, located within the Phillip W. Schneider Wildlife Area in Grant County. The project aims to reduce fuels and enhance mixed conifer forest habitat, with specific deliverables including thinning trees up to 12 inches in diameter, trimming ladder fuels, and piling the removed material. Bidders must demonstrate experience with similar forestry projects and provide three references for comparable services performed within the last three years. The project has a defined timeline, with work expected to begin upon contract signing and all activities to be completed by June 12, 2023. A mandatory pre-bid conference is scheduled for September 29, 2022, and sealed bids are due by October 4, 2022, at 3:00 PM PDT. ODFW will evaluate bids based on responsiveness, responsibility, and overall advantage to the state, with the intention of awarding the contract to the lowest responsible bidder who substantially complies with the Invitation to Bid (ITB) requirements.

The procurement includes provisions for certified disadvantaged business participation, requiring bidders to outline their outreach plans for minority-owned, woman-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and emerging small businesses. Bidders must indicate if they are a certified disadvantaged business and describe their previous contractual relationships with such enterprises. If awarded the contract, vendors will be required to report subcontract details to the Oregon Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity (COBID). The project will be funded through a combination of sources, including federal funds, which necessitates compliance with federal requirements such as the Davis-Bacon Act, Clean Air Act, and Federal Water Pollution Control Act. While the exact contract value is not explicitly stated, the compensation structure is set at a fixed rate per acre, with a total not-to-exceed contract limit. Due to budget constraints, ODFW notes that all 300 acres may not be awarded, and the final scope may be adjusted based on available funding.