ITB 26-11-214020 arrc MP186-195 row brush clearing

Alaska Railroad Corporation is soliciting bids for right-of-way brush clearing, chipping, mulching, and timber removal services along an 8.1-mile corridor between mileposts 186.9 and 195.0 in the Willow section under ITB 26-11-214020, with bids due October 20, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. AKST and a mandatory site visit on October 7, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. The project is funded in part by the Federal Transit Administration and is subject to Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements; contractors must pay laborers and mechanics the higher of federal or state prevailing wage rates per Department of Labor Pamphlet 600, Issue 52.

The base bid encompasses 39.67 acres with two additive alternatives totaling 28.7 acres, for approximately 68.37 acres total. Work includes vegetation removal within a nominal 200-foot right-of-way with specified buffer zones: a 5-foot vegetative buffer for adjacent property owners and a 25-foot buffer from anadromous waterways where trees and tall shrubs will be cut to approximately 3 feet above ground level; no mulching shall occur within 25 feet of anadromous waters. The project is designed to reduce wildfire hazards, improve visibility and operational safety, and maintain right-of-way clearances. All work must be performed under active railroad operations in accordance with ARRC safety and operating procedures, with contractors responsible for coordinating track access and scheduling with ARRC personnel. Substantial completion is required by February 21, 2027; final completion by March 21, 2027.

Award will be made to the low, responsive, responsible bidder based on unit price bid per acre for 10 hours of brush clearing work per day. Contractors must submit a bid bond equal to 5 percent of the bid price, and the apparent low bidder must provide a subcontractor list, quality assurance/quality control plan, and site health and safety plan within five working days of notification. Upon award, payment and performance bonds each equal to 100 percent of the contract price are required. Contractors and subcontractors must comply with 49 CFR Part 219 drug and alcohol testing requirements and register with Avetta. Weekly certified payrolls must be submitted within seven days of the regular payroll date to ARRC's web portal. The mandatory site visit is limited to one estimator or authorized representative per bidding firm; pre-registration with Sarah Wallace at wallaces@akrr.com is required by October 5, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Alaska Time. All attendees must wear hard hats, ANSI-compliant high-visibility safety vests, safety glasses, and sturdy closed-toe protective footwear and provide their own transportation. Questions are due in writing to Sarah Wallace.