JH26-29 Cherry Creek Road Fire - Aerial Seeding

The State of Utah Division of Purchasing, on behalf of the Division of Wildlife Resources, is seeking aerial seeding services for the Cherry Creek Road Fire restoration project located in Juab County. The procurement is an Invitation for Bid (IFB) targeting approximately 506 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and adjacent private lands on the east bench of the Sabie Mountain Range, with elevations ranging from 6,000 to 6,200 feet. Contractors must provide aerial seeding services using GPS-equipped aircraft to ensure 100% coverage, applying a pre-mixed grass and forb seed mix at a rate of 14.17 pounds per acre, totaling approximately 7,170 pounds of seed. The required aircraft must be capable of precise seeding and operate within specific wind speed constraints, with work to commence by 8:00 a.m. to minimize seed drift. The procurement anticipates a single contract award to the lowest cost responsive and responsible vendor, with a contract term from December 17, 2025, to January 10, 2026. Bid submissions are due by December 11, 2025, through the state's U3P procurement platform, with no mandatory site visit required.

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises were explicitly detailed in the procurement documents. The vendor must certify compliance with various state requirements, including not engaging in economic boycotts, avoiding forced labor products, and adhering to restrictions on foreign entities as defined in Utah Code. Bidders must provide guaranteed fixed pricing for the entire contract period and are prohibited from beginning work, purchasing materials, or entering subcontracts until receiving a fully executed purchase order. Contractors must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate commercial general liability insurance, and $1 million commercial automobile liability insurance if vehicles are used. While no specific award value was disclosed, the scope suggests a substantial project involving extensive aerial seeding across multiple land types. The nearest operational airport for the project is Delta Municipal Airport, located approximately 40 air miles southwest of the project site, which may impact logistical considerations for potential bidders.