JH27-116 Black Horse and Big Park Fuel Break Seeding

The State of Utah Division of Purchasing, conducting procurement on behalf of the State of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, issued IFB JH27-116 for aerial seeding services across approximately 991 acres in the Book Cliffs of Uintah County, with bids due September 25, 2026. This is a lowest-responsive-and-responsible-bidder procurement with no set-asides or preferences.

The scope encompasses three distinct line items: Black Horse Ridge (722 acres), Big Park Phase 1 (182 acres), and Big Park Phase 2 (87 acres). The contractor must furnish labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals to aerially apply seed via fixed-wing aircraft, helicopter, or drone. Three seed mixes are specified with acreage-dependent application rates. Black Horse Ridge seeding must be completed by October 18, 2026, and Big Park by October 25, 2026. Work is limited to 30 minutes before sunrise through 30 minutes after sunset. The contractor must maintain GPS equipment accurate within five meters, conduct flight-line planning, provide continuous radio communication with field crews and government inspectors, and hold a mandatory pre-work conference. Work must commence within seven calendar days of receiving Notice to Proceed. Payment is a single lump-sum final payment based on completed acres following final inspection; no partial payments are permitted without advance written approval. Pricing is per-acre, all-inclusive of labor, equipment, materials, and mobilization, with no fuel surcharges or adjustments negotiable. Minor change orders adjusting acreage up to 10% will apply the original per-acre rate; major change orders exceeding 10% acreage may be subject to renegotiated pricing, capped at 10% of untreated-acreage value.

No mandatory site visit was held; bidders were strongly recommended to conduct independent inspections. The government provides all seed materials and maps/shapefiles; the contractor must provide GPS equipment and aerial application capability.

Two bids were received. SafeChem Pest submitted the low bid at $6,629.79 total ($6.69 per acre) and was awarded the contract. Hammond Helicopter, LLC bid $22,793.00 total ($23.00 per acre).