Monroe Mountain Strip Felling Phase II

The State of Utah, through the Division of Purchasing and Division of Wildlife Resources, issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) solicitation #AS18178 for the Monroe Mountain Strip Felling Phase II project, seeking a prequalified contractor to perform conifer hand thinning and strip felling services in the Richfield Ranger District of Fishlake National Forest. The procurement involves comprehensive forest management services across four treatment units totaling 100.8 acres, with unit sizes ranging from 17.6 to 31.3 acres. Specific project requirements mandate contractors to completely sever all live conifer trees and saplings within designated unit boundaries, with strict technical specifications including stump heights not exceeding 15 inches and felling completed within a 30-foot wide strip centered on flagged lines. Contractors must provide all necessary labor, equipment, and transportation, with some work sites requiring UTV/ATV or walking access. The mandatory site visit was scheduled for May 15, 2018, with bid submissions due on May 17, 2018, and a contract performance period from May 21 to June 22, 2018.

The contract was restricted to contractors listed on the current Utah Rangeland Prequalification List, effectively limiting participation to pre-screened forestry management firms. No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises were mentioned in the documentation. Markit! Forestry Management LLC was ultimately awarded the contract for the lowest responsive bid. Contractors were required to maintain all necessary licenses and comply with environmental restrictions, specifically washing equipment to prevent noxious weed spread. No government-furnished property was provided, meaning the selected vendor was responsible for all equipment and resources. While the exact contract value was not explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the project and the detailed technical requirements suggest a significant scope of work involving specialized forestry management services. The project's focus on conifer hand thinning indicates an ecological management and forest health improvement objective within the Fishlake National Forest.