Mt. Adams SMTG

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is soliciting proposals for snowmobile trail grooming services covering approximately 110 miles of trails in the Mt. Adams Ranger District of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Skamania County, Washington, with proposals due October 15, 2026, and a virtual prebid conference scheduled for September 10, 2026. A 10-point procurement preference is available for bidders certified as Washington Small Business or Certified Veteran-Owned Business.

The scope encompasses grooming and maintenance of designated snowmobile trails at Atkinson, Flattop, and Lone Butte Sno-Parks from December 1 through March 31 each season, with grooming beginning only after 12–18 inches of base snowfall accumulates. The contractor must maintain finished trail surfaces at least 10 feet wide, clear downed trees following wind and heavy snow events, and operate at approximately 5 miles per hour. Equipment must include snow groomers with heated cabs, 36-inch-wide tracks for two-track machines or 26-inch for four-track machines, tillers or compactor bars at minimum 10 feet wide, two-way communications, GPS tracking systems, hour meters, backup alarms, multiple headlights with beacons, and first aid and survival kits. Payment is hourly based on documented grooming hours, Daily Trail Grooming Logs, and GPS tracking data. Liquidated damages of $50 per violation apply for failures in timely reporting or log completion; after four consecutive missed grooming days, the Agency may contract alternative services at the contractor's expense.

The contract term runs five years from December 1, 2026, through April 30, 2031, structured as fixed one-year terms requiring mutual negotiation between renewals. The 2025–2026 season budget is capped at $40,482, but future seasonal budgets are determined annually by July or August based on available revenues and Snowmobile Advisory Committee recommendations with no guaranteed minimum. Subcontracting requires written approval. Bidders must hold a Washington Universal Business Identifier. Evaluation scoring totals 100 points (minimum 60 for responsiveness): equipment description (35 points), pricing (30 points), experience (25 points), and small business/veteran-owned certification (10 points). Pricing is evaluated using a standardized 140-hour winter season scenario. State Parks reserves the right to conduct oral presentations with top-scoring bidders and may extend the contract up to ten years total through subsequent negotiations.