Mt Richmond Oak Habitat Improvement Project

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) issued an Invitation to Bid (ITB) #S63500-00006127 for the Mt Richmond Oak Habitat Improvement Project located in Yamhill County. The procurement seeks a contractor to perform habitat restoration work across 48 total acres, with two primary objectives: first, opening 20.6 acres of understory by eliminating invasive weeds and overstocked competitive tree species, and second, spraying 28 acres of Oak Savanna and prairie to reduce competition with native forbs. Bidders must demonstrate work history, experience, and understanding of the requested ecological services. The evaluation criteria will focus on the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with pricing assessed on a per-acre basis. Bid submissions were due on March 28, 2023, at 3:00 PM PDT, with an anticipated contract award date of March 30, 2023. The contract requires all work to be completed by June 30, 2023, and contractors must use specific herbicides like Stinger (EPA registration #62719-73) with clopyralid as the active ingredient. Bidders were required to submit various documentation, including a bid cover sheet, reference check form, bid submittal form, and responsibility inquiry.

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises were mentioned in the procurement documents. The bid tally sheet revealed seven total bidders, with bid amounts ranging from $38,112.00 to $161,000.00. Ash Creek Forest Management LLC of Hillsboro, Oregon, submitted the lowest bid at $40,710.00 and was subsequently identified in the Notice of Intent to Award as the anticipated contractor. The total project area spans 284 acres, though only 48 acres will receive direct treatment. No incumbent vendor information was explicitly stated, and no specific technological integration requirements were outlined. The project appears to be entirely funded by the State of Oregon, with no indication of additional funding sources. The sample contract indicates a not-to-exceed amount, though the exact budget was redacted in the provided documentation. Contractors will be required to maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including workers' compensation, automobile liability, and commercial general liability.