NC27-112 Dixie NF aerial seeding

The State of Utah Division of Purchasing is soliciting bids for aerial seeding services on the Dixie National Forest northwest of Panguitch under IFB NC27-112, with proposals due September 29, 2026. Award will go to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder; no mandatory site visit is required.

The scope encompasses aerial seeding of approximately 2,347 acres across two areas: Fivemile Pasture (1,803 acres) and Three Creeks Allotment (544 acres), located 7.5 miles west-northwest of Panguitch at elevations of 6,900 to 8,400 feet in western Garfield and eastern Iron Counties. The contractor must provide GPS-equipped aircraft capable of establishing flight lines for 100 percent coverage. Seeding rates are 7.24 lbs./acre for Fivemile Pasture and 11.41 lbs./acre for Three Creeks, totaling approximately 19,261 pounds. Seed must be picked up from the UDWR Great Basin Research Center in Ephraum, Utah. All work must be completed by November 1. The contractor assumes full responsibility for seed transport, storage, handling, and protection; any damaged or lost seed must be replaced at no additional cost to the State. Environmental compliance is mandatory, including proper disposal of hazardous materials, restoration of damaged roads, and prohibition of off-road driving during wet soil conditions. A designated English-literate on-site supervisor must be present with radio communication systems and crew safety protocols including emergency transportation.

The contract is priced as a per-acre bid extended across 2,347 acres, with all labor, equipment, mobilization, and operating costs included. No fuel surcharges or price adjustments are permitted. Pricing must be guaranteed for the entire project. Work is expected to begin within seven calendar days of notice to proceed. Payment is made as a lump-sum final payment following final inspection and acceptance, though partial payments may be considered at the State's discretion with prior written approval. The State reserves the right to modify the contract through Minor Change Orders (up to 10 percent acreage adjustment) or Major Change Orders (exceeding 10 percent modification), with a maximum change-order liability cap calculated as per-acre bid price multiplied by 10 percent of remaining untreated acreage. The State may suspend or cancel work due to frozen soil or other winter conditions.

Vendors must certify compliance with Utah Code provisions regarding anti-boycott actions, restrictions on forced labor products, and foreign entity restrictions. Responses must be submitted through the U3P online system and adhere strictly to Standard Terms and Conditions without exceptions or modifications; bids containing conditional language, additional terms, or deviations will be rejected as non-responsive. All questions must be submitted through U3P during the designated question-and-answer period. The contractor must maintain commercial general liability insurance with minimum limits of one million dollars per occurrence and three million dollars aggregate, and commercial automobile liability insurance with minimum limits of one million dollars per combined single limit. Workers' compensation insurance is required. The State retains the right to terminate the contract for convenience with thirty days' written notice or for cause with ten days to cure after written notification.