"Repost" Samish River Unit Tree and Shrub Planting Project

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is requesting qualifications and quotations from contractors to establish native trees, shrubs, and willow whips across 17 acres at the Samish River Unit in northern Skagit County, with proposals due October 30, 2026 and an optional bidder walkthrough on September 29, 2026.

The scope encompasses procurement and installation of approximately 8,971 native plants across eight primary planting areas to restore Wildlife Restoration Program easement lands to native conditions. Contractors must source all plant materials from local tree and plant nurseries and comply with NRCS Practice Standard 612 for Tree/Shrub Establishment (Washington State 2025). Species include Sitka spruce, shore pine, cascara, nootka rose, salmonberry, spiraea, red osier dogwood, Pacific ninebark, and multiple willow species, with plants meeting American Standards of Nursery Stock. Installation occurs fall 2027 (October–November) with post-planting weed maintenance twice annually for three years (2028–2030). Contractors must provide all-terrain vehicle access, implement seasonal work restrictions (April 1 through July 1), use hand-powered equipment during wet conditions, and ensure 70 percent plant survival rates. Site preparation by WDFW staff and a pre-application conference with the landowner and NRCS are mandatory prerequisites.

The estimated initial contract value is $227,000 over three years, with potential renewal for two additional years at WDFW discretion. Performance period spans September 2027 through September 2030. Washington State prevailing wage requirements under RCW 39.12 apply. Contractors must maintain Commercial General Liability Insurance of at least $1 million per occurrence.

Evaluation uses a 70-point cost scale (lowest responsive bid) and 30 points for non-cost qualifications covering experience with similar habitat restoration and government contracts, equipment and off-road capability, project schedule, plant procurement plan, and risk management. A 3 percent bid preference applies to firms certifying they do not mandate individual arbitration clauses or class/collective action waivers under Washington Executive Order 18-03. The procurement encourages Disadvantaged, Minority, and Women-Owned Business Enterprises to apply. Questions are due October 9, 2026, with an optional pre-bid conference October 6 via Microsoft Teams. The Apparent Successful Bidder will be announced November 4, 2026.