So Very Thick Fuel Reduction

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is soliciting bids for the mechanical mastication of 130 acres of pre-commercial thinning on the Missoula Unit. The project requires the use of a boom-mounted masticator with a minimum 110 HP to thin conifer trees between 2 feet in height and 6 inches DBH, with a target stocking of 170-222 trees per acre and an average spacing of 14 feet. The work must be completed by October 15, 2026 and will be evaluated by a Forest Officer. A 25% performance bond will be required, and the award will go to the vendor with the lowest Total Bid Price. The procurement includes detailed technical specifications, including requirements for tree selection, felling, and slash management. Bidders are expected to conduct a site visit prior to submitting proposals, as the estimates provided may not accurately reflect actual conditions. The bid opens on 7/30/2024 at 8:00 AM MDT and closes on 8/20/2024 at 2:30 PM MDT.

The state and local contract opportunity does not appear to include any set-aside designations or restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are listed. The attached documents do not provide information on the award value or budget range for this procurement. The procurement is funded through a mix of state and federal sources, so the contractor will be required to fill out and sign an NDA 889 document and an ADA 1048 document. Additionally, the contractor must certify that they do not have a practice, policy, guidance, or directive that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association.