The Dalles Watershed Fuels Reduction

The Oregon Department of Forestry is soliciting quotes for mastication services within The Dalles Watershed, specifically targeting Skyline Ridge areas in Wasco County. The project involves fuels reduction across six units totaling 244 acres, with five units ranging from 39 to 45 acres of general mastication and a 32-acre roadside mastication zone requiring a 25-foot treatment area. Contractors must provide at least one boom-mounted masticator capable of reaching 25 feet and navigating 30% slopes, with specifications including treating trees up to 8 inches in diameter for conifers and 6 inches for oaks, maintaining 20-30 foot spacing between leave trees, and grinding material to 12 inches or less. The project is scheduled to begin April 1, 2025, and complete by July 1, 2028. Bidders must submit a completed Attachment 1 Bidders Authorized Representative Form and Attachment 2 Pricing Submittal Form by February 27, 2025. Evaluation criteria include lowest responsible and responsive bid, with consideration given to price, experience, expertise, product functionality, and contractor responsibility.

The procurement appears open to all qualified contractors, with a preference for Oregon-based businesses. Bidders must possess a valid Forest Labor Contractor License from Oregon's Bureau of Labor and Industries and maintain specific insurance coverage, including $1 million per occurrence in commercial general liability and automobile liability with $2 million aggregate limits. Two contractors have already submitted bids: TeeJay Brushing Co. with a total bid of $112,733.00 and Wyeast Timber Services with a bid of $132,420.00. The contract allows for up to a 25% increase or decrease in total acreage without changing the per-acre compensation rate. Payment will be made only for completed and certified acres, with no reimbursement for travel time, expenses, move-in/move-out costs, or demobilization. The operating guidelines include strict environmental protection measures, such as maintaining minimum distances for fuel storage and slash pile burning, and require adherence to specific access and safety protocols within the watershed area.