Woods Full Removal Fuels Reduction Project

South Dakota Wildland Fire is requesting proposals for hazardous fuels reduction treatment on approximately 54 acres near Argyle, South Dakota (Section 12, Township 6S, Range 4E) under RFP #26RFP19884, with proposals due August 7, 2026 at 3:00 PM MST. SDWF reserves the right to contract with multiple vendors.

The scope includes thinning ponderosa pine, spruce, cedar, and juniper to an average spacing of 25 feet between trees; removing insect-infested and damaged wood; and disposing of slash through chipping, mulching, or grinding methods. All material removed for biomass utilization accrues to the contractor at no cost to the landowner or SDWF, with salvage rights granted to offset project costs.

Evaluation weighs per-acre cost at 25%; proposed method of performance and project management at 20%; experience and proven history at 10%; expertise of personnel at 10%; proposed biomass utilization at 10%; familiarity with project site through site visits at 10%; resources available at 5%; availability to project at 5%; and proposed timeline at 5%. Pricing is evaluated on a per-acre basis, with progress invoices permitted at 10-acre intervals upon state approval and GPS submission. For pile-burning projects, payment is 75 percent of per-acre cost upon cutting completion and 25 percent upon burn completion.

The contract term is one year with renewal options at one-year intervals under the same terms and conditions, subject to state appropriations and mutual agreement. Contractors must maintain commercial general liability insurance of $1 million per occurrence, business automobile liability insurance of $1 million per accident, and workers' compensation insurance as required by South Dakota law.

Site visits are scheduled for July 23 and July 28, 2026. Written inquiries close July 31, 2026 and should be directed to Lane Ostenson at Lane.Ostenson@state.sd.us with the subject line "RFP # 26RFP19884." Award decision and contract negotiation are anticipated by August 11, 2026. Submissions require an original and three identical copies, sent by email to SD_WFFuels@stateofsouthdakota.onmicrosoft.com or by mail to the Wildland Fire office in Custer, South Dakota.