Deschutes NF, Site Preparation - Mowing and Road Brushing

The Deschutes National Forest, under the Department of Agriculture, has issued a Firm-Fixed-Price award for site preparation services within the Sisters Ranger District. The project focuses on the mastication of 761 acres of brush and the brushing of 3.528 miles of roads to facilitate future reforestation efforts. Performance is scheduled from March 30, 2026, through November 30, 2026. This contract is a Total Small Business Set-Aside, requiring the contractor to utilize specific industrial equipment, including a Type 2 Excavator with a minimum of 111 HP and a dedicated forestry mulching head. Contractors are responsible for mowing snowbrush, bitterbrush, and manzanita while strictly adhering to environmental protections, such as minimizing soil disturbance, preserving trees at least 4.5 feet tall, and cleaning equipment to prevent the spread of noxious weeds. The project mandates rigorous safety and fire prevention compliance, including the submission of a job-specific safety plan and adherence to Industrial Fire Precaution Levels. Performance is monitored through visual inspections and verification plots, with payment based on measured acreage and mileage. Award selection is based on best value, evaluating technical capability and past performance as threshold factors before considering price.