FY26 WEST DOLORES RIM MASTICATION

The West Dolores Rim Mastication Project is a small business set-aside acquisition under solicitation 140L3726Q0076, issued by the Bureau of Land Management through the National Interagency Fire Center, targeting approximately 132 acres of BLM land near Egnar, Colorado. The work involves mechanical mastication of pinyon and juniper vegetation to reduce hazardous fuels, improve wildlife habitat, and open dense canopy conditions by selectively removing 50 percent of live trees—balanced between species—and 50 percent of shrubs over 36 inches in height, converting them into mulch to enhance ecosystem resilience. The project is scheduled for performance between August 15 and November 30, 2026, with work to be conducted at a site accessible via Highway 141, two miles east of Egnar. The contract is structured as a firm-fixed-price purchase order under simplified acquisition procedures, evaluated on a Low Price Technically Acceptable basis, with only the four lowest-priced quotes proceeding to technical review. Offerors must demonstrate technical acceptability by meeting all minimum requirements in the Statement of Work, including submitting a detailed treatment plan, operations plan approved by the Contracting Officer’s Representative, and a safety plan addressing hazards such as falling debris and dead trees. Technical proposals must include three relevant forestry projects completed within the last five years and a five-page narrative covering the proposed approach, staffing, management, safety protocols, and ability to meet deadlines. The contract requires key personnel to be assigned with no diversion without written approval, and a fully English-speaking representative must be on-site at all times. The contractor must maintain complete records of inspections, ensure mulch material meets the 60 percent threshold of being larger than 4 inches in diameter and 12 inches long, and comply with an 85 percent Acceptable Quality Level standard for work acceptance. Payment is tied directly to government inspection results, with full payment awarded for work quality at 95 percent or above, partial payments for 85 to 94 percent, and prorated payments for work below AQL if accepted. Contractors must register in SAM.gov, submit a signed SF 1449 and completed representations, and provide a release of claims using form DI-137 prior to final payment. All invoices must be submitted electronically through the Treasury’s Invoice Processing Platform and include detailed line-item data. The contractor is also responsible for fire security services throughout the project duration