REQUEST FOR PROPOSALSPennsylvania Game Commission

Northeast RegionSeptember 18, 2012

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is facilitating a habitat project to create early successional growth on SGL 236, Ararat and Herrick Townships, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. The project includes 6 cutting blocks totaling 42 acres. The project area will be delineated with blue paint. All trees, 2” DBH and up, not marked as residuals (red paint), are to be felled. There is an estimated range of 339-1363 stems per acre to cut. Most of these trees range from 2”DBH to 10”DBH, but some 12” DBH to 40” DBH are included. The project is located along PA Game Commission roads and state route 2023.

Project Goals and Duties

Goal

Create and maintain early successional growth in Aspen/ Northern Hardwood ecosystem.

Duties

The contractor will be responsible for felling all unmarked trees 2” DBH and up within the project area. The contractor awarded the job will adhere to the direction of the PGC forestry staff as to what and where to cut. The use of mechanized equipment will be allowed. Stump heights should be as close to the ground as possible but must not be greater than one foot. Stems will be completely severed from the stump. The contractor will need to avoid concentrating cut trees in clumps or piles. All felled material will be pulled back 25 feet from existing roads and food plots. Damage to blue painted boundary and red painted reserve trees is to be avoided. As the treatment area contains some seasonably wet soils, site damage will be monitored. The OIC may suspend cutting or require hand felling if excessive damage will result from operations. The operator is asked to voluntarily clean equipment as best as possible before moving to the site to minimize the introduction of invasive species.

If the operator desires to remove any products from the site a performance bond in the amount of $7,000.00 will be required in the form of a Certified Check or a Postal Money Order drawn to the order of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. A bank Irrevocable Letter of Credit may be posted provided the bond has an expiration date a minimum of 1 year beyond the expiration date of the timber contract. The location of roads used and landings must be approved by the OIC. The operator will be required to grade and seed all disturbed areas to the following per acre specifications: 2 tons pulverized limestone, 300 lbs 10-20-20 fertilizer, 6lbs White Dutch Clover (Inoculated), 4 lbs. Crimson Clover (Inoculated,) 6 lbs Birdsfoot Trefoil, (Inoculated), & 50 lbs. Oats (spring). Grading and seeding work must be completed by June 15, 2013. Performance bond will not be released until seeding is completed. Operator will have to comply with an E & S plan and any other actions it requires. This paragraph applies only to contractors who will remove materials from the area.

Contract Term

The cutting is to be completed during the fall/ winter of 2012-2013, between October 15, 2012 and March 1, 2013. The cutting period may be extended by the OIC if dormancy is still maintained. The contract will end June 30, 2013.

Items to be addressed in your bid

Background Qualifications – Describe the history of the company, including any previous involvement with similar projects, and/or forest biodiversity management issues/practices.

Equipment – Describe the equipment and approach that will be used to complete this project.

Pricing/Fee Structure – One price for completion of the delineated project is requested.

Insurance Requirements:

A. The contractor will provide Workmen’s Compensation insurance sufficient to cover all employees of contractor working to fulfill this contract.

B. Comprehensive General Liability Insurance, including bodily injury and property damage insurance, to protect the Commonwealth and the contractor from claims arising out of the performance of the contract. The amount of Bodily Injury Insurance shall not be less than $300,000.00 for injury to or death of persons per occurrence. The amount of Property Damage Insurance shall not be less then $300,000.00 per occurrence.

Such policies shall name the Commonwealth as an additional insured. Prior to the commencement of work under this contract, the contractor must provide the Commonwealth with current Certificates of Insurance. These Certificates shall contain a provision that coverage afforded under the policy shall not be canceled or changed until at least thirty (30) days prior written notice has been given to the Commonwealth.

Hold Harmless:

The contractor shall be responsible for and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Commonwealth from and against damages to property or injuries (including death) to any persons and other losses, damages, expenses, claims, demands, suits, and actions by any party against the Commonwealth in connection with the work performed by the contractor.

Site Visit

A voluntary site visit is planned for:

Date: September 28, 2012

Time: 1000 Hrs.

Location: Parking area at the intersection of SR 374, 371, and 171.

GPS Position: 41.739937 N, -75.481396 W

Questions concerning the Request for Proposal, the purchase order, or bidding should be directed to Bobbi Mercer at 717-787-6594.

For questions about the services requested or the location contact: Alan Painter, Asst. Regional Forester, alpainter@pa.gov Cell: 570-406-6698