BLM GJFO MASTICATION FY26

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items for Mastication services for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Grand Junction Field Office (GJFO) in Colorado. The acquisition is set aside for small businesses. The North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) code is 115310 – Forest Fire Suppression, with a small business size standard of $34.0 million. The Product Service Code (PSC) is F003 – Forest Range Fire Suppressions Presuppression Services. The resulting purchase order will be a firm-fixed price type.

• Mastication Services: Treatment of vegetation (Pinyon, Juniper, and Mixed Mountain Shrub) across two units totaling approximately 611 acres.

  • Unit 1 (Farmers): Approximately 468 acres, located 22 miles south of Grand Junction. Focus on masticating 50% of mixed mountain shrub and all juniper under 24" DBH.
  • Unit 2 (Corcoran Peak): Approximately 143 acres, located 18 miles north of Grand Junction. Focus on masticating 75% of mixed mountain shrub and all juniper under 8" DBH.

• Vegetation Reduction: Reduce vegetation to mulch material (minimum 80% less than 1" diameter and 6" long), scattered evenly, not exceeding 8" deep piles.

• Equipment: Contractor to provide equipment (skidder, tractor, excavator) with a mounted masticator/mulcher (vertical or horizontal shaft).

• Biomass Removal: Option for contractors to remove and utilize woody biomass via a separate negotiated sales contract.

• Environmental Considerations: Avoid Ponderosa Pine, minimize damage to Sagebrush, protect cultural/paleontological sites, and avoid areas flagged by COR/PI. Work is restricted between May 15 and July 15 to protect migratory birds.

• Hazardous Materials: Comply with all regulations regarding hazardous materials and petroleum products. No on-site disposal is authorized.

• Fire Safety: Adhere to fire prevention and safety provisions; operations may be curtailed or stopped due to wildland fire danger.

• Contract Type: Firm-fixed price purchase order.

• Period of Performance: Estimated to begin July 15, 2026, with an end date of November 15, 2026 (approximately 113 calendar days).

• Estimated Value: $34.0 million (small business size standard).

• Questions Due: Friday, May 29, 2026, 9:00 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time.

• Quotes Due: Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 9:00 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time.

• Submission Method: Quotes to be submitted via email to daniel_rosales@ios.doi.gov.

• Evaluation: Quotes will be evaluated on a comparative basis, considering Technical Capability, Relevant Experience, and Price. No formal scoring will be used.

• Key Requirements: Offerors must be registered and active in the System for Award Management (SAM). Unique Entity ID (UEI) and CAGE code must be submitted with the quote.

• Set-Aside: 100% set-aside for small business.

• A site visit is not scheduled, but vendors may visit the site at their convenience. Contact COR Jacob Pollert (jpollert@blm.gov) for site visit questions.

• Technical questions should be submitted via email to the Contracting Officer.

• The solicitation documents incorporate provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2026-01.

• Attachments include SOW, maps, wage determinations, and provisions/clauses.

Statement of Work (SOW)

This Statement of Work (SOW) outlines the requirements for vegetation treatment by mastication in two units within the Grand Junction Field Office (GJFO) area of Western Colorado. The primary goal is to manage Pinon/Juniper and Mixed Mountain Shrub vegetation.

• Total Acreage: Approximately 611 acres across two units.

• Treatment Method: Mastication (grinding/mulching) of targeted vegetation using contractor-furnished equipment (e.g., Hydro-Ax, Fecon Bull Hog).

• Unit 1 - Farmers: Mastication of encroaching Pinyon, Juniper, and mixed mountain shrub. Approximately 468 acres. Focus on 50% of mixed mountain shrub and all juniper under 24" diameter at breast height (DBH). Ponderosa Pine is to be avoided. Sagebrush damage minimized.

• Unit 2 - Corcoran Peak: Mastication of mixed mountain shrub and encroaching juniper. Approximately 143 acres. Focus on 75% of mixed mountain shrub and all juniper under 8" DBH in a mosaic fashion, avoiding sagebrush where possible. Pockets of pinion/juniper greater than 8" DBH may be left untreated.

• Biomass Removal Option: Contractors may have the option to remove and utilize woody biomass through a separate negotiated timber/vegetative sales contract, provided project work is on schedule and removal is completed before contract expiration.

• Slope: Average slope less than 30%.

• Crown Cover: Less than 45%.

• Mulch Material: Minimum 80% of woody material less than 1" in diameter and 6" long, scattered evenly, not in piles greater than 8" deep.

• Stumps: Shall not exceed 6 inches in height.

• Acceptable Quality Level (AQL): A minimum AQL of 85 percent is required for work acceptance.

• Measurement: Acreage measured and paid for by the number of acres treated, using GPS on a horizontal plane.

• Location: Mesa County, Colorado (Unit 1 near Grand Junction, Unit 2 north of Grand Junction).

• Notice to Proceed: Expected approximately July 15, 2026.

• Period of Performance: Ends November 15, 2026. Work to be completed within 113 calendar days of Notice to Proceed.

• Work Restrictions: Operations will cease during times of rutting (greater than 3 inches) or excessive soil disturbance. Work will not occur between May 15 and July 15 to protect migratory birds.

• Contractor Furnished: Equipment (skidder, tractor, excavator with masticator/mulcher), operators, transportation, fuels, lubricants, and repairs.

• Government Furnished: Georeferenced maps (shapefile or KML polygon available), flagging for areas to avoid, and GPS measurement of treated areas.

• Noxious Weeds: Contractors must power-wash or comparable clean all equipment prior to transport to the project area to prevent the spread of noxious weed seeds.

• Hazardous Materials: Compliance with all State and Federal regulations for use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials.

• Fire Prevention: Adherence to fire prevention measures, including availability of fire extinguishers. Operations may be curtailed due to wildland fire danger.

• Cultural Resources: Contractor must avoid disturbing identified cultural, paleontological, or scientific sites. Discovery of human remains or artifacts requires immediate notification and cessation of activities in the vicinity.

• Pre-bid Inspection: No formal pre-bid inspection tour will be held, but units are accessible for contractor inspection. Contact COR Jake Pollert or PI Ken Miller for questions.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a map illustrating the "Corcoran Unit Mastication" project area within the FY26 West Zone Mastication initiative. It serves to visually define the geographical boundaries of the mastication work.

• Project Title: FY26 West Zone Mastication - Corcoran Units
• Area Highlighted: Corcoran Unit Mastication
• Total Acres: 143 Acres
• Land Ownership: Delineates Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land and Private land within the project vicinity.
• Topographical Features: Includes elevation markers (e.g., 6848 ft, 7974 ft, 7255 ft, 8017 ft) and a creek (Jerry Creek).
• Location Context: Shows surrounding counties (Garfield, Mesa, Delta) and a general inset map of Colorado.
• Scale and Orientation: Includes a map scale (0 to 1 Miles) and a north arrow.

This map is crucial for bidders to understand the precise location and extent of the area where mastication services are to be performed. It helps in assessing the terrain, accessibility, and scale of the project, which are vital for accurate bidding and project planning.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Wage Determination (WD) issued under the Service Contract Act (SCA). It establishes the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits that must be paid to various occupational classifications of service employees performing on federal contracts for forestry, land management, cleaning of public use areas, and timber inventory services within the state of Colorado.

• Applicable Area: State of Colorado, covering all counties.
• Occupational Classifications & Rates: Lists specific job titles (e.g., Brush/Precommercial Thinner, Forestry Equipment Operator, Tree Planter) with their corresponding minimum hourly wage rates.
• Fringe Benefits: Details required fringe benefits, including Health & Welfare rates, and provisions for Vacation and Holidays.
• Executive Order (EO) 13706: Notes the applicability of paid sick leave for federal contractors.
• Executive Order 13658: Mentions the minimum wage requirements for certain contracts.
• Uniform Allowance: Outlines requirements for contractor-provided uniforms and maintenance.
• Conformance Process: Describes the procedure for classifying and determining wages for occupations not explicitly listed in the wage determination.

This wage determination is critical for bidders responding to solicitations that include forestry, land management, or timber inventory services in Colorado. Bidders must ensure their proposed labor costs and pricing reflect these minimum wage and fringe benefit requirements to be compliant. Failure to adhere to these rates can lead to non-compliance and impact proposal evaluation.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a map illustrating the "Farmer's Unit" designated for "FY26 West Zone Mastication" by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Grand Junction Field Office. It serves to visually define the geographical area of the mastication project.

• Project Title: FY26 West Zone Mastication
• Unit Name: Farmer's Unit
• Area: 468 Acres
• Geographic Location: Depicts an area within Mesa, Delta, and Montrose Counties, Colorado, with specific features like Big Dominguez Creek and trails noted.
• Map Features: Includes roads (e.g., A627Z, 627, 026, 028), canyons, and a prominent blue-shaded area representing the "Farmer's Unit" mastication zone.
• Legend: Differentiates between "Farmer's Unit Mastication - 468 Acres," "Bureau of Land Management," and "US Forest Service" areas.

This map is crucial for potential bidders to understand the precise location and extent of the mastication work. It helps in assessing the scope of the project, planning site visits, and understanding the terrain and access routes relevant to the "FY26 West Zone Mastication" opportunity.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a map providing an overview of the "FY26 West Zone Mastication" project area. It details the locations of mastication units within the Corcoran Unit and Farmer's Unit, as well as other land management areas.

• Project Title: FY26 West Zone Mastication
• Geographic Areas: Corcoran Unit Mastication (143 Acres) and Farmer's Unit Mastication (468 Acres).
• Land Ownership/Designations: Delineates Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, National Forest Service, State, County, City Recreation Areas, Other Federal, and Private lands.
• Topography and Features: Shows roads, creeks, and general terrain.
• Scale and Location: Includes a map scale in miles and indicates the general location relative to towns like Grand Junction, Fruita, and Palisade.

This map is crucial for potential bidders to understand the geographic scope and specific locations of the mastication work. It helps in visualizing the project area, identifying adjacent land ownership, and assessing the logistical context of the opportunity.

Solicitation Provisions

This document outlines solicitation provisions incorporated by reference and by full text, providing essential instructions and requirements for offerors responding to this solicitation. It details how provisions are incorporated and where to access their full text.

• 52.203-11: Certification and Disclosure Regarding Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions

• 52.203-18: Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements-Representation

• 52.204-7: System for Award Management (DEVIATION MAR 2026)

• 52.209-12: Certification Regarding Tax Matters

• 52.240-90: Security Prohibitions and Exclusions Representations and Certifications (DEVIATION MAR 2026)

• 52.212-1: Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (DEVIATION MAR 2026)

• Submission of Offers: Offers must be signed, dated, and submitted by the specified deadline, including solicitation number, offeror's contact information, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), EFT indicator, information for evaluation factors, responses to required representations/certifications, and a statement of agreement with terms.

• Period for Acceptance: Offerors must hold prices firm for 60 calendar days from the receipt date.

• Late Submissions: Late offers, modifications, revisions, or withdrawals will generally not be considered unless received before award and determined not to unduly delay acquisition.

• Evaluation: The Government will award to the responsible offeror whose quote is most advantageous, using a comparative evaluation process without formal scoring. The evaluation factors are:

  • Technical Capability: Demonstrated understanding of project requirements, scope, contract documents, organization, staffing, safety, sustainability, energy efficiency, risk management, and a schedule for SOW completion.
  • Relevant Experience: A list of at least two similar jobs completed or ongoing in the past five years, with specific details provided for each.
  • Price: Total evaluated price.

• Award: A written notice of award will result in a binding contract. The Government may accept offers, reject any or all offers, and waive informalities.