Trail Construction and/or Hazard Tree Removal in California

San Gabriel Mountains National Monument 

Strawberry Peak Trail Construction and Hazard Tree Removal 

Excerpt Below: Download the Complete RFP

Project Statement of Work 

Background: The Strawberry Peak Trail is within the Upper Big Tujunga drainage of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. It was a popular site for hiking, mountain biking, and picnicking until the 2009 Station Fire resulted in extensive damage that rendered much of the trail impassable. In 2012, the Angeles National Forest (ANF) initiated consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to analyze a range of ongoing activities (including recreation) across the Forest to determine their impacts on Federally-listed species. The Strawberry Peak Trail and trailhead were included in this consultation because they are both located in occupied and designated critical habitat for the federally endangered arroyo toad (Anaxyrus californicus). This consultation was completed in 2013 when the USFWS issued the Ongoing Activities Biological Opinion, which included the following Conservation Measure: “The ANF will reroute the Colby Trail (12W05) to connect the existing Colby Bridge trailhead with the trail at a higher point outside the 82-foot elevation contour.” 

Scope: The National Forest Foundation (NFF) is seeking a contractor to complete all necessary tasks associated with:* 

1. Construction of approximately five hundred and fifty (550) meters of new trail. Trail construction will take place using a variety of hand tools, power tools, and limited mechanized equipment such as a skid steer, sweco, mini excavator, etc. All vegetation will be removed from the new trail footprint, including trimming branches from the adjacent shrubs and small trees to ensure clearance. Where visible, contractor will remove and/or block user-created trails. 

2. Dropping approximately twenty (20) dead hazard trees. These standing dead trees are sufficiently tall enough to hit the new trail footprint. The contractor will drop these snags to ensure public safety on the new trail. As much as possible, snags will be cut to fall in a direction away from the new trail and along the contour (i.e., not pointing downhill), in order to not contribute to soil erosion. All dropped trees will not be bucked into smaller pieces but left in place as down woody debris to provide wildlife habitat in the area. 

*Please note: 

1. The National Forest Foundation will accept for quotes for one or both tasks. You may bid on solely the trail construction, solely on the tree removal, or both components. 

2. The National Forest Foundation will be the Contracting Officer for this grant. The Forest Service will serve as a partner and will communicate with NFF for tasks related to this project, but please direct questions and quotes to the NFF. 

3. The new trail route and hazard trees will be flagged by a separate contractor prior the commencement of work. 

Project Timeline: Quotes are due by April 3, 2020. Please provide an anticipated timeline with your quote. 2 

Pre-work Conference: Prior to commencement of work, the Contractor shall meet with the NFF and the 

Angeles National Forest to discuss contract terms, work performance requirements and work progress schedules. Also, at this meeting such things as sanitation, camping requirements, fire prevention and suppression plans will be developed. The meeting will be held at a time and place determined by the 

NFF. 

Camping: Under the terms of this Contract, camping is not permitted in Forest Service Campgrounds. 

The Contractor may be permitted to camp elsewhere on the National Forest. Camping on the National 

Forest is not a right; and shall be subject to approval by the Contracting Officer. 

Wet Weather Operations: Contractor operations may be conducted outside the Normal Operating 

Season subject to certain requirements and Forest Service approval. The wet weather /winter season normally begins approximately November 1st and ends approximately May 1st. 

Please send your quotes to Brian Robey, brobey@nationalforests.org. NFF will select the Contractor(s) after reviewing the bids received. Once the Contractor is selected, we will prepare a separate contract document. NFF anticipates Contractor selection by April 10, 2020. 

Prison Hill Recreation Area (Carson City, NV)

The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) is requesting qualifications for trail layout and design and trail construction management for the Southern end of the Prison Hill Recreation Area, located within Carson City.

In 2018 NOHVCC partnered with Carson City to develop an off-highway vehicle (OHV) management plan for the Prison Hill Recreation Area. This effort was funded by grant funds from the Nevada Commission on Off-Highway Vehicles. In 2019, we received additional funding from the Commission to partner with a qualified trail professional to utilize the information and guidelines found in the management plan to provide layout and design for high quality OHV trails at the Prison Hill Recreation Area. In 2020 funding has once again been awarded to provide for the implementation of the management plan and trail designs.

The Contractor will work under the overall direction of and in conjunction with NOHVCC staff. The selected Contractor will:

1. Manage and oversee the construction and implementation of the 2020 Prison Hill Trails Plan.

2. Recommend adjustments to the Trails Plan as priorities change or issues develop.

3. Manage and oversee the closure, rehabilitation, and erosion control plan for Prison Hill.

4. Manage and oversee the installation of signs according to the Prison Hill Recreation Area OHV Sign plan.

5. Manage and oversee the installation fencing and signing for a boundary separating the motorized and non-motorized portions of Prison Hill.

6. Conduct monitoring of use and issues as per the trail monitoring plan.

7. Assist Carson City with the implementation of their educational plan to inform the public about the new trails plan, rules, and guidelines coming to the Prison Hill Recreation Area.

8. Provide mapping and GIS information for all new routes and facilities designed as part of this project.

9. Assist in developing plans, specifications, and drawings and other materials for construction contract packets.

10. Prioritize work and organize volunteer work parties.

The Prison Hill Recreation Area is 1848 acres, but this project will only address the 954 acres which comprise the southern portion of the property. These 954 acres are managed for multiple use recreation by the Carson City Department of Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Department.

As a minimum, NOHVCC requires that eligible vendors:

1. Possess demonstrable experience in OHV trail construction and its management.

2.     Demonstrate experience in OHV trail reconnaisance, design, and location.

3.     Demonstrate experience in writing OHV specifications and preparing OHV construction contracts.

4. Possess demonstrable experience in OHV project management including grant reporting and working effectively with local agencies; the media; and volunteers

5. Have or acquire a working knowledge of the Prison Hill Recreation Area including its history, its issues, and the OHV management plan.

6.     Possess and demonstrate experience operating OHVs.

NOHVCC requests a statement of qualifications by March 27, 2020 5 pm PST. Submissions will be accepted in either paper or digital form. NOHVCC will review qualifications and select a vendor; a project scope and budget will then be negotiated with that firm. NOHVCC reserves the right to select another vendor should negotiations be unsuccessful. The preferred start date for field work is May 4, 2020.

For more information on the project please contact Marc Hildesheim, NOHVCC Program Director, at 208-416-3557 or marc@nohvcc.org.