SCOPE  & LOCATION
The purpose of the project is to maintain the early successional habitat characteristics of designated wildlife openings. Contractor shall be able to identify and remove all unwanted woody vegetation 3-inches and less Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) in project area via mechanical mowing (i.e. bush hog). Contractor shall use a GPS device to stay within designated boundary area and access routes. 
Approximately 97.2 acres of early succession land may be awarded to be mowed. Base amount is 46.4 acres (units # 1-21) with potential optional line items being awarded pending funds up to an additional 50.8 acres. Work may begin on July 1, 2025, and run through November 30, 2025.
BACKGROUND
The project area occurs within Hoosier National Forest which includes streamside, roadside, steep/narrow trails, open-land, forest habitats and karst features (i.e. sink holes).

Wildlife opening units 2-7, 13-14, 18-25, and 27-30 were last mowed in 2019, and units 8-12, 15-16, and 26 were last mowed in 2021. Additionally, units 1, 3-5, 11, 13, and 14 were included in a prescribed burn in spring of 2024. Previous mowing specification in 2019 and 2021 were the same as current contract solicitation specifications.

Access routes will be cleared by Forest Service (FS) personnel of any major logs blocking access before Start of the contract. Any trees that come down after will be the contractors’ responsibility. FS personnel may be responsible if downed trees are complicated (i.e. large size, high volume or large clusters). 

Wildlife opening boundaries and access trails will not be flagged by FS personnel. This will all be determined by the use of a GPS device. 

Access routes may tend to wash out due to high volume of rains especially at creek crossings. FS personnel will have the access passable for machinery before start of contract. If the access route washes out, the contractor shall get permission from the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) before implementing improvements to gain access safely. It is important to note that the access route leading to wildlife openings 13 and 14 are historically wet year-round, so special care may be necessary to avoid rutting or other resource damage.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Begins July 1, 2025, and concluding end of day on November 30, 2025.