This is a service / maintenance or supply contract in Atkins, Iowa. Contact the soliciting agency for additional information.

Qualified and experienced companies or vendors with a demonstrated history of successful tree and/or vegetation removal are invited to submit proposals for the Atkins Roundhouse.Tree/Vegetation Removal located at 7051 Ben/Ln Rd, Atkins, IA. The Owner of this project is Benton County managed by Benton County Conservation Board. Project information/Scope: II. Project Description This project involves the removal and disposal of trees and other vegetation in an assigned area of Atkins Roundhouse Area, Atkins, IA. This project is intended to complete clearing, grubbing, and trimming needs of storm damaged trees and other undesirable woody vegetation to allow for restoration projects. All woody vegetation will be removed unless designated by Conservation staff. All vegetation must be piled for burning, grubbed, or removed from site entirely. III. Scope of Work/Description of Services The Scope of Services to be provided is described below: Debris distribution/removal on 78 acres to create openings to enable tree planting and natural regeneration. 1. The Contractor shall furnish all equipment and labor associated with the proposed tree and vegetation clearing, grubbing, trimming and removal work involved with this project as noted below. The Contractor shall retain the salvage value of any removed materials. 2. The Contractor shall provide appropriate traffic control for trail closure(s) and provide notice to the BCCB so proper public advance notifications can be made to area trail users. 3. No debris can be left on service roads/trails. 4. Pull down all unattached hangers or leaners on dead or alive standing trees when it can be done safely. 5. Cut all live tree species stems 10 inches and less in diameter (measured 4.5 feet off the ground) flush/flat to the ground. 6. To enable access for tree planting and routine management, all treetops & slash may be removed from the site. Chips can be left onsite as long as they are no more than 3 inches deep. 7. Logs on the ground may be removed 8. Quality trees over 10 inches in diameter (i.e. Oak, Black Walnut, Shagbark Hickory, Sugar Maple, etc.) can be left scattered across the opening if present. Scattered dead stems not adjacent to the trails/service roads can be left standing if not a risk to surroundings. 9. No unexposed root balls are to be disturbed (standing trees must be cut). All stumps are to be ground/cut to ground level. Root balls of previously uprooted trees are to be put into burn piles or removed from site. 10. Burn piles must be within the east section noted on the map in the bid documents, to remain out of the city limits. Fires cannot be started when wind is N, E, or NE to keep smoke from town. 11. Important: All work will be completed between November 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025 when the ground is frozen or dry. Based on Benton County Conservations judgment, if conditions are not appropriate work will be stopped until conditions are again favorable for the management activities. Careless felling or use of machinery can cause more long-term damage to the forest resource than was already there. Avoid contacting the base, trunk, and branches of live residual trees when felling trees or skidding brush. Bid Requirements and Submission Information: Bids will be considered by the Benton County Conservation Board at its meeting on October 14, 2024. Benton County Conservation Board hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively insure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, sex, or national origin in consideration for an award. Benton County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage all small and minority owned firms and women's business enterprises to participate. This project is being supported with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Community Development Block Grant, Disaster Recovery grant funding. Therefore, certain restrictions and other federal requirements attach to this opportunity. Award of contract is subject to the requirements of the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Pursuant to the requirements of the Community Development Block Grant, Davis-Bacon wage rates are to be used on this project. Current wage rates are available, and it is the Contractor's responsibility to make sure that they are using the most current rates at the time of bid opening. Wage rates should be reviewed prior to submitting a proposal the day of bid opening. A detailed listing of all subcontractors shall be provided by the Bidder. In accordance with the Contract Documents, documentation that the prospective General Contractor and its subcontractors meet minimum qualifications shall be provided and submitted. A detailed listing of all subcontractors shall be provided by the Bidder. In accordance with the Contract Documents, documentation that the prospective General Contractor and its subcontractors meet minimum qualifications shall be provided and submitted. Current Davis Bacon wage specifications are attached. The contract will require incorporation of provisions required by the CDBG Program, including a Section 3 clause, which is attached. Section 3 requires that recipients of HUD financial assistance to the greatest extent feasible, provide employing and contracting opportunities for low- or very-low income residents if/when new employee hiring is required due to the scope of the project. Requirements in hiring include the consideration of low- or very-low income residents, but firms maintain sole discretion in candidate selection. As such, an Intent to Comply with Section 3 form is attached and must be returned as part of the proposal. This bidding process follows Iowa Code Ch. 26, Iowa Construction Bidding Procedures. Each bidder shall accompany the bid with a bid security as defined in section 26.8. Benton County Conservation, Iowa does hereby reserve the right to reject any or all bids, to waive informalities, and to enter into such contract, or contracts, as it shall deem to be in the best interest of the jurisdiction. Please contact Shelby Williams at swilliams@bentoncountyparks.com with any questions. SECTION 3 LANGUAGE FOR PROCUREMENT DOCUMENTS AND CONTRACTS A. The work to be performed under this contract is subject to the requirements of Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, as amended, 12 U.S.C. 1701u (Section 3). The purpose of Section 3 is to ensure that employment and other economic opportunities generated by HUD assistance or HUD-assisted projects covered by Section 3, shall, to the greatest extent feasible, be directed to low- and very low-income persons, particularly persons who are recipients of HUD assistance for housing. B. The parties to this contract agree to comply with HUD's regulations in 24 CFR part 75, which implement Section 3. As evidenced by their execution of this contract, the parties to this contract certify that they are under no contractual or other impediment that would prevent them from complying with the part 75 regulations. C. The contractor agrees to post copies of a notice advising workers of the Contractor's commitments under Section 3 in conspicuous places at the work site where both employees and applicants for training and employment positions can see the notice. The notice shall describe the Section 3 preference, shall set forth minimum number and job titles subject to hire, availability of apprenticeship and training positions, the qualifications for each; and the name and location of the person(s) taking applications for each of the positions; and the anticipated date the work shall begin. D. The contractor agrees to provide written notice of employment and contracting opportunities to all known Section 3 Workers and Section 3 Businesses. E. The contractor agrees to employ, to the greatest extent feasible, Section 3 workers or provide written justification to the recipient that is consistent with 24 CFR Part 75, describing why it was unable to meet minimum numerical Section 3 Worker hours goals, despite its efforts to comply with the provisions of this clause. F. The contractor agrees to maintain records documenting Section 3 Workers that were hired to work on previous Section 3 covered projects or activities that were retained by the contractor for subsequent Section 3 covered projects or activities. G. The contractor agrees to post contract and job opportunities to the Opportunity Portal and will check the Business Registry for businesses located in the project area. H. The contractor agrees to include compliance with Section 3 requirements in every subcontract for Section 3 projects as defined in 24 CFR part 75, and agrees to take appropriate action, as provided in an applicable provision of the subcontract upon a finding that the subcontractor is in violation of the regulations in 24 CFR part 75. The contractor will not subcontract with any subcontractor where the contractor has notice or knowledge that the subcontractor has been found in violation of the regulations in 24 CFR part 75. I. The contractor will certify that any vacant employment positions, including training positions, that are filled (1) after the contractor is selected but before the contract is executed, and (2) with persons other than those to whom the regulations of 24 CFR part 75 require employment opportunities to be directed, were not filled to circumvent the contractor's obligations under 24 CFR part 75. J. The contractor will certify that they have followed prioritization of effort in 24 CFR part 75.19 for all employment and training opportunities. The contractor will further certify that it meets or exceeds the applicable Section 3 benchmarks, defined in 24 CFR Part 75.23, and if not, shall describe in detail the qualitative efforts it has taken to pursue low- and very low-income persons for economic opportunities. K. Noncompliance with HUD's regulations in 24 CFR part 75 may result in sanctions, termination of this contract for default, and debarment or suspension from future HUD assisted contracts. Section 3 Business Concerns are encouraged to respond to this proposal. A Section 3 Business Concern is one that satisfies one of the following requirements: 1. It is at least 51 percent owned and controlled by low- or very low-income persons; 2. Over 75 percent of the labor hours performed for the business over the prior three-month period are performed by Section 3 Workers*; or 3. It is a business at least 51 percent owned and controlled by current public housing residents or residents who currently live in Section 8-assisted housing. * A Section 3 Worker is defined as any worker who currently fits or when hired within the past five years fit at least one of the following categories, as documented: 1. The worker's income for the previous or annualized calendar year is below the applicable income limit established by HUD; 2. The worker is employed by a Section 3 business concern; or 3. The worker is a YouthBuild participant.