Elk Creek IRSC RMRP Stewardship Call Order

Background
The Elk Creek Integrated Resource Service Contract (IRSC) is a multi-project solicitation issued by the USDA Forest Service, aimed at improving forest health and resilience while supporting local economies. This initiative may award four separate projects: Atlantis, Diamond, Jade, and Pearl.

The projects are guided by two Environmental Assessments (EAs) that focus on increasing forest resistance to mountain pine beetle outbreaks and high-intensity wildfires, as well as enhancing the resiliency of forest landscapes and communities to wildfire impacts.

Work Details
The contract involves various mandatory work activities across four contract areas: Atlantis, Diamond, Jade, and Pearl. Key tasks include:
1. Cutting and removing included timber on specified acres for ground-based operations and steep slope logging.
2. Road reconstruction activities including mobilization, establishing clearing limits, selective clearing, drainage excavation, linear grading, aggregate base course grading, road reconditioning, and seeding.
3. Vegetation treatments such as commercial thinning to reduce stand density, removal of pine overstory to promote regeneration of ponderosa pine, and removal of encroaching conifers to restore hardwood stands and meadows.

The total estimated price magnitude for all project areas is between $250,000 and $500,000.

Period of Performance
The period of performance varies by project area: Atlantis and Diamond are expected to be completed by June 30, 2029; Jade by September 30, 2030; and Pearl also by September 30, 2030.

Place of Performance
All projects will be performed in Lawrence and/or Meade Counties in South Dakota.