Downeast Maine Community Wildfire Protection Plan

Background
The State of Maine, through the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, specifically the Maine Forest Service's Forest Protection Division, is seeking proposals from qualified environmental consulting firms to develop a comprehensive Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).

This initiative aims to address wildfire risks in the towns of Dennysville and Whiting, along with the unorganized territories of Cathance Twp, Marian Twp, Edmunds Twp, and Trescott Twp in Washington County. The mission of the Maine Forest Service is to protect forest resources and homes from wildfires and enforce natural resource laws. The CWPP will help mitigate wildfire risks in areas prone to wildfires due to factors such as limited access and fire-prone forest types.

Work Details
The contractor will create a CWPP that includes:
- Collaboration with local governments, fire departments, the Maine Forest Service, County Emergency Management Agencies, and private landowners.
- Identification and prioritization of hazardous fuel reduction areas, including firebreaks and roadside thinning.
- Recommendations for reducing structural ignitability near residential homes, public buildings, commercial properties, powerlines, and railroad tracks.
- Use of wildfire risk assessment data at both individual home and community levels.
- Creation of detailed spatial data and static maps for the project area.
- Recommendations based on the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy for hazardous fuel reduction and wildfire prevention education.
- Development of a five-year action plan with timelines for implementation.
- Participation in at least three community meetings to gather input from residents and stakeholders.
- Delivery of three hard copies of the CWPP and a digital version via secure file sharing.

Period of Performance
The initial period of performance is from May 15, 2026, to June 30, 2028. There are options for two renewal periods: Renewal Period #1 from July 1, 2028, to June 30, 2029; Renewal Period #2 from July 1, 2029, to June 30, 2030.

Place of Performance
The contract will be performed in Washington County, Maine specifically covering Dennysville, Whiting, Cathance Twp, Marian Twp, Edmunds Twp, and Trescott Twp.

Bidder Requirements
Bidders must demonstrate experience in developing CWPPs or similar projects. They must comply with security controls for handling state information as outlined in Appendix F. Bidders are required to provide documentation related to their qualifications including certifications or licenses relevant to environmental consulting.