September 3, 2025: Bids opened & all bidders contacted.
Request for Bids (revised July 1, 2025)
Wildlands South Trailhead Renovation Project
Project Description:
Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust (GPMCT), a nonprofit land conservation organization based in Bucksport, Maine, is seeking to hire an earthwork contractor to construct an expansion of our South Gate trailhead located at 1574 Acadia Highway, Orland Maine. Trees will need to be cleared and stumped to install the new circular lot around an island of trees that is to be preserved as much as possible. The project will include an aggregate pad for a kiosk, site preparation for a future maintenance building and site preparation for a vault toilet to be provided by the owner and delivered on order. The four foot wide aggregate trails are provided by the owner. Please reference the enclosed site plan.
- Circular parking area is approximately ~17,500 Sq. Feet
- The maintenance area, vault toilet and associated improved road is ~12,500 Sq. Feet
- Building site is 80 x 80 feet
- 3 handicapped accessible spaces, 17 standard spaces
- Additional parking for 2 school buses/horse trailers
- Yardage Estimate:
| a. Common borrow | 750.00 | CY | rough grading for parking lot and accessible trail |
| b. Aggregate Base | 1366.00 | CY | 18″ under parking and drive |
| c. Surfacing | 325.00 | CY | surfacing |
- Protective Fencing is negotiable and serves to protect existing trees and forest floor in the center of the lot from all impacts associated with construction.
- 4’ wide walking trails on site plan are to be done by owner at later date, not part of bid.
This project is being funded in part by the Federal Highway Recreational Trails Program as administered by Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, Grants & Community Recreation Program, and is designated as Recreational Trails Project #2521
Project Location
The project is on the GPMCT Wildlands property, a 5200-acre preserve in Orland, Maine. The Parking area is adjacent to the existing parking area at 1574 Acadia Highway, Orland, along the western side of the Valley Road.
Project Management:
GPMCT’s Land Manager will be the Project Manager to support this project, who will be consulting with the Executive Director. The Project Manager will be overseeing day-to-day design questions and decisions, ensuring compliance with specifications regarding style and erosion prevention methods, and will help address any unforeseen challenges.
Timeframe:
Exact time-frame is negotiable. Work must be complete by September 30, 2026
Payment Schedule
Payment schedule will be agreed upon and finalized with the contractor upon selection. Payment will come from GPMCT.
Bid Questions
- Questions about bid specifications should be made via email: southtrailhead@greatpondtrust.org
- Answers to questions will be shared with all prospective contractors
- All bid documents and answers to questions will be posted at https://www.greatpondtrust.org/southtrailhead/ Password: South
- Field visits on request
Bid Includes:
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- Review existing flagged layout and work with project manager to recommend and make adjustments
- Installation of design seen in site plan to specification of site plan- deviations from site plan to be approved by Project Manager.
- All erosion control strategies and structures, including rip rap, excelsior or jute mesh, retaining walls, silt fence, EC berms, etc.
- All disturbed ground must be seeded with native seed mix and mulched with straw at conclusion of construction
- Bids must show separate total costs for: Circular parking area, Existing Road Improvements, Site prep: maintenance facility and site prep: vault toilet.
Erosion Control
The Wildlands is managed for wildlife habitat, as well as recreation and forestry, and there are sensitive ponds, brooks and wetlands in the watershed, downhill of the Trail. It is of utmost importance that the contractor install and maintain all erosion and sedimentation measures where required.
Other Requirements
- The lead contractor shall be fully insured for all work activities, tree clearing, road construction, workers comp etc.
Bid Information Requested:
- Contact GPMCT immediately to schedule contractor field visit
- Budget summary outlining costs for: circular parking area, Mait. Site preparation, Vault toilet site prep, road improvements north of the circle.
- Description of methodology or approach, including the phases of construction
- Suggestions for potential cost savings
- List of all equipment (make, model, weight (excavator)
- Provide contact information for on-site supervisor
- Anticipated timing of work schedule and description of seasonal availability
- Qualifications
- Proof of liability insurance, with coverage of $1 million
Bid Selection Process
Bids will be publicly opened at 10:00 am Wednesday, September 3rd 2025 at GPMCT’s office. Bid selection will occur within three weeks, and each applicant will be contacted by September 25th, 2025. The Trust will select a bid based upon competitive pricing, qualifications, and schedule availability. We reserve the right to reject any and all bids.
Bid Deadline
Friday, August 29th 2025, 5 pm, delivered to GPMCT PO Box or via email (see below)
Process Timeline
Field Visits on Request
Aug 29, 2025: Bid Deadline
September 3, 2025: Bids opened
September 25, 2025: All Bidders contacted
As Soon as Possible: Construction begins
September 30, 2026: Completion Deadline
Contact Information
Malcolm Richardson, Land Manager
Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust
PO Box 338, Bucksport, Maine 04416
email: southtrailhead@greatpondtrust.org
Bidder Questions and Answers
(none yet)