Request for Proposals: Contract for Licensed Foresters to Address Tree Farm Inspection Backlog

Hope Light
1 day ago
2 min read

Date: July 17, 2026

Proposals Due: August 17, 2026

Introduction

The Maine TREE Foundation, in collaboration with the Maine Tree Farm Program, is seeking to contract with up to five (5) Licensed Foresters who are certified Tree Farm Inspectors. The primary objective is to address the backlog of approximately 899 Tree Farms in our database that have not undergone an inspection in five-plus years.

Scope of Work

The selected contractors will be responsible for coordinating and conducting inspections of the identified Tree Farms and providing outcomes that may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Decertification: Identifying Tree Farms that should be decertified due to reasons such as:

No longer being owned by the registered landowner
The landowner is deceased with no designated successor
Lack of interest from the landowner
Land was developed for non-forest use, leaving less than 10 acres of contiguous forest.

2. Referral for Recertification: Referring landowners interested in recertification to a consulting forester.

3. Re-certification Process: Facilitating the re-certification process, including completing inspections when necessary, for eligible Tree Farmers and/or making referrals to the Maine Tree Farm county chair for any additional services required.

The selected contractors will work as a team and collaborate with Maine Tree Farm Program County Chairs to triage, assign, and conduct inspections consistently.

Proposal Requirements

Interested candidates must submit a proposal that includes, at a minimum, the following components:

Qualifications: Evidence of a Maine Forester's License and Tree Farm Inspecting Forester credential, along with a track record of completing Tree Farm Inspections
Proposed Approach: A description of the methodology for conducting inspections and managing referrals, and addressing the Tree Farm inspection backlog
Travel: A description of a preferred geographic focus area and willingness to travel throughout the state
Timeline: An estimated timeline to complete the inspections and provide outcomes.
Cost Proposal: A detailed breakdown of the proposed costs associated with the inspections and any additional services.