2026 Cover Crop & Buffer Strip Installation

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Environmental Services Section, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), is soliciting proposals through Request for Proposal No. 260000001946 for cover crop and buffer strip installation services at the River Raisin Watershed Bank Site in Bridgewater Township, Washtenaw County. The primary deliverable involves seeding approximately 40 acres with an MDOT-approved native upland seed mixture consisting of permanent grasses and forbs, with work including site preparation, staging, aerial drone application, and debris removal. Contractors must complete all seeding activities between the contract start date of May 25, 2026, and the project completion deadline of June 15, 2026, with final acceptance determined through aerial and visual inspection. Key personnel must possess a minimum of five years of specialized experience in wetland plant material installation and provide three current references. Evaluation criteria include responsiveness to all mandatory requirements—completion of the Confidential Treatment Form, Vendor Questionnaire, Statement of Work (Schedule A), pricing proposal, key personnel resumes, and agreement with standard contract terms—with contract award to the responsive and responsible bidder receiving a Pass on all evaluation criteria with the lowest price. Bidders must submit written questions by 3:00 p.m. EST on May 12, 2026, with answers posted by May 13, 2026, and all proposals must be submitted electronically through www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS in modifiable native formats by 3:00 p.m. EST on May 18, 2026. The pricing proposal must be submitted as a separate file and include all materials, staging, and aerial drone application costs in a single line-item total.

The State of Michigan will consider Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business preferences under applicable state law. All contractors and subcontractors must register with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity under Public Act 10 of 2023 and comply with prevailing wage requirements for Washtenaw County, with wage rates ranging across multiple trade classifications and fringe benefits including vacation, health insurance, dental coverage, and 401(k) contributions. Contractors are required to furnish performance and lien bonds each equal to 100 percent of the total contract price and maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate), Automobile Liability ($1,000,000 per accident), and Workers Compensation according to applicable law. No incumbent vendor or existing contractor is referenced in the procurement documents. The contract does not specify an explicit award value or budget range; however, contracts valued at $250,000 or more require State Administrative Board approval. All undisputed invoices are payable within 45 days of State receipt via Electronic Funds Transfer, with liquidated damages assessed at daily rates ranging from $500 to $4,000 per day if the contractor fails to meet the June 15, 2026 completion deadline.