26CRDLWBBDODD-0003 - Alum Applications at Three Mile Lake, Prairie Rose Lake, and Green Valley Lake

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is issuing a Request for Quote (RFQ) for alum applications at three priority lake restoration sites: Lake of Three Fires, Green Valley Lake, and Prairie Rose Lake. The contract, numbered 26CRDLWBBDODD-0003, seeks to conduct aluminum sulfate and sodium aluminate treatments to reduce phosphorus concentrations and mitigate internal phosphorus recycling, with the primary goal of reducing algal bloom frequency and intensity. The project involves precise chemical applications across multiple lake areas, totaling 92.8 acres, with specific treatment rates for each location. The RFQ was issued on September 10, 2025, with quotes due on October 1, 2025, at 11:00 AM, and an anticipated contract execution date of November 13, 2025. Contractors will be responsible for equipment, chemical application, site access, staging, signage, and site restoration, with strict requirements for monitoring pH levels and maintaining detailed daily records. The contract term is one year, from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026, with the possibility of one annual extension. Planned application periods include spring treatments from April 1-May 1, 2026, and fall treatments for Lake of Three Fires between September 8 and November 13, 2026.

The solicitation does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Bidders are required to provide comprehensive documentation, including contact details, contractor registration, years in business, technical experience, key personnel resumes, and three professional references. The project builds upon previous research conducted by Iowa State University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Barr Engineering, which identified these lakes as optimal candidates for alum treatments due to high phosphorus release rates from sediments. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the solicitation involves substantial chemical applications, including 71,516 gallons for Lake of Three Fires, 3,494 gallons of alum, and 1,747 gallons of sodium aluminate for Prairie Rose Lake, with varying amounts for Green Valley Lake's basins. The DNR will allow a 60-day invoice payment period in accordance with Iowa Code, and the contract uses US Dollars as the primary currency. This procurement is part of the broader Lake Restoration Program (LRP), which aims to develop and implement strategic phosphorus management techniques in Iowa's lake ecosystems.