Bill Rollo GEMS & KC Cutacross Openings Maintenance

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Division is seeking proposals for forest opening maintenance through a Request for Proposal (RFP) targeting approximately 40 acres across two specific locations: the Bill Rollo Memorial Grouse Enhanced Management System (GEMS) with 23.55 acres and KC Cutacross with 15.63 acres. The procurement involves comprehensive habitat enhancement work, including disc or no-till seeding, fertilizer application, and mowing, specifically designed to improve wildlife habitat for grouse, white-tailed deer, and other early successional wildlife species. Contractors must provide their own equipment, including tractors with 24-inch minimum diameter discs, fertilizer and seed spreaders, and cultipackers, and must apply specific seed mixes featuring rye, various clover types, and oats, along with 19-19-19 and 5-14-42 fertilizers. The RFP was issued on April 24, 2025, with proposal submissions due by May 9, 2025, and an anticipated contract period from June 15, 2025, to September 30, 2025. The DNR will evaluate proposals based on technical criteria and contractors' ability to complete the maximum possible acreage, with work scheduled to be completed between June 15th and August 15th, 2025.

The project is funded through multiple sources, including the Deer Range Improvement Fund (DRIP), Turkey Habitat dollars, and Pittman Robertson Funds, suggesting potential opportunities for various contractor types. While no specific set-aside designations or disadvantaged enterprise requirements are explicitly mentioned in the provided documentation, the RFP appears open to qualifying contractors with appropriate agricultural and habitat management equipment and expertise. The total project budget is not precisely defined, but the scope involves maintenance of approximately 40 acres with detailed specifications for seeding, fertilization, and mowing. The contract represents a specialized ecological management opportunity focused on wildlife habitat improvement in Marquette County, Michigan, with potential future opportunities for similar habitat enhancement projects. The procurement process emphasizes technical capability and operational efficiency, with the DNR seeking contractors who can effectively execute the specified habitat maintenance requirements.