DNR Butterwort Cliffs Brush Removal REBID

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is soliciting bids for a brush removal project at the Butterwort Cliffs Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) located in Cook County. The procurement involves mulching or chipping brush across approximately 5 acres within the 43-acre site near Cascade River State Park, southwest of Grand Marais. Contractors must utilize tracked equipment such as skid steers or tracked crawlers to chip/mulch brush to a maximum depth of 6 inches while avoiding rutting and land compaction. Bidders are required to submit detailed equipment specifications, including machinery make/model, horsepower ratings, hydraulic flow capacities, and cutting/mulching attachment details. Equipment operators must demonstrate a minimum of 150 hours of operating experience with the specified machinery. The bid must be submitted electronically through the Swift Portal by January 3, 2025, at 2:00 PM, with project work to be substantially completed by June 16, 2026, and final completion by June 30, 2026. A site visit is recommended but not mandatory, and the DNR will determine whether vendors meet the project specifications.

The procurement encourages participation from Minnesota-based small businesses, with specific preferences for minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, and businesses owned by individuals with substantial physical disabilities. Veteran-owned small businesses can receive a 12% preference on the first $2 million of the bid. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder meeting all specifications, with a unit price that must include all associated costs such as labor, materials, tools, transportation, equipment, and applicable taxes. Contractors must provide comprehensive insurance coverage, including workers' compensation, commercial general liability ($1.5 million per occurrence), and automobile liability ($1.5 million combined single limit). While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the project involves brush removal across 5 acres and will require specialized tracked equipment and experienced operators. The solicitation is subject to pollinator best management practices and invasive species prevention requirements, with payment to be made based on project completion and potential partial payments as work progresses.