DNR Cache woodlands II - invasive control

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is procuring invasive woody plant control and removal services for the Cache River Woodlands Phase II project located in the Marshall Ridge area of the Cache River Land and Water Reserve in Johnson County, Illinois. The scope of work involves cutting and treating broadleaf invasive species (elm, American beech, ironwood, maple, sweetgum, and hickories) and invasive shrubs and vines (autumn olive, bush honeysuckle, burning bush, Chinese privet, Oriental bittersweet, and wintercreeper) using a 50% glyphosate herbicide solution, with felled cedar material to be limbed, bucked, and dispersed rather than piled. The vendor must maintain detailed work logs documenting daily activities, herbicide usage, and hours worked, provide weekly email updates to the Primary Job Coordinator (Christina Feng), and achieve at least a 90% kill rate on all treated stems, with follow-up treatment required at vendor expense if this performance threshold is not met. The contract is structured as a firm, fixed hourly rate contract with a budgeted 500 hours of work, though the maximum contract amount will be determined by the State prior to execution. Required qualifications include a valid Illinois Department of Agriculture Commercial Herbicide Applicators License, with the owner or primary field contact possessing a minimum of two years of professional herbicide and natural area management experience, and at least 50% of on-site staff meeting the same experience requirements. No subcontracting is permitted. The contract term extends from execution through May 31, 2028, with no renewal options specified. The proposal due date is March 3, 2026, and bidders must submit hourly rate bids in the specified format.

The solicitation document does not identify any set-aside designations, disadvantaged business enterprise restrictions, or incumbent vendors. No existing infrastructure or technology integration requirements are specified for this stewardship contract. All work shall be performed at the Cache River Land and Water Reserve, representing 100% of contract value. The vendor must carry General Commercial Liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate, Auto Liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence, and Worker's Compensation Insurance as required by law, with the State named as an additional insured. The vendor bears responsibility for all herbicide materials, equipment, repairs, and any costs associated with inadequate treatment requiring follow-up work. Invoicing is limited to time spent on-site and excludes travel time. The specific maximum contract value has not been disclosed in the available solicitation materials and will be determined by the State prior to final contract execution.