DNR Ferne Clyffe glades

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is procuring woody invasive control and habitat restoration services for the Ferne Clyffe Glade Restoration project at Ferne Clyffe State Park in Johnson County, Illinois. The project scope includes cutting stems with chainsaws, treating broadleaf species stumps with 50% glyphosate herbicide solution, cutting and treating invasive shrubs and vines, limbing and bucking eastern red cedar, and ensuring cut materials do not compromise trails or firebreaks across multiple sandstone glade corridors and surrounding woodland and barrens buffers. The primary objectives are to control woody invasive species and improve natural community quality and habitat for threatened and endangered species. Deliverables include daily work logs documenting work completed, herbicide usage, and hours worked; weekly email updates; and monthly invoices. Vendors must achieve at least a 90% kill rate on all cut stems, with follow-up treatment at vendor expense if this threshold is not met. Required qualifications include a valid Illinois Department of Agriculture Commercial Herbicide Applicators License, with all herbicide applicators holding either Commercial Herbicide Applicators or Operators licenses; the vendor's owner or primary field contact must have a minimum of two years of professional experience in herbicide use and management within Illinois natural areas that includes at least one designated high-quality natural area; and at least 50% of onsite herbicide applicators must have two years of professional experience in southern Illinois within qualifying natural communities. The contract term runs from final execution through May 31, 2028, with a maximum total contract term not to exceed ten years including any renewals or extensions. Vendors must provide 24-hour notice before beginning work and respond to coordination with the Primary Job Coordinator, Christina Feng, Natural Heritage Biologist, and Site Superintendent Jay Massey. The deadline for submission is March 3, 2026.

No set-aside designations or restrictions limiting respondents to specific categories of disadvantaged enterprises are noted in the procurement documentation. Subcontractors are not permitted; however, up to 49% of work may be performed by subcontractors if they meet all vendor qualifications and requirements. The standard terms and conditions require vendors to maintain General Commercial Liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence with $2,000,000 annual aggregate, Auto Liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence, and Worker's Compensation Insurance as required by law. No prevailing wage requirements are applicable to this contract. The procurement is for firm pricing with vendors required to submit hourly bids based on an estimated 500 hours of work; the total maximum contract amount will be determined by the State prior to execution. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the available documentation, and no specific existing infrastructure or technology requiring integration is noted.