DNR Groundwater Discharge Sampling & Analysis for CLSP

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is soliciting proposals for groundwater discharge sampling and analysis services at Clear Lake State Park in Atlanta, Michigan through a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued March 16, 2026. The procurement seeks a qualified contractor to provide comprehensive monitoring and laboratory analysis services for a wastewater treatment facility operating under EGLE Groundwater Discharge Permit GW1010022, which authorizes the discharge of sanitary sewage from five discharge points through septic tanks and subsurface disposal systems. The contractor's primary deliverables include effluent quality sampling at multiple locations, groundwater monitoring well sampling from eight monitoring wells, laboratory analysis using EPA analytical methods, equipment calibration, quality assurance and quality control procedures, regulatory reporting, and compliance documentation on monthly, quarterly, and annual schedules. Key qualifications required include the ability to manage monitoring for five septic systems and eight groundwater monitoring wells, maintain certified treatment operator standards, provide detailed sampling procedures consistent with the Sampling and Analysis Plan, and ensure compliance with all state and federal regulatory requirements. The evaluation criteria emphasize technical capability, experience with groundwater monitoring, adherence to QA/QC procedures, and the contractor's ability to meet strict reporting timelines and regulatory deadlines. Critical deadlines include a March 23, 2026 deadline for bidder questions, with answers posted by March 27, 2026, and a firm proposal submission deadline of 9:30 a.m. Eastern on April 10, 2026. The anticipated contract begin date is May 1, 2026, with a three-year contract term aligned with the park's operating season of May through October.

The RFP does not specify any set-aside designations or restrictions limiting competition to particular enterprise categories, indicating an open procurement process. The contractor must comply with all state contract terms, including provisions for background checks, facility security, ADA compliance for digital deliverables, and prevailing wage requirements if applicable. Insurance requirements include Commercial General Liability with minimum limits of $2,000,000 general aggregate, Automobile Liability Insurance of $1,000,000 per accident, and Workers' Compensation Insurance. The contractor must appoint a dedicated program manager available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, and must submit pricing as a firm, fixed annual cost for a 365-day period with potential adjustments in subsequent periods based on documented changes in actual contractor costs. Liquidated damages provisions of $5,000 plus $100 per day apply for late or improper completion, and $1,000 per individual per day for unauthorized removal of key personnel. No specific budget or award value is disclosed in the solicitation documents, though the contract is structured as a three-year firm, fixed-price arrangement with annual cost estimates required for water sampling, analysis, monitoring, supplies, and reporting.