DNR Processing Teacher Sub Stipends

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry, is soliciting proposals for qualified firms or individuals to administer, process, and disburse substitute teacher stipend payments to participating school districts, enabling primary teachers to attend DNR forestry education events, with proposals due July 31, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Central Time. This Quick Call is open to all qualified vendors, with preferential consideration available to certified veteran-owned businesses and Minnesota-based small businesses majority-owned by racial minorities, women, persons with substantial physical disabilities, or service-disabled veterans, or businesses located in economically disadvantaged counties under Minnesota's Small Business Procurement Program.

The responder must possess at least five years of experience in accounting, timekeeping, and funds management, with documented financial handling processes including two-person verification procedures for check writing. A critical operational requirement is maintaining at least $13,500 in disposable cash reserves to pay school districts upfront before invoicing the DNR for reimbursement plus the responder's processing fee. The responder's income is derived solely from the per-stipend processing fee charged; all stipend amounts are reimbursed by the DNR following itemized invoicing documenting each payment to schools.

The contractor must maintain Commercial General Liability Insurance of $2 million per occurrence, Commercial Automobile Liability Insurance of $2 million per occurrence, and Professional Liability Insurance of $2 million per claim. The initial contract term is one year, with options to extend for four additional years. Approximately two to three forestry education events are expected annually.

Evaluation is weighted across Qualifications and Skills (350 points), Approach to Project (350 points), and Cost (300 points). The DNR reserves the right to create a short-list for interviews or request best and final offers. Questions are due July 22, 2026. All responses must be submitted exclusively through the SWIFT eSupplier portal; email and fax submissions will not be accepted. Contact Monica Lynn Hanson at 507-233-1240 or monica.hanson@state.mn.us.