DNR RFB Flandrau State Park Goat Grazing

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking a contractor to perform prescribed rotational goat grazing services at Flandrau State Park in Brown County, targeting 27.7 acres of oak savanna and woodland terrace forest communities. The primary objective is to reduce density of woody shrubs and invasive plant species, including buckthorn, garlic mustard, dames rocket, prickly ash, honeysuckle, and raspberries. The contractor must provide 70-90 mixed-age meat goats (specifically Boer, Boer-cross, Spanish, Savanna, or Kiko breeds) and be responsible for comprehensive site management, including fencing, water supply, herd monitoring, and rotational grazing. The solicitation requires bidders to submit detailed pricing for four line items: mobilization, paddock setup and maintenance, daily grazing rates, and a grazing report. The procurement is structured as a Request for Bid (RFB) with an open bid period from April 25, 2025, to May 2, 2025, with all responses required to be submitted electronically through the Swift Portal. A site visit can be arranged by contacting the Project Supervisor at 507-233-1226, and the project is scheduled for two grazing periods: May 15th to June 30th and August 15th to October 15th.

The solicitation includes potential preferences for Minnesota resident vendors and veteran-owned small businesses, with additional requirements for bidders with 40 or more full-time employees to obtain an Equal Pay Certificate from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. Contractors must provide proof of insurance and comply with specific provisions regarding goat breed selection, herd composition, and chemical de-worming restrictions. While a specific contract value is not explicitly stated, the bid requires comprehensive pricing that includes labor, materials, tools, transportation, equipment, sales tax, and all incidental costs necessary for project completion. The state reserves the right to award the contract to the lowest responsible vendor meeting all specifications, with potential for awarding items separately or by total depending on what is most advantageous. Evaluation criteria will include compliance with solicitation requirements, pricing, and the ability to meet the technical specifications for invasive species management through rotational goat grazing.