DNR RFB Goat Grazing at Sakatah Lake State Park

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources issued a Request for Bid (RFB #2026-727) for prescribed rotational goat grazing services at Sakatah Lake State Park in Le Sueur County. The procurement seeks a single responsible contractor to provide labor, equipment, materials, tools, transportation, and all incidentals necessary to implement rotational goat grazing across approximately 54 acres divided into three paddocks (17-19 acres each) from June 10 through October 15, 2026. The primary objective is to browse and defoliate at least 90 percent of available target brush, including cherry regeneration, gooseberry, buckthorn, and honeysuckle, within each paddock twice during the growing season, with the goal of restoring a historically oak-dominated dry-mesic hardwood forest that has converted to ash-dominated mesic woodlands. The contractor must mobilize a minimum of 60 goats (maximum 80 unless approved) consisting of Boer, Boer-cross, Spanish, Savanna, Kiko, or similar meat goat breeds with mixed-age composition, and is responsible for all fencing installation and maintenance across approximately 12,775 linear feet of perimeter fencing, herd watering, animal monitoring, and responding to fencing issues within 24 hours. Bid responses must be submitted electronically through the SWIFT Supplier Portal no later than April 20, 2026, at 2:00 PM, with an estimated 122 total grazing days available between June 15 and October 15, 2026. Prospective bidders are encouraged to arrange site visits by contacting Project Supervisor Neil Slifka at (507) 414-6196 or neil.slifka@state.mn.us prior to submission, and all questions must be directed to Barbara Swanson (barbara.swanson@state.mn.us, 651-259-5239) by April 15, 2026. Unit pricing must include all costs encompassing labor, materials, tools, transportation, equipment, sales tax, use tax, watering, herd monitoring, and all other expenses necessary for project completion, with the award made to the lowest responsible vendor meeting all specifications and terms.

Minnesota resident vendors may claim resident preference status if they meet statutory requirements including business authorization in Minnesota, payment of state taxes in the preceding 12 months, and a Minnesota business address; such preference applies to tied low bids or through reciprocal preference. Targeted group (TG) businesses, economically disadvantaged (ED) businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and DEED/DHS eligible providers receive preference consideration equal to 12 and 6 percent of total available points, respectively. Small businesses based in Minnesota and meeting Office of Small Business Procurement Program criteria are encouraged to apply. The contractor must provide proof of insurance upon award, including Commercial General Liability of $1,500,000 per occurrence, Commercial Automobile Liability of $1,500,000 combined single limit, and Workers' Compensation insurance, and must submit required attachments including an Animal Welfare Certification and Goat Herd Detail Form. The Animal Welfare Certification requires that no owner, operator, officer, manager, or employee of the bidding company has been convicted of or is currently charged with animal cruelty, neglect, abuse, or related animal welfare violations under Minnesota Statutes Chapters 343 and 346 or comparable laws in any jurisdiction. While no specific budget range or award value is identified in the solicitation documents, monthly invoices must be submitted with itemized billing including mobilization fees, paddock setup fees, and grazing day charges, with final payment withheld until all animals, fencing, and equipment are removed from the site.