DNR RFB Halma & Twin Lakes Summer Brush Mow

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is soliciting bids for a brush mowing and mulching project in Kittson County, specifically targeting the Halma and Twin Lakes Wildlife Management Areas. The procurement seeks a contractor to mulch and/or mow up to 150 acres of brushland habitats, focusing on woody vegetation including willow, dogwood, young aspen, and other brush/tree species up to 6" in diameter at breast height (DBH), while preserving mature and young oak trees with DBH 2" or greater. Contractors must provide specialized equipment such as a rubber tracked skid steer, tracked crawler, rotary axe, or mulching tractor with specific horsepower and hydraulic flow requirements, and operators must demonstrate a minimum of 250 hours of relevant experience. The bid response must be submitted electronically through the Swift Portal by January 22, 2025, with work to commence no earlier than July 15, 2025, and reach substantial completion by August 29, 2025, with final completion by September 30, 2025. Award will be made to the lowest responsible vendor meeting all specifications, with the DNR reserving the right to award items separately or by total bid, whichever is most advantageous to the state.

The solicitation includes provisions for vendor preferences, offering a 12% preference for certified veteran-owned small businesses on the first $2,000,000 of the bid response, and potential consideration of Minnesota Resident Vendor status in resolving tied low bids. Contractors must complete and submit a Qualification Form demonstrating completion of at least one similar contract since August 1, 2020, with a minimum project size of 100 acres and value of $30,000 or greater. Bidders must also show they have not been found in default, had a contract terminated for cause in the last 36 months, or received willful or repeated OSHA safety citations. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the contract will be awarded for the maximum number of acres possible based on available funding if the lowest bid exceeds current budget allocations. Partial payments may be issued during the project, not to exceed 80% of the total bid price, with final payment contingent upon completion and acceptance. The contractor must also comply with Minnesota's pollinator best management practices and invasive species prevention requirements.