DNR RFB Itasca County Forest Road Grading 2YR

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is conducting a Request for Bid (RFB Event 2026-637) for as-needed forest road grading services on approximately 130 miles of State Forest Roads in the Deer River and Grand Rapids areas of Itasca County. The procurement seeks labor, equipment, materials, tools, transportation, and incidentals necessary to perform road maintenance grading on sand and gravel roads that are 14 to 18 feet wide and designed for 25 MPH logging and recreational traffic. The work is divided into three line items: Deer River Forestry Roads (65.8 lane miles with approximately 14 grading rounds estimated over the contract term), Grand Rapids Forestry Roads (64.4 lane miles with approximately 14 grading rounds), and hourly labor rates for additional maintenance tasks as mutually agreed upon. Grading is expected to occur every 3 to 4 weeks from mid-May through October, dependent on available funding and road conditions. Qualified bidders must provide a self-propelled motor grader with a minimum of 100 net horsepower and 12-foot blade length equipped with carbide blade, scarifying teeth capability, front and rear flashing lights, a rear-mounted "Slow Moving Vehicle" sign, and an in-cab slope meter; operators must possess a minimum of two years prior grading experience and demonstrate capability to meet performance standards with minimal DNR supervision. Bidding period runs from February 13, 2026 at 4:00 PM through March 3, 2026 at 2:00 PM, with the contract term extending from May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2028 with no renewal options. Site visits are encouraged and can be arranged by contacting Project Supervisor Garrett Mann at 218-542-2951 or garrett.mann@state.mn.us. All responses must be submitted electronically through the Swift Portal with no email or faxed submissions accepted. Bid prices must include all associated costs including labor, materials, tools, transportation, equipment, sales tax, and use tax, with award made to the lowest responsible vendor meeting all specifications and terms and conditions.

The solicitation encourages participation from Minnesota Resident Vendors and provides procurement preferences for targeted group businesses, economically disadvantaged businesses, and veteran-owned businesses certified by Minnesota, which will receive preference points equal to 12 percent of total available points; DEED/DHS eligible providers will receive 6 percent preference. The State reserves the right to award items separately, by grouping items, or by total as deemed most advantageous. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the solicitation materials. Contractors requiring assistance with Swift Portal registration or bid submission may contact the Contractor Assistance Help Desk at 651-201-8100, Option 1, and all technical questions should be directed to buyer Barbara Swanson at Barbara.Swanson@state.mn.us. Direct Pay Permit 1114 does not apply to this project, meaning vendors must include sales tax and use tax in their bid pricing. No specific budget range or award value is disclosed in the solicitation; however, the scope encompasses approximately 130 miles of road grading performed on an as-needed basis over a two-year period, with pricing submitted as unit rates per mile for two-pass and three-pass grading work plus hourly rates for additional services.