DNR RFB Rice Lake SP Rx Grazing 2026 South & North

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is issuing a Request for Bids (RFB #2026-618) for prescribed rotational goat grazing services at Rice Lake State Park in Steele County. The procurement seeks a single contractor or multiple contractors to provide labor, livestock, husbandry, fencing, equipment, materials, tools, transportation, and incidental services across two separate units totaling 119 acres. The Rice Lake South Unit encompasses 57 acres divided into two paddocks (28 and 29 acres), while the Rice Lake North Unit comprises 62 acres divided into three paddocks (24, 18, and 20 acres). The primary objective is to control woody brush and resprouts, particularly buckthorn, in overgrown oak woodlands through rotational grazing. Required qualifications include submission of completed Herd Detail Forms and Prime Contractor Response Qualification Forms certifying no contract defaults or terminations for cause within the past 36 months and no OSHA willful or repeated safety citations with final orders within the same period. The South Unit requires 60 to 80 goats for approximately 138 grazing days (June 15 to October 31, 2026), while the North Unit requires 40 to 60 goats for approximately 123 grazing days (July 1 to October 31, 2026); goats must be Boer, Boer-cross, Spanish, Savanna, Kiko, or similar meat goat breeds with mixed-aged herds. Pricing must be itemized and include mobilization flat rates, paddock setup and maintenance fees, and per-day grazing rates covering all watering, herd monitoring, and incidental costs. The solicitation opened February 4, 2026, with responses due by March 5, 2026, at 2:00 PM through the Swift Portal; site visits can be arranged by contacting Project Supervisor Neil Slifka at 507-414-6196 or Site Contact Sandi Gatlin at 507-475-3317. Award will be made to the lowest responsible vendor meeting all specifications, with the State reserving the right to award items separately, by grouping, or by total.

There are no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises mentioned in the solicitation, though Minnesota Resident Vendor status may be claimed for preference consideration in tied bid situations. All contractors must comply with invasive species prevention protocols and pollinator best management practices. Commercial General Liability Insurance of $1,500,000 per occurrence and Commercial Automobile Liability Insurance of $1,500,000 combined single limit are required, with the State of Minnesota named as additional insured. If the contract exceeds $100,000, contractors must comply with affirmative action requirements. All fencing materials, energizers, and water systems are the contractor's responsibility, with no permanent hard fencing permitted on the State property. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the available solicitation documents. The budget or award value is not specified in the materials provided; however, all unit prices must include labor, materials, tools, transportation, equipment, sales tax, use tax, and all other costs necessary for project completion by October 31, 2026, with final contract completion by November 15, 2026.