DNR_RFB John A. Scharf Memorial WMA Woody Removal

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking bids for woody removal services at the John A. Scharf Memorial Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Stevens County. The procurement involves cutting trees, piling and burning them, and applying herbicide treatments across approximately 21 acres, including 13.1 acres of dense tree removal and 7.7 acres of mowing and mulching work. Contractors must provide a comprehensive solution that includes labor, equipment, materials, tools, transportation, and herbicide application. Key qualifications include completing two verifiable contracts as a prime contractor since December 2021, with one contract valued at $45,000 or greater and another at $20,000 or greater. Contractors must possess a current Minnesota Commercial Pesticide Applicators License and cannot have been found in default, had a contract terminated for cause in the last 36 months, or received willful or repeated OSHA safety citations. The bid submission deadline is February 10, 2025, at 2:00 PM, with project completion required by April 7, 2025. Interested bidders can arrange site visits by contacting Project Supervisor Jake Rambow at (320) 634-7320 or (320) 905-5049, and all responses must be submitted electronically through the SWIFT Portal.

The solicitation includes a veteran-owned small business preference of 12% on the first $2 million of the bid response, potentially providing opportunities for specific business categories. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly mentioned, the procurement appears open to qualified contractors meeting the specified requirements. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible vendor meeting all specifications and terms, with the state reserving the right to award items separately or by grouping. The pricing structure requires separate costs for mobilization (lump sum), woody removal in dense and scattered tree areas, pile burning, and mowing/mulching. Although a specific budget range is not provided, the qualification requirements suggest an expected contract value of at least $65,000 based on the previous contract experience requirements. The project includes specific environmental considerations, such as equipment cleaning protocols to prevent invasive species spread and strict guidelines for tree pile placement, with piles required to be at least 300 feet from property boundaries and 150 feet from cattail wetlands.