DNR-Vegetation Management for Unclassified Dams

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, through the State of Ohio Department of Administrative Services, is soliciting bids for recurring annual vegetation management on unclassified dams across multiple Wildlife Areas statewide under ITB035832, with bids due May 29, 2026. Attendance at a minimum of one mandatory site visit is required; bidders who fail to attend any of the five scheduled visits (May 12–20, 2026) will be deemed non-responsive. Bidders must hold a Commercially Licensed Pesticide Applicator License from the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

The scope covers year-round mowing of grass and herbaceous vegetation to a maximum height of 18 inches, and treatment or removal of woody vegetation with diameter at breast height less than five inches on wetland embankments. Woody debris exceeding five inches must be removed from the site and invoiced by tonnage with weight slips; smaller woody material may be mulched on-site unless directed otherwise. Services span five Wildlife Areas: Magee Marsh (Oak Harbor), Big Island (New Bloomington), Woodbury (Warsaw), Woodland Trails (Camden), and Mosquito Creek (North Bloomfield). The contract runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, with one-month renewal options thereafter at the agency's discretion; cumulative renewals may not exceed 48 months unless the agency determines additional renewal necessary.

Pricing must be submitted on a unit-cost basis per work unit, with award to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. All pricing must include materials, herbicides, equipment, qualified and certified labor, transportation, logistics, and equipment mobilization. Prices remain firm for 12 months; thereafter, contractors may request increases supported by documentation of cost increases in raw materials, labor, freight, workers' compensation, or unemployment insurance. A temporary fuel adjustment clause permits adjustments after 12 months if statewide or national fuel costs increase more than 20 percent from contract award.

Contractors must attend annual kick-off meetings within 30 days of award and before February 1 each subsequent year, complete on-site field visits by April 1 annually, and submit detailed work plans by May 1 each year for agency approval before purchase orders are issued by July 1.