FY26 Darke W. A. Pond Dam (Slope) and Trail Clearing

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is seeking bids for vegetation control services at the Darke Wildlife Area, specifically targeting dam maintenance and trail clearing. The project involves clearing herbaceous and woody vegetation from six pond dams (W1, W2, W3, W4, W6, and W7), including their slopes, and the emergency spillway of pond W5. Contractors must clear and widen trails for all seven ponds, with a total trail length of approximately 8,200 linear feet. A mandatory pre-bid site visit is scheduled for October 23rd, 2025, at 10:00 AM EST, and attendance is required for bid eligibility. The work must be completed by June 30th, 2026, with specific restrictions on cutting woody vegetation greater than 5 inches in diameter breast height, which can only be done between October 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder through Ohio Buys, with bidders required to submit separate bids for dam clearing and trail clearing, as well as a combined total bid.

The procurement opportunity appears open to various contractors, with an emphasis on compliance with minority and diverse business participation requirements. The state encourages participation from Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and Executive Diversity, Growth and Equity (EDGE) vendors. Contractors must be tax-exempt, comply with Ohio laws, maintain workers' compensation coverage, and affirm no findings of recovery or trade restrictions. The contract includes strict requirements regarding offshore services, with contractors prohibited from performing services outside the United States without prior approval. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the contract includes provisions for invoicing and payment, with invoices to be submitted to Financial Shared Services and payment processed within 30 calendar days. Contractors must provide all necessary labor, materials, and equipment, ensuring daily cleanup of the job site and maintaining specific vegetation clearing standards, including cutting vegetation within 3 inches of ground level and maintaining a 20-foot trail width with 8-foot height clearance.