Invasive species services - phragmites & semiaquatic plants

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Parks & Recreation Division, Stewardship Unit is soliciting proposals for invasive species control services at 21 state parks and recreation areas, focusing on eliminating non-native phragmites and other invasive herbaceous species including purple loosestrife, flowering rush, reed canary grass, non-native cattail, and knotweed. The procurement is structured as a Request for Proposal (RFP#250000002642) with a bid due date of July 25, 2025, at 9:30 AM EST. Contractors must hold an invasive species pre-qualification certification and be commercial pesticide applicators, with mandatory requirements including GPS mapping, specific herbicide application techniques, and comprehensive surveying of treatment areas. The project timeline requires completion between August 1, 2025, and September 27, 2025, with pre-bid meetings scheduled at Algonac, Bay City, Port Crescent, and Sterling State Parks. Evaluation will be conducted through a technical pass/fail assessment of work plans, personnel qualifications, and prior experience, followed by a pricing review for technically qualified proposals.

The contract will be bid on a lump sum basis per park, with bidders able to submit proposals for any combination of parks. While no specific set-aside designations were mentioned, contractors must use approved herbicides like Glyphosate, Imazapyr, and Triclopyr, applying them with strict guidelines to minimize damage to native vegetation and protect endangered species. The pricing must comprehensively include all costs for equipment, labor, herbicide, and transportation, with no additional charges permitted beyond the original bid price. Although a specific budget range was not explicitly stated, the contract allows for partial awards and gives the state the right to select the most advantageous proposal. Contractors will be responsible for achieving specified kill rates and may propose alternative herbicides to ensure project success. The state reserves the right to award the contract in full or in part, based on its assessment of the best interest of the state.