Maxson Prescribed Burn & Herbicide Application

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Bureau is seeking a contractor to perform prescribed burning and herbicide treatment services on the Maxson property in Carroll County, with the primary objective of enhancing habitat for the Blanding's turtle, a state threatened species. The procurement involves conducting a prescribed burn on 46.3 acres, followed by applying a grass-selective herbicide on 32.9 acres to promote desirable vegetation growth. Bidders must provide an all-inclusive, itemized total cost per acre for both the prescribed burn and herbicide application, and meet specific minimum qualifications including carrying liability insurance for escaped fires and holding an Iowa Commercial Pesticide Applicators License. Contractors must submit a DNR-compliant burn plan and must not have lost control of a prescribed burn in the last 24 months. The Request for Quote (RFQ) was issued on February 16, 2024, with quotes due on March 5, 2024, at 2:00 PM, and the contract term is from March 13, 2024, to June 30, 2024. The DNR will evaluate responsive bids from responsible bidders and award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder based on price.

The solicitation does not explicitly specify set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. Insurance requirements include general liability coverage with limits ranging from $1 million to $2 million, automobile liability, and workers' compensation as required by Iowa law. The procurement will be processed through the Iowa Management of Procurement and Contracts System (IMPACS), with Philip Payton (+1 515-361-0743) listed as the primary contact. Potential bidders are instructed not to submit their response through the standard IMPACS system but to follow specific instructions in the Buyer Attachments section. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the contract is anticipated to be awarded on March 6, 2024, with no provisions for annual extensions. The total scope of work involves precise environmental management techniques targeting habitat improvement for an endangered species through controlled ecological interventions.