Michigan Native Wildflower Savanna Seed Mix

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Michigan Native Wildflower Savanna Seed Mix procurement designed to support Karner Blue Butterfly habitat restoration in the Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District. The solicitation seeks 7.625 lbs of native wildflower savanna seed mix and 3.5 lbs of grasses per acre, covering a total of 42 acres, with specific requirements for 16 wildflower species and 5 grass species. Seed must be Michigan genotype, with potential substitutions allowed from the Ecological Region of the Laurentian Mixed Forest Province upon DNR approval. All seed must be pure live seed (PLS) and packaged in individually sealed bags with proper labeling. Key procurement dates include February 11, 2025, for question submissions, February 20, 2025, for proposal due date, and a contract start date of February 27, 2025, with seed delivery required between September 15-30, 2025, to the DNR Baldwin Field Office. Evaluation criteria are not explicitly detailed in the documents, but the DNR reserves the right to award to multiple vendors, and contractors may bid on individual items they are capable of providing.

The RFP does not specify explicit set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or minority-owned businesses. No incumbent vendors are mentioned in the provided documentation. The procurement appears to be funded through federal provisions, which may introduce additional compliance requirements. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the procurement involves a comprehensive seed mix for habitat restoration targeting an endangered butterfly species. The DNR indicates that pricing must remain firm for the entire contract term, with potential adjustments considered only for documented cost changes. The solicitation is technically structured to allow flexibility, permitting vendors to bid on specific seed components they can reliably supply. The overall project is tied to the Karner Blue Butterfly Recovery Plan, suggesting this procurement is part of a broader ecological conservation strategy in Michigan's forest management efforts.