Native Landscape Contractor for Green Infrastructure

The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) on January 21, 2026, to pre-qualify native landscape contractors for future green infrastructure projects across Milwaukee County and Mattoon Village, Wisconsin. This pre-qualification opportunity anticipates two to six contract awards within a 24-month eligibility period beginning February 18, 2026, and ending February 18, 2028. The District seeks contractors capable of delivering comprehensive native landscape services including native plant seeding, installation of native plugs, invasive species management, tree removal and installation, and multi-season vegetation establishment. Work will encompass three primary contract types: Green Highway Construction projects (bioretention basins and stormwater trees at sites such as Holt Avenue and Tory Hill Street overpasses), Reforestation and Wetland Restoration Program contracts (small wetland restorations under five acres), and Fresh Coast Green Communities construction projects (constructed wetlands, bioretention basins, rain gardens, and maintenance activities). Qualified contractors must demonstrate five years of experience managing native landscapes, current Wisconsin Commercial and Individual Pesticide Applicator Licenses, and proven expertise in native plant community management, invasive species management, native nursery crop seeding, and tree and shrub planting. Project Managers must have managed at least one similar multi-year contract spanning a minimum of two consecutive years, while Onsite Supervisors must hold current Wisconsin Commercial Pesticide Applicator certifications. The submission deadline was February 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. CST, with qualified contractors to be notified by February 25, 2026. Qualification packages must include a transmittal letter (maximum two pages), firm qualifications and references documentation covering three completed or in-progress contracts within the last five years (maximum three pages), and key staff experience and qualifications (maximum ten pages), submitted through the District's Bonfire procurement platform at https://mmsd.bonfirehub.com/ referencing TS-2750.

The RFQ does not restrict participation to specific organization types or designations, though contractors currently pre-qualified under TS-2755 (Native Landscape Contractor for Watercourse & Land Stewardship) are automatically considered pre-qualified and need not submit additional materials. This is a pre-qualification process without pricing evaluation, and contractors cannot be awarded contracts or subcontracts without prior qualification package submittal and District approval; all contractors must resubmit for approval after the February 18, 2028 deadline regardless of their initial submittal timing. Qualification packages may be submitted at any time during the 24-month eligibility period, allowing flexibility in the application process. The procurement documents do not identify incumbent vendors, current contractors, or specific budget ranges for the anticipated contracts. All respondents bear their own costs associated with preparing and submitting qualification packages to the District.