Notice of Intent to Award-Rye Planting Clare and Gladwin Co

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Procurement Services Office issued Request for Proposal #190000002968 on August 8, 2019, seeking a contractor to perform fall rye planting across 77.4 acres in Gladwin and Clare Counties. The primary objective of this procurement was to secure a vendor capable of executing comprehensive rye planting services, with specific delivery requirements and geographical constraints. Bid responses were due on August 15, 2019, at 3:00 p.m., with an evaluation process conducted by a committee including Bruce Barlow as Project Manager and Patrick Avendt as DNR Buyer. The evaluation criteria focused on identifying the lowest responsive bid from a responsible vendor, with submissions measured against published technical specifications. Key deliverables included site preparation, seed planting, and completion of the rye planting across the designated acreage in the specified counties.

The procurement appeared to have no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on vendor participation. Two vendors submitted bids for the project: Grove's Lawn Care & Tree Service from Beaverton, MI, and Kill Zone Food Plots. Grove's Lawn Care was recommended for award at $16,900.29, which represented the lowest bid and was significantly less than the competing bid of $23,220.00. The procurement was identified as a one-time purchase, suggesting no ongoing contract or multi-year commitment. The total project budget was approximately $16,900, with the potential for State Administrative Board approval pending final review. No information was provided about incumbent vendors or existing infrastructure requirements, and the solicitation appeared to be a straightforward, competitively bid agricultural service contract focused on rye planting in specific Michigan counties.