Portage County Woody Vegetation & Invasive Plant Management

Portage County, Wisconsin is seeking bids for woody vegetation and invasive plant management services through a Request for Bid (RFB #2018-21) issued by its Purchasing Department. The procurement covers herbicide application services on county rights-of-way, with two primary line items: woody vegetation control and invasive plant (wild parsnip) control along approximately 100 miles of county highways. Bidders must submit unit prices per mile on the provided Bid Offer Form, including hourly rate sheets, a list of proposed products, and detailed descriptions of application equipment and processes. Vendors must demonstrate five years of experience in herbicide application and provide three professional references. Key qualifications include maintaining $1,000,000 in liability insurance, $1,000,000 in automobile coverage, and employing equipment operators certified in Category 6.0 (Right-of-way and natural areas). The bid submission deadline is May 4, 2018, at 2:00 PM, with a public bid opening at the same location. The contract will run from the award date through October 31, 2018, with potential extensions requiring mutual written agreement.

The solicitation does not specify any specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The County will award the contract to the lowest overall price from a responsive and responsible bidder, reserving the right to consider factors such as service timeliness, equipment quality, and staff competence. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the contract covers herbicide application services for county rights-of-way. Contractors will be responsible for all transportation, fuel, and insurance costs, and must comply with Wisconsin Department of Transportation Highway Maintenance Manual guidelines. The County is exempt from federal excise and Wisconsin sales taxes, and contractors will assume liability for any damage claims from adjacent property owners resulting from herbicide applications. Pricing must remain firm for the entire contract period, with only market condition-related reductions permitted. No incumbent vendor information is provided in the available documentation.