Prepare up to 18 acres within a timber sale

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Forest Resources Division, issued Request for Proposal No. 180000002476 seeking a contractor to perform site preparation and mulching services at the Brighton Tree Improvement Center in Livingston County near Howell, Michigan. The scope of work encompasses mulching and brush clearing of approximately 18 acres of woody material, including slash and brush up to 1 inch in diameter, using equipment such as skid steer loaders, stump grinders, whole-tree chipping, hydro-ax mowing, or similar machinery. Deliverables include complete mulching and site preparation of the designated acreage with protection of existing irrigation infrastructure, restoration of roads to original condition, and adherence to American National Standards Institute Z-133.1 safety standards. The contractor must designate a Project Manager with a minimum of five years of arboricultural operations experience and five years of project management experience to provide full-time on-site supervision. Key requirements include scheduling a pre-work meeting with the DNR Project Manager, posting safety signs, maintaining weekly contact with project management, submitting weekly progress reports and a final completion report within two weeks of project finish, and ensuring all equipment is removed from the site within one week of completion. The work must commence after contractor approval and be completed and invoiced by September 15, 2018, with bidders required to submit questions by May 11, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time and proposals electronically through the Michigan SIGMA VSS system by May 18, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, with an anticipated contract begin date of May 25, 2018. Award will be made to the responsive and responsible bidder offering the lowest overall cost, evaluated on a pass/fail basis regarding acceptance of contract activities and standard contract terms, with the State reserving the right to conduct facility visits, require oral presentations, and request additional price concessions.

The RFP considers Qualified Disabled Veteran (QDV) status under MCL 18.1261(8) in the evaluation process. No incumbent vendors or specific set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises are identified in the available documentation. The contractor must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including $1,000,000 commercial general liability, $1,000,000 automobile liability, and workers' compensation according to applicable law, with the State named as an additional insured. Bidders must complete the Vendor Questions Worksheet providing detailed company background, experience, financial information, and certifications regarding compliance with Michigan business tax requirements, environmental standards, and labor practice regulations. The pricing should be submitted on a cost-per-acre basis with a total project cost calculation; however, no specific budget range or contract award value is disclosed in the RFP documents. Payment will be made via Electronic Funds Transfer within 45 days of invoice receipt, with all prices inclusive of taxes and the contractor responsible for supplying all equipment, safety gear, fuel, and transportation, and contracts exceeding $500,000 will require State Administrative Board approval.