Seeding North Grasshopper Project

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is seeking competitive bids for the Seeding North Grasshopper Project, a comprehensive land restoration initiative located in Crawford County. The project involves seeding and erosion control work across approximately 87 acres, including fertilizing, seeding, and mulching native prairie grass mixtures. Key deliverables include applying fertilizer (40#/ac nitrogen, 80#/ac phosphorous, and 80#/ac potassium), installing approximately 4,200 linear feet of silt logs for erosion control, and implementing erosion control blankets. A mandatory pre-bid meeting is scheduled for December 27, 2024, at 10:30 AM CST at the SMU Office in Frontenac, KS, with a subsequent site visit. Bid submissions are due January 21, 2025, at 2:00 PM CST, with a contract period extending from the award date through May 31, 2025. Bidders are required to submit a 5% bid guarantee and must complete seeding between January 1 and May 15, contingent on ground conditions. Evaluation will likely focus on compliance with technical specifications, pricing, and ability to meet project timelines and environmental restoration objectives.

The procurement opportunity includes several important bidder qualifications and preferences. Kansas offers bidder preferences for certified businesses, including disabled veteran-owned enterprises, and political subdivisions are permitted to utilize the resulting contract. Bidders must obtain a current tax clearance certificate, complete immigration reform documentation, and submit certifications regarding boycott of Israel and sexual harassment policies. The project is subject to Buy America, Buy America Act (BABA) requirements, mandating that iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials be predominantly produced in the United States, with manufactured products requiring at least 55% domestic component costs. Additionally, the project falls under Davis-Bacon Act provisions, which require contractors to pay prevailing wage rates as determined by the Department of Labor. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, bidders should be prepared for a comprehensive project involving significant land restoration work, with mobilization and demobilization costs capped at 7% of the total bid amount.