DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Award Proposal And Execute Contract With Landbridge Ecological, Inc., For Spring Lake Park Reserve Vegetation Management
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize awarding proposal and execution of contract with Landbridge Ecological, Inc., for vegetation management at Spring Lake Park Reserve (SLPR) from date of contract execution to December 2026, with the option to extend the contract one additional calendar year.
SUMMARY
Background:
Dakota County’s Natural Resource Management System Plan (NRMSP) was adopted by Resolution No. 17-274 (May 9, 2017). The NRMSP identifies the need to maintain restored areas perpetually to protect the initial investment made to restore the area and to “ensure that the plant community and wildlife continue on a trajectory toward greater ecological health.” Dakota County hires contractors to maintain restored areas in parks via tasks such as the removal of invasive species and prescribed burns to meet NRMSP goals. Staff have recognized increased efficiency and quality of work when one contractor has had a vegetation management contract for consecutive years. To capitalize on this trend, the vegetation management contract will include the option to extend the contract for one additional term.
Contract information:
A request for proposal (RFP) was prepared and released on July 14, 2025. Best value contracting was used to evaluate and award this RFP. The submitted proposals were evaluated on total cost, performance on previous similar projects, proposed project approach, quality control, project team qualifications, and completeness of proposal. The following proposals were received by the August 8, 2025, deadline.
Bidder Total Base Proposal Amount
Landbridge Ecological, Inc. $158,878.20
RES Great Lakes, LLC $194,188.70
Native Resource Preservation, LLC $238,460.00
MNL Corp $331,803.00
The proposal evaluation team scored each proposal and selected Landbridge Ecological, Inc.
The RFP stipulated that bidders provide rates for restoration tasks to be performed at the direction of Dakota County, as needed. The RFP stated: "Preliminary task estimates have been made for evaluation purposes only. This estimate is not to be interpreted as any form of commitment to an agreed-to quantity of work. Contractor will be paid for actual hours/acres of work on the site, which may be more or less than the estimates provided. The contract will be set up as not to exceed $425,000." Task estimates were based on a 16-month initial contract term.
The base quote includes herbicide application, spot mowing, hand seeding, broadcast seeding, hand weeding, brush removal, brush pile burning, and prescribed burning in Spring Lake Park Reserve. Alternate tasks include planting, watering, forestry mowing, establishment mowing, and more. There is a need to implement alternate tasks, but the level of utilization will be determined by the project manager based on specific site and weather conditions. The initial contract term will end December 31, 2026, with the option to extend the contract through one additional one-year term ending December 31, 2027.
Contract expenditures are predicted to be $160,000 during the initial 16-month contract term with a contract maximum of $425,000.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends awarding proposal and authorizing execution of contract with Landbridge Ecological, Inc., for 2025 SLPR vegetation management, with the option to extend the contract for one additional term at a contract maximum of $425,000.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
Adequate funds totaling $160,000 are available within the 2025 Adopted Parks Natural Resources Base Fund Budget.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 17-274 (May 23, 2017), the County Board adopted the Dakota County Natural Resource Management System Plan (NRMSP); and
WHEREAS, the NRMSP identifies the need to maintain restored areas perpetually to protect the initial investment made to restore the area; and
WHEREAS, on July 14, 2025, the County issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Spring Lake Park Reserve Vegetation Management project; and
WHEREAS, best value contracting was used to evaluate and award this RFP; and
WHEREAS, the proposal evaluation team scored each proposal and selected Landbridge Ecological, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, the RFP stipulated that the initial contract term would expire on December 31, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the RFP stipulated that the contract could be extended for up to one additional 12-month term ending December 31, 2027; and
WHEREAS, the RFP stipulated that the total contract amount would be set up as not to exceed $425,000; and
WHEREAS, adequate funds are available within the 2025 Adopted Parks Natural Resources Base Fund Budget; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends executing the contract with Landbridge Ecological, Inc.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Parks Director to execute a contract with Landbridge Ecological, Inc., for the Spring Lake Park Reserve Vegetation Management project to manage natural areas of Spring Lake Park Reserve through December 31, 2026, with the option to extend the contract for up to one additional 12-month term until December 31, 2027, in a total amount not to exceed $425,000, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
17-274; 05/23/17
ATTACHMENTS
None
BOARD GOALS
☐ A Great Place to Live ☒ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Niki Geisler
Author: Shannon Montante