DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Rescind Previous Award And Authorization To Award Proposal And Execute Contract With Native Resource Preservation LLC For Miesville Ravine Park Reserve Vegetation Management
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Rescind prior award that was authorized by Resolution No. 25-301 (June 24, 2025) and authorize awarding Native Resource Preservation LLC (NRP)’s proposal and the execution of a contract with them for vegetation management at Miesville Ravine Park Reserve (MRPR) from date of contract execution to December 31, 2026, with the option to extend the contract two additional 12-month terms.
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 removal of invasive species and prescribed burns to meet NRMSP goals. Staff have recognized increased efficiency and quality of work when one contractor has a vegetation management contract for consecutive years. To capitalize on that trend, vegetation management contracts will include the option to extend the contract for up to two additional terms.
Contract information:
This project was resolicited after the original award was canceled based on a potential discrepancy in the insurance requirements and bidder responses. A new request for proposals (RFP) was prepared and released on August 8, 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 22, 2025, deadline.
Bidder Total Base Bid Amount
Native Resource Preservation LLC $171,030.00
Resource Environmental Solutions LLC $184,773.50
Landbridge Ecological, Inc. $200,878.90
Minnesota Native Landscapes, Inc. $226,298.50
Prairie Restorations, Incorporated $301,775.10
The proposal evaluation team scored each proposal and selected NRP.
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 not to exceed $375,000." Task estimates were based on a one-year term.
The base quote includes herbicide application, spot mowing, hand seeding, broadcast seeding, hand weeding, brush removal, brush pile burning, and prescribed burning in MRPR. 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 two additional one-year terms ending December 31, 2028. Hourly or per-acre rates will increase by three percent for each contract extension.
Contract expenditures are predicted to be $125,000 per year with a contract maximum of $375,000.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends rescinding prior award and awarding NRP’s proposal and authorizing the execution of a contract with them for MRPR vegetation management through the end of 2026, with the option to extend the contract for two additional years at a contract maximum of $375,000.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
Adequate funds for the initial contract term from the date of execution to December 31, 2026, totaling $125,000, are available within the 2025 Adopted Parks Natural Resources Base Fund Budget.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
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, this project was resolicited after the original award was canceled based on a potential discrepancy in the insurance requirements and bidder responses; and
WHEREAS, on August 8, 2025, the County reissued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Miesville Ravine 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 Native Resource Preservation; 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 two additional 12-month terms ending December 31, 2028; and
WHEREAS, the hourly or per-acre rates will increase by three percent for each contract extension; and
WHEREAS, the RFP stipulated that the total contract amount would be set up to not exceed $375,000; and
WHEREAS, adequate funds for the initial contract terms are available within the 2025 Adopted Parks Natural Resources Base Fund Budget.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby rescinds prior award and authorizes the Parks Department Director to execute a contract with Native Resource Preservation LLC for the Miesville Ravine Park Reserve Vegetation Management project to manage natural areas of Miesville Ravine Park Reserve through December 31, 2026, with the option to extend the contract for up to two additional 12-month terms until December 31, 2028, in a total amount not to exceed $375,000, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
17-274; 05/23/17
25-301; 06/24/25
ATTACHMENTS
None
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☒ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Niki Geisler
Author: Scott Hagen