DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Award Native Resource Preservation’s Proposal And Execute Contract With Native Resource Preservation For Miesville Ravine Park Reserve Vegetation Management
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize awarding Native Resource Preservation’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 May 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:
A request for proposals (RFP) was prepared and released on May 16, 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 May 30, 2025, deadline.
Bidder Total Base Quote Amount
Native Resource Preservation $175,280.00
Resource Environmental Solutions $184,773.50
Landbridge Ecological $200,878.90
Minnesota Native Landscapes $226,298.50
The proposal evaluation team scored each proposal and selected Native Resource Preservation.
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 a 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 May 31, 2026, with the option to extend the contract through two additional one-year terms ending May 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 awarding Native Resource Preservation’s proposal and authorizing the execution of a contract with them for 2025 MRPR vegetation management, 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 May 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
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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 May 16, 2025, the County issued 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 May 31, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the RFP stipulated that the contract could be extended for up to two additional 12-month terms ending May 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; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends executing the contract with Native Resource Preservation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Physical Development Director to execute a contract with Native Resource Preservation for the Miesville Ravine Park Reserve Vegetation Management project to manage natural areas of Miesville Ravine Park Reserve through May 31, 2026, with the option to extend the contract for up to two additional 12-month terms until May 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
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: 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: Scott Hagen