GBNERR Mastication Project

Mississippi Department of Marine Resources
SOLICITATION: Invitation for Bids (IFB)
SOLICITATION NUMBER:
3160008075
DESCRIPTION: GBNERR Mastication Project
ISSUE DATE:
May 28, 2026
Department of Finance and Administration
BID CLOSING LOCATION:
Office of Statewide Strategic Sourcing
501 North West Street
Suite 1301-C Woolfolk Building
Jackson, Mississippi 39201
April Burns,
BID COORDINATOR: Office of Statewide Strategic Sourcing (OSSS)
osss@dfa.ms.gov
CLOSING DATE AND TIME: July 8, 2026, 10:00 AM CST

1. INTRODUCTION
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) manages the coastal resources for
the State of Mississippi. We are dedicated to enhancing, protecting, and conserving the marine
interests of Mississippi for present and future generations. We manage all marine life, public
trust wetlands, adjacent uplands, and waterfront areas for the long-term recreational,
educational, commercial, and economic benefit of everyone.
The Grand Bay Land Acquisition and Habitat Management project includes a combination of
land acquisition and habitat management within the Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge
(NWR), Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR), and Grand Bay Savanna
Coastal Preserve boundaries in Jackson County, Mississippi. In coordination with the
Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, the Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge, the
Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, and the MS Trustee Implementation Group,
the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is working to restore and manage over
3,100 acres of wet pine savanna and wet pine flatwoods within an area historically called
"Pecan," in Moss Point, MS. Historical imagery from this area shows that grasslands
dominated the landscape for most of the 20th century until the 1990s, when fire suppression
led to increases in woody vegetation. This project was designed to reduce areal coverage of
woody and invasive vegetation using combinations of mechanical, chemical, and prescribed
fire treatments and thus promote recovery of native herbaceous vegetation.
2. PURPOSE
The Office of Statewide Strategic Sourcing (OSSS), on behalf of the MDMR has issued this
solicitation for the purpose of seeking bids from qualified and experienced contractors to
selectively masticate the project area (see map) to reduce the amount of woody vegetation,
allowing sunlight to reach the ground promoting herbaceous understory development. An
insured and licensed contractor will use power tools and low ground pressure heavy equipment
and avoid work during inclement weather to minimize ground disturbance and negative
impacts on soils within the project area. The contractor is also expected to take all necessary
precautions to prevent the spread of invasive species throughout the project area and will
follow Best Management Practices (BMPs) as directed by Grand Bay NERR staff to minimize
impacts on wildlife. Slash pine (Pinus elliottii) 8" DBH or more, longleaf pine (Pinus
palustris), live oak (Quercus virginiana), gum (Nyssa spp.), pecan (Carya illinoinensis) and
pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens) will not be masticated since they provide food and
habitat for wildlife and are representative species of the target habitats.
The contractor will also create 8,900 feet of firelanes by using low ground pressure heavy
equipment. The firelanes will be 30 ft wide and scraped to bare mineral soil. The trunks and
roots of any trees will be mulched below bare mineral soil to reduce the risk of high-centering
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heavy equipment. Before moving to a new area, the contractor will ensure that their equipment
has been cleaned properly to reduce the spread of invasive species across the project area.
3. TIMELINE
Start Date
* First Date of Advertisement May 28, 2026
* Second Date of Advertisement June 4, 2026
GBNERR
6005 Bayou Heron Road
Moss Point, MS 39562
Site visit will be June 17, 2026 at 10:00 am.
Voluntary Site Visit
Any questions from the site visit must be
submitted in writing during the question-and-
answer period in the IFB. Only answers
provided in a written amendment will be
binding on MDMR.
Questions Submission Deadline June 24, 2026
Answers Posted June 30, 2026
Bid Submission Deadline July 8, 2026 10:00 AM CST
Bid Opening July 8, 2026 2:00 PM CST
Anticipated Notice of Intent to Award July 15, 2026
Submission to PPRB July 23, 2026
PPRB Board Meeting August 5, 2026
MDMR reserves the right to adjust this schedule as it deems necessary.
4. SITE VISIT
MDMR will host a voluntary site visit June 17, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the GBNERR 6005 Bayou
Heron Road, Moss Point MS 39562. The site visit will allow the MDMR to review site
conditions and project requirements with potential bidders. Although there may be some
discussion between site attendees and MDMR officials, the agency WILL NOT be bound by
responses provided during this site visit. Only answers provided in a written amendment to this
IFB will be binding on MDMR. Site attendees must submit any questions from the visit in
writing by the Question Submission Deadline above (See also 13. QUESTIONS/REQUESTS
FOR CLARIFICATION and 12. AMENDMENTS TO THIS IFB).
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5. OPSCR RULES AND REGULATIONS
This solicitation and any resulting contract shall be governed by the applicable provisions of
the Public Procurement Review Board (PPRB) Office of Personal Services Contract Review
(OPSCR) Rules and Regulations, a copy of which is available on the Mississippi Department
of Finance and Administration's website (www.dfa.ms.gov). Any bidder responding to this
solicitation is deemed to be on notice of all requirements therein.
6. RECONSIDERATION OF THE TERMS OF THE SOLICITATION
Any potential bidder may file a Request for Reconsideration of the Terms of the Solicitation.
Any such request shall be filed within three (3) business days following public notice of the
solicitation and in accordance with Section 5.2.4 of the OPSCR Rules and Regulations.
7. SCOPE OF SERVICES
The scope of work for the contract will include, but is not limited to, the following:
Selectively masticate the 480-acre project area (see map) to reduce the amount of woody
vegetation, allowing sunlight to reach the ground promoting herbaceous understory
development. An insured and licensed contractor will use power tools and low ground pressure
heavy equipment and avoid work during inclement weather to minimize ground disturbance
and negative impacts on soils within the project area. The contractor is also expected to take
all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of invasive species throughout the project area
and will follow Best Management Practices (BMPs) as directed by Grand Bay NERR staff to
minimize impacts on wildlife. Slash pine (Pinus elliottii) 8" DBH or more, longleaf pine (Pinus
palustris), live oak (Quercus virginiana), gum (Nyssa spp.), pecan (Carya illinoinensis) and
pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens) will not be masticated since they provide food and
habitat for wildlife and are representative species of the target habitats.
The contractor will also create 8,900 feet of firelanes by using low ground pressure heavy
equipment. The firelanes will be 30 ft wide and scraped to bare mineral soil. The trunks and
roots of any trees will be mulched below bare mineral soil to reduce the risk of high centering
heavy equipment. Before moving to a new area, the contractor will ensure that their equipment
has been cleaned properly to reduce the spread of invasive species across the project area.
8. DELIVERABLES
The deliverables are to include:
While using low ground pressure heavy equipment, a licensed and insured contractor will
selectively reduce woody vegetation by masticating approximately 480 acres within the NRDA
project area. The contractor will construct approximately 30 ft x 8,900 ft of firelanes in the
project area east of Bayou Heron Road. The contractor will give regular updates on progress
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made and notify the Project Manager and/or Natural Resource Manager of any issues that may
arise.
9. MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
The minimum qualifications for bidding include:
* Bidders must have experience with selective thinning for habitat restoration, knowledge of
local flora, and have completed at least one (1) project within the past five (5) years
involving forestry mulching, mastication, land clearing, firelane construction, or similar
vegetation management services.
* Bidders must possess, or have access to, the equipment and personnel necessary to perform
the work described in this IFB, including low ground pressure heavy equipment and power
tools.
* Bidders must provide two (2) professional references familiar with the vendor's abilities
described in this IFB. See Attachment B. Please provide current contact information as
MDMR must be able to contact the references.
* By submitting a bid, you are certifying that you are not currently debarred from bidding by
the State, any political subdivision of the State (towns, cities, counties, agencies, etc.), any
other state, or the federal government. You also certify that you are not submitting a bid as
an agent of someone so debarred.
* Bidders are required to be electronically registered in Mississippi's Accountability System
for Government Information and Collaboration (MAGIC) before submitting their bid.
Instructions for registering in MAGIC can be found below in Section 9.
The minimum qualifications for contracting include:
* Vendors which are domestic corporations, limited liability companies, or limited
partnerships must be in good standing with the Mississippi Secretary of State.
* Vendors which are foreign corporations, limited liability companies, or limited
partnerships may be required to register with the Mississippi Secretary of State to transact
business in Mississippi. See Miss. Code Ann 79-4-15.01.
10. BASIS FOR AWARD
The MDMR will award the bid to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder who meets all
required specifications, subject to approval by the Public Procurement Review Board, if
necessary. The MDMR reserves the right to reject any and/or all bids and waive minor
informalities which do not affect quality, quantity, price or delivery.
11. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
In order to enter into a contract, you must meet minimum insurance protection requirements.
You must provide evidence of your policies within ten (10) calendar days of a fully
executed contract.
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All insurance policies must be issued by companies licensed or holding a Certificate of
Authority from the Mississippi Department of Insurance. All liability insurance policies must
provide coverage to the MDMR.
You must hold the following insurance throughout the term of the contract:
Coverage Type Amount
Workers' Compensation (as required by Mississippi or other applicable state law)
General Liability
Aggregate $1,000,000
Personal Injury/Bodily Injury and Property Damage (Per Occurrence) $500,000
Fire Damage (Per Fire) $50,000
Medical Expense (Per Person) $5,000
12. BOND REQUIREMENTS
No bonds required.
13. BID SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Bidders are required to electronically register in Mississippi's Accountability System for
Government Information and Collaboration (MAGIC), and you may submit your bid
electronically through MAGIC, or you may submit your bid by paper submission via mail or
hand delivery to MDMR as outlined below:
Vendor Electronic Registration in MAGIC:
It shall be the responsibility of each bidder to ensure that its vendor profile is current in the
MAGIC system. The website to register as a vendor with the State of Mississippi is:
http://www.dfa.ms.gov/dfa-offices/mmrs/mississippi-suppliers-vendors/.
* For online learning instructions on submitting your bid electronically, select "Supplier
Training" from the link listed above. Select the LOG820 Supplier Self-Service Course link
and then click "Launch Course."
* If you have problems accessing the website, please contact the Mash Helpdesk at (601)
359-1343 or mash@dfa.ms.gov. You must receive a User ID and Password to access the
MAGIC portal. This process could take up to 72 hours to complete.
Please plan accordingly and ensure you have these credentials well before the bid
submission deadline.
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MAGIC Submission and Technical Requirements:
* The bid submission must be submitted in MAGIC no later than 10:00 AM CST, July 8,
2026. Timely submission is the sole responsibility of the bidder. Submissions received
after the specified time will be rejected and the unopened bid will be made a part of the
procurement file. It is suggested that you allow 72 hours before the due date and time
for submission of the bid in MAGIC, especially if you are a first-time user.
* Bids that are "saved" will not be available for viewing. Bids must be "submitted" to be
viewed by the agency.
Paper Bid Submission Requirements:
* The bid submission must be signed and submitted in a sealed envelope.
* Timely submission is the sole responsibility of the bidder. Submissions received after the
specified time will be rejected and the unopened bid will be made a part of the
procurement file.
* The time and date of receipt will be indicated on the sealed envelope or package by
Agency/OSSS staff or designee.
* All prices and notations must be printed in ink or typewritten. No erasures permitted.
Errors may be crossed out and corrections printed in ink or typewritten adjacent and must
be initialed, in ink, by the person signing bid.
* Submissions via facsimile (faxes) or email will not be accepted. It is suggested that if a
submission is mailed to the OSSS, it should be posted in certified mail with a return receipt
requested.
* The Bidder assumes all risks regarding the delivery of the bid. MDMR/OSSS will not be
responsible for delivery delays, packages lost in the delivery process, misdirected emails,
or other delivery errors.
* All Bids submitted by hand delivery or mail will become the property of the MDMR.
Sealed Bids should be mailed or hand-delivered to and labeled as follows:
Hand Delivery Address:
GBNERR Mastication Project
SRFx No. 3160008075
Smart No. 1450-26-R-IFBD-00011
Opening Date: 2:00 PM CST, July 8, 2026
Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration
Attention: April Burns, Proposal Coordinator
501 North West Street, Suite 1301 C
Jackson, Mississippi 39201
SEALED PROPOSAL - DO NOT OPEN
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Mailing Address:
GBNERR Mastication Project
SRFx No. 3160008075
Smart No. 1450-26-R-IFBD-00011
Opening Date: 2:00 PM CST, July 8, 2026
Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration
Attention: April Burns, Proposal Coordinator
Post Office Box 267
Jackson, Mississippi 39205
SEALED PROPOSAL - DO NOT OPEN
The deadline for receiving Bids is July 8, 2026, at 10:00 AM.
14. BID OPENING
Bids shall be opened in the presence of one or more Agency officials on the date and time
designated herein. Bids will not be opened publicly. Information regarding this opening and
procurement will be provided via Public Record Request in accordance with the Mississippi
Public Records Act, the OPSCR Rules and Regulation, Section 5.4.4 Bid Opening, and Section
1.5 Public Access to Procurement Documents. Specifically, production of any records
regarding this solicitation will be tolled until MDMR determines it will not issue the
procurement, cancels the procurement, or issues a notice naming its intended awardee.
15. AMENDMENTS TO THIS IFB
Should an amendment or amendments to this IFB be issued, it will be posted on the MDMR
website dmr.ms.gov in the Procurement section and on the Mississippi Contract Procurement
Opportunity Search Board (Procurement Portal) website
www.ms.gov/dfa/contract_bid_search/Bid in a manner that all bidders will be able to view.
Furthermore, bidders must acknowledge receipt of any amendment to this IFB by signing
and returning the amendment with the bid submission and by identifying the amendment
number and date in the space provided for this purpose on the Bid Form-Attachment C,
or by letter. The acknowledgment should be received by the OSSS by the time and at the place
specified for receipt of Bids. It is the bidder's sole responsibility to monitor the website for
amendments to the IFB.
16. QUESTIONS/REQUESTS FOR CLARIFICATION
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Bidders shall submit any question(s) via email by the deadline reflected in the Procurement
Timeline. All questions and requests for clarification must be directed by email to April Burns
at:
April Burns, Bid Coordinator
E-mail: osss@dfa.ms.gov
When submitting questions and requests for clarification, "IFB RFx# 3160008075 -
Questions," should be the subject for the email. Question submittals should include a reference
to the applicable IFB section and be submitted in the format shown below:
No. IFB Section, Page No. Question/Request for Clarification
1.
All questions/requests for clarification and the answers thereto will be published on the MDMR
website, and the MAGIC Portal http://www.dfa.ms.gov/dfa-offices/mmrs/mississippi-
suppliers-vendors/ in a manner that all bidders will be able to view by June 30, 2026 10:00
AM CST.
The MDMR will not be bound by any verbal or written information not specified within this
IFB unless formally noticed and issued by the IFB Coordinator.
Restrictions on Communication with Agency Staff: At no time shall any bidder or its
personnel contact, or attempt to contact, any MDMR/OSSS staff regarding this IFB except the
IFB Coordinator listed above and with the exception of the mandatory site visit and, in the
manner prescribed herein. Unauthorized contact regarding the IFB with other employees of
MDMR/OSSS may result in the potential bidder being disqualified, and the potential bidder
may also be suspended or debarred from the State.
17. TERM OF CONTRACT
MDMR intends to enter into a firm fixed-price agreement. The initial term of the contract
resulting from the IFB shall be for a period of one (1) year upon execution by the bidder and
the Executive Director of MDMR. Subject to the availability of funds and at the sole discretion
of the MDMR with the agreement of the Contractor, MDMR reserves the right to exercise an
option to renew the contract for one (1) successive year under the same prices, terms, and
conditions as in the original contract. The total number of renewal years permitted shall not
exceed one (1).
Any contract resulting from this IFB shall consist of an MDMR Independent Contractor
Contract, this IFB and any amendments, and any responses thereto, including, the respondent's
Bid.
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18. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR BIDDING
All bids must include the following:
* Attachment B-Bid Cover Form (with References) completed and signed;
* Attachment C-Bid Form completed and signed; and,
* Attachment F-Bidder's Checklist completed and signed.
Use the bid form to identify your best price. You must identify your company's name on
each page of the bid form, and each of the attachments. Complete all of the blanks and
sign the form.
You must use the attached bid form. Submissions without a bid form will be rejected as
nonresponsive. Do not amend or add to the bid form. We may reject modified bid forms as
nonresponsive on a case-by-case basis.
You are responsible for the costs of preparing your bid. We do not accept liability for such
expenses. All parties participating in the procurement process with regard to this solicitation
shall bear their own costs of participation, pursuant to Section 1.4.4 of the Public Procurement
Review Board Office of Personal Services Contract Review Rules and Regulations.
19. PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST
Public Record Requests will be handled in accordance with Miss. Code Ann. 25-61-9.
20. CONDITIONS OF SOLICITATION
When you submit a bid, then you agree that you will accept an award if offered.
You also certify that you have not communicated with any other bidder or competitor regarding
your bid or the price, your intention to submit a bid, or the factors you used to calculate the bid
price. You further certify that you do not have any conflict of interest with respect to the
MDMR, or the project. You can read more about your certifications on the Bid Form,
Attachment C.
MDMR also reserves the right to waive minor irregularities in the bid providing such action is
in the best interest of MDMR and the State of Mississippi. A minor irregularity is defined as a
variation of the IFB which does not affect the price of the bid or give one party an advantage
or benefit not enjoyed by other parties, or adversely impact the interest of MDMR.
Where MDMR may waive minor irregularities as determined by MDMR, such waiver shall in
no way modify the IFB requirements or excuse the bidder from full compliance with the IFB
specifications and other contract requirements should the bidder be awarded the contract.
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