REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR PUBLIC DOG PARK VANDERCOOK LAKE COUNTY PARK JACKSON, MICHIGAN

COUNTY OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
FOR
PUBLIC DOG PARK
VANDERCOOK LAKE COUNTY PARK
JACKSON, MICHIGAN
JC-912-022326

BID SUMMARY
Commodity/Service Being Requested: Public Dog Park
Type of Solicitation: Request for Proposals - It is the intention of Jackson County to bid and award a Master
Agreement to a contractor capable of excavating and constructing a public dog park at Vandercook Lake
County Park in Jackson, Michigan.
Type of Resulting Contract: Jackson County will use the results of this process to award a contract to a
Vendor capable of meeting the terms and conditions outlined in this RFP.
Resulting Contract Term: Project will commence in Summer of 2026. Estimated project start and duration will
be confirmed with possible contractors.
ANTICIPATED TIMETABLE
Release of RFP: April 7, 2026
Pre-bid Meeting (Optional) at 9:30 AM/EST: April 14, 2026
Bidders Questions Due by (10:00 AM/EST): April 16, 2026
Questions and Answers Responses Posted: April 17, 2026
Bids Due by (10:00 AM/ EST) *: April 24, 2026
*Any response received later than the specified deadline will be disqualified.
Final Agreement Award Determination: Jackson County reserves the right to make one total award, one
award for each section, multiple awards, or a combination of awards, and to exercise its judgment
concerning the selection of one or more bids, the terms of any resultant agreement(s), and the
determination of which, if any, bid(s) best serves the interests of Jackson County.
Pre-bid Meeting: A meeting will be held on April 14, 2026 at 9:30 AM EST with potential vendors. Contact
Jack McCloughan via email at: jmccloughan@mijackson.org for further information.
Contacts with Jackson County Personnel: All contact with Jackson County regarding this RFP or any
matter relating thereto must be e-mailed as follows:
Email address: purchasing@mijackson.org
If it is discovered that a Bidder contacted and received information regarding this solicitation from any
Jackson County personnel other than the Procurement Contact, Jackson County, in its sole discretion, may
disqualify its bid from further consideration. Only those communications made by Jackson County in
writing will be binding with respect to this RFP.
JC-912-022326 2

Contents
SECTION 1.0 - SCOPE OF WORK AND BIDDER RESPONSES ....................................................................................................... 4
1. Minimum Mandatory Requirements ................................................................................................................................ 4
2. Description of Deliverables ............................................................................................................................................. 4
3. Site Work Specifications..........................................................................................................................5
4. Fencing Specifications............................................................................................................................6
5. Project Schedule...................................................................................................................................7
6. Scope of Work ................................................................................................................................................................ 7
7. Contractor Responsibilities .............................................................................................................................................. 8
8. Jackson County Parks Responsibilities ........................................................................................................................... 9
9. Product and Service Offerings..................................................................................................................9
10. Delivery of Services...............................................................................................................................9
11. Personnel...........................................................................................................................................10
12. Supervision.........................................................................................................................................10
13. Service Capabilities ....................................................................................................................................................... 10
14. Customer Service ......................................................................................................................................................... 11
15. Pricing Schedule ........................................................................................................................................................... 11
16. Price Assurance ............................................................................................................................................................ 12
SECTION 2.0 - BIDDING, EVALUATION, SELECTION & AWARD PROCESS ................................................................................ 13
2.1 Jackson County Responsibility ..................................................................................................................................... 13
2.2 Truth and Accuracy of Representations ........................................................................................................................ 13
2.3 Bidders Questions ......................................................................................................................................................... 13
2.4 Preparation of the Bid ................................................................................................................................................... 14
2.5 Bid Submission Deadline .............................................................................................................................................. 15
2.6 Adherence to Mandatory Requirements (Pass/Fail) ..................................................................................................... 15
2.7 Evaluation Process ....................................................................................................................................................... 16
2.8 Evaluation Criteria ......................................................................................................................................................... 16
2.9 Optional Tools to Enhance Evaluation Process ............................................................................................................ 16
2.10 Jackson County Option to Reject Bids .......................................................................................................................... 17
2.11 Freedom of Information Act .......................................................................................................................................... 17
2.12 Contacts with Jackson County Personnel ..................................................................................................................... 17
2.13 Final Agreement Award Determination ......................................................................................................................... 17
2.14 Statutory Requirements ................................................................................................................................................ 18
SECTION 3.0 - BIDDER INFORMATION AND ACCEPTANCE ........................................................................................................ 19
3.1 Company Profile ........................................................................................................................................................... 22
3.2 References .................................................................................................................................................................... 23
ATTACHMENT A - PRICING SHEET.....................................................................................................................25
ATTACHMENT B - INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................................... 27
ATTACHMENT C - DRAWINGS AND DIAGRAMS ..................................................................................................................... 29
JC-912-022326 3

SECTION 1.0 - SCOPE OF WORK AND BIDDER RESPONSES
1. Minimum Mandatory Requirements
All Bids will be reviewed for compliance with the mandatory requirements. Bids deemed non-
responsive will be eliminated from further consideration.
1) Bidder must have a minimum of five (5) years' experience with proven effectiveness in
providing a range of services equivalent or similar to the services being requested by Jackson
County as outlined in this RFP. Please provide company history.
2) Bidders must be qualified vendors who have proven extensive experience in excavating
and construction projects equivalent or similar to those being requested in this RFP.
3) The successful contractor must be licensed and insured.
4) The Bidder shall submit a list of five (5) references, including name of institution, address, contact
person, and telephone number. Refer to Section 3.2
5) If selected for award, Bidder shall submit a list of five (5) references for each subcontractor to be
used on the project. Identify the work each subcontractor will be designated to do for the project.
6) The bidder shall meet ALL insurance requirements in regard to Workers' Compensation
Insurance, Professional and Commercial General Liability Insurance and Motor Vehicle Insurance
as outlined in this RFP.
7) The vendor must certify that they are not on any Federal, State, or local list of debarred or
prohibited contractors.
2. Description of Deliverables
The Jackson County Parks Department oversees 18 County Parks with more than 1,000 acres of
wooded and natural areas, beaches, trails, and more. The Parks Department plans to excavate and
construct a public dog park at Vandercook Lake County Park located at 407 Parkway Street, Jackson,
Michigan, 49203. Project will consist of two (2) separate fenced in dog paddock areas (1.6 and .4
acres), an aggregate walk path to a lakefront, and a concrete entry plaza with drinking fountain.
The purpose of this RFP is to secure a contractor or contractors to complete the excavation,
construction, and general contracting work for this project.
Vendor or vendors will provide excavation and grading, aggregate walk path, concrete, and water
line installation. These services shall include, but are not limited to:
* Supplying equipment, materials, labor, permits, fees, verification of numbers, etc.
* Minor grading, site work, and sand fill work will be required for the project.
* Prep and pour approximately 1,100 square feet of concrete.
JC-912-022326 4

* Installation of a one (1) inch municipal water line of approximately 300 linear feet, including
excavation, tap fees, and fountain installation. Fountain will be provided by Jackson
County Parks Department.
* Installation of an aggregate walkway of approximately 540 square feet, requiring
excavation of existing soils to a depth of 6" and replacement with weed barrier fabric and
6" of crushed limestone aggregate.
* Installation of approximately 1,710 linear feet of four (4) feet black wire mesh fencing.
Four (4), forty-two (42) inch self-closing gates with ADA compliant hardware. Two (2) sets
of double six (6) feet maintenance gates.
3. Site Work Specifications
1.3.1 General Excavation and Site Work
* All equipment, labor, fuel, trucking, and associated costs are the responsibility of the
contractor.
* All spoils to be trucked off site and disposed of appropriately by contractor.
* Minor excavation and grading in one corner of the paddock consisting of
approximately 1,800 square feet to bring the grade up with approximately 225 cubic
yards of fill sand. Fill sand is to be washed and screened fill sand.
* At the conclusion of the project, site restoration will include necessary topsoil, seed,
and straw coverage. This will include edges of the aggregate paths, concrete work,
and water supply line installation areas.
1.3.2 Water Supply
* All necessary permits and fees with the township for municipal water supply hook up.
* Install a one (1) inch supply line from the Fourth Street water main to the concrete
entry plaza area. Line will be approximately 300 linear feet in length. Installation
should be done with the best practices for materials, depth, etc.
* Installation of curb stop and the ability to winterize necessary equipment via a self-
draining mechanism or air pressure access.
* Installation of dual use water fountain suitable for human and pet usage. Water
fountain will be supplied by Jackson County Parks Department.
1.3.3 Concrete Work
* All necessary prep work, including soil removal, installation and compaction of fill sand
JC-912-022326 5

as needed.
* Installation of six (6) inch thick concrete slab per plans, including wire mesh
reinforcement. Concrete is to be broom finish, with appropriate edging and tooled or
cut expansion joints.
1.3.4 Aggregate Walk and Paddock Area Paths
* All necessary excavation to install walk paths in three (3) locations.
* All aggregate walk paths shall be compacted or vibra-rolled upon completion.
* Restoration work along walk paths will be necessary with topsoil and seed. Work will
need to be concise to minimize restoration needs.
* Lake access walk path
Path will be six (6) feet wide and approximately 90 linear feet in length.
o
Aggregate will be six (6) inches in depth in relation to the grade.
o
21AA crushed limestone for the aggregate paths.
o
Geo-fabric will be placed under the aggregate for the lake access path.
o
* Paddock Area Aggregate Path
A three (3) foot wide aggregate path is to be installed along the inside of each
o
paddock area to prevent excessive wear along the fences. The aggregate
installation will be prior to fence installation.
Path is to be six (6) inches in depth.
o
No geo-fabric is to be installed under these paths.
o
Small breed paddock will be approximately 480 linear feet.
o
All breed paddock will be approximately 675 linear feet.
o
4. Fencing Specifications
Commercial chain link mesh to consist of the following (or better):
* Wire mesh to be four (4) feet in height with black vinyl coating. Wire mesh is to be 9-
gauge core, or better.
* Hardware to match in color and quality.
JC-912-022326 6

* Total of approximately 1,710 lineal feet of wire mesh.
1,200 lineal feet for all breed area enclosure
o
470 lineal feet for small breed area enclosure
o
20 lineal for each of the two (2) double gate entry areas
o
Posts to be buried to a minimum of two (2) feet below grade with a minimum of 18-inch concrete
footings. All posts are to be capped, and leave no exposed openings.
Top rails are to run through the post caps.
Bottom of wire mesh to be secured with high strength tension wire.
All wire ties and fasteners should be smooth and not create hazards for dogs or people.
Gates
* Two (2) - 42-inch self-closing gates with ADA accessible hardware at the entry to
each paddock to create a double gate entry system. Total of four (4) - 42-inch gates
and closers.
* Each paddock will also have a double six (6) foot maintenance gate system to create a
twelve (12) foot access for maintenance needs.
Due to the nature of space usage, tolerances for openings and spaces will be minimal. All efforts
shall be made to make sure installation is of the highest quality with little to no openings.
5. Project Schedule
1.5.1 Bidders are to include a project timeline with their bid response:
Request for Proposal Released April 7, 2026
Pre-bid Meeting (optional) 9:30 AM/EST April 14, 2026
Questions Due April 16, 2026
Questions and Answers Posted April 17, 2026
Bids Due (10:00 a.m. EST) April 24, 2026
Contract Awarded * May 2026
*Pending Board approvals.
6. Scope of Work
Please see Attachment C for drawings and diagrams related to the work.
JC-912-022326 7

7. Contractor Responsibilities
A. Contractor responsible for all necessary labor, equipment, and transportation and material
costs incurred to fulfill contract per plans, specs and permits not specifically outlined as JCP
responsibility.
B. Contractor is responsible for thorough review and understanding of all plans, permits, and
requirements outlined.
C. Application, approval, and adherence to all necessary permits is the responsibility of the
contractor. Permits include, but are not limited, Soil Erosion permitting, and any local
municipal permits.
D. Completion of necessary bid documents, in entirety.
E. Vendor must be able to provide excavation and construction services during the hours of 7:00
am to 6:00 pm EST. It will be the Vendor's responsibility to determine shift times. Vendor may
request work extended hours each day, and/or seven (7) days per week in order to ensure
timely completion of the project.
F. Vendor must supply an adequate number of personnel to complete the project by the
designated deadline.
G. Vendors and subcontractors will ensure the installation is completed in keeping with any
and all manufacturers' recommendations, standards, and installation procedures.
H. Safety Measures: Vendor shall take all necessary precautions for the safety of employees on
the worksite and shall erect and properly maintain at all times, as required on job conditions
and process of the work, all necessary safeguards for the protection of the personnel and
public.
I. Vendor shall be responsible for supplying and placing signage, barricades, fencing, tarps,
plastic, flag tape, and other safety/traffic control equipment required to protect its employees,
the public, County employees, and clients, surrounding areas, equipment, and vehicles. The
flow of traffic shall not be impeded at any time during the contract. The safety and security of
the Vendor's employees and the public is of prime concern to the County, and the Vendor must
take all necessary steps to assure proper safety and security during the performance of the
contract.
J. Underground locating, damage, and repairs are all the contractor responsibility.
K. Liquidated Damages: Penalties of up to $1,000 per day may be levied for failure to complete
project specs within specified schedule.
JC-912-022326 8

8. Jackson County Parks Responsibilities
A. All necessary signage.
9. Product and Service Offerings
Jackson County is seeking a service provider that has the depth, breadth, and quality of resources
necessary to provide tennis court restoration services. Vendors shall prepare a written bid to include,
but not be limited to, the following terms and conditions:
* The Vendor will be required to furnish properly trained and equipped personnel capable of
completing the project according to the information provided and specifications.
* The Vendor should be fully licensed, insured and factory trained for installation of all products.
* Proposer must include a detailed timeline from start to completion of the project described in
Section 1.2 Description of Deliverables
10. Delivery of Services
Vendor must supply an adequate number of personnel to complete the project by the deadline.
Vendor shall assure sufficient service as to provide installation and timely completion that is convenient
for the County and will not interfere with normal operations.
Vendor shall supply a detailed planning process that includes a timeline of how its services will be
implemented for this project. If there are services that might require a longer delivery time frame to
complete the priorities identified in Section 1.2 Description of Deliverables, please denote this
requirement for the respective structures in your response.
Vendor shall supply a detailed list of other venues where it has provided its services for a similar
project as described in this RFP.
Permits, Licensure, and Insurance Requirements:
* Vendor must be licensed and insured.
* Vendor shall submit proof of professional license, insurance, and business license upon award.
Subcontracting: Any person undertaking a part of the work under the terms of the contract, by virtue of
an agreement with the Vendor, must receive the approval of the Jackson County's Department Director
or designee prior to any such undertaking. The County may terminate the contract if the subcontracting
is done without this approval.
JC-912-022326 9

Shipping Errors: The receiving agencies have been instructed to make immediate inspection on receipt
of products/services and to process payment documents promptly. Payment documents, however, will
be delayed if the work fails to comply with specification requirements.
11. Personnel
Construction personnel assigned to this project may be a combination of full-time and part-time
employees of Vendor. Vendor will pay all wages and payroll taxes as well as applicable and mandated
insurances to and on behalf of its employees, including but not limited to, workers' compensation
insurance. Vendor releases and agrees to hold Client harmless from any liability resulting from claims
made by any of the Vendor's employees who are working or have worked to the extent not caused by
Client's negligence.
Vendor shall be responsible for all matters related to screening, hiring, training, licensing, discipline,
payroll/taxation, and unemployment for all of its employees and shall hold the Client harmless thereon.
It is acknowledged that all personnel used by the Vendor are employees of the Vendor, whether part-
time or full-time, and have no direct or indirect employment relationship with the Client.
12. Supervision
Vendor shall be solely responsible for the supervision of its construction personnel that it employs to
provide the services required by the resulting contract. Vendor shall, as soon as safely possible,
remove from service and replace any of its construction personnel that Client reasonably believes to be
unqualified to perform his or her duties or is unable to perform their duties in a professional manner and
properly interact with the Client's employees and the public. In the event any of the Vendor's personnel
are replaced as herein provided, Vendor shall indemnify and hold Client harmless from any claims
arising from the removal of any such personnel employed by the Vendor.
Vendor shall provide Jackson County Parks Department with a means of immediate communication
regarding completion of the project, emergencies, or any other occasion that may arise. A cellular
phone of the person(s) responsible for managing the contract must be provided.
Vendor and its employees shall keep the work area clean and free from rubbish. Vendor shall ensure
that its employees do not remove any of the Client's property from the work site without the Client's
written permission. In the event any of the Client's property is so removed, the Vendor shall ensure that
its employee has returned any property taken unless otherwise agreed in writing. In the event the
property cannot be returned, the Vendor shall be responsible for reimbursing the Client for the value of
the property not returned.
13. Service Capabilities
Communication Plan/Contract Management
JC-912-022326 10