This bid solicitation is for prescribed rotational goat grazing at Camden State Park in Lyon County. The goal of the project is to browse all available woody brush in a historically oak-dominated dry-mesic hardwood forest. The primary target vegetation includes garlic mustard, buckthorn, gooseberry, honeysuckle and other undesirable shade tolerant understory species. The project consists of two approximately 15-acre paddocks (30 acres in total). Paddocks are adjacent to each other and within a hiking trail loop, allowing the Contractor to move goats between sites without the need for trailering. This should also help facilitate fencing layout. The eastern-most paddock (Paddock #1) lies directly north of the Redwood Lodge. The western paddock’s (Paddock #2) southern border is adjacent to a popular swimming pond. Both paddocks abut the Redwood River, which should provide sufficient water source for the goats. The fence line that separates the two paddocks is not located along any trail system, so placement will be flexible, but may require a limited amount of brush and downed debris removal and is the responsibility of the Contractor. The Redwood River abuts a portion of each paddock, and water sources within the park (for filling portable tanks) are available at the park shop and the park campground, a short distance from the paddocks. The final paddock shape and size is at the Contractor’s discretion, with approval from the project manager. The State has estimated the number of grazing days required for this site, based on previous grazing experience, but this is just an estimate for the purposes of bidding. The State recognizes that effective prescribed grazing may take more or less time, based on the vegetation available for grazing, plant phenology, and on the weather conditions for vegetative growth and re-sprouting. Adjustments to the timeframe will be made through Change Order to this bid award.
