Indian Lake Shallow Water Weed Harvesting

Project Background:Indian Lake offers a diversity of water-related recreational opportunities including boating, fishing, skiing and camping which are the highlights of this multi-use park. The region of Indian Lake was originally a cluster of natural lakes situated on the Miami River. As the continental glaciers left Ohio, chunks of ice broke free, melted, and formed water-filled depressions called kettle lakes. The resultant shallow, marshy, natural lakes in this region covered an area of 640 acres.  The present and much larger lake of approximately 5,800 acres lies along one of the country's major avian migration routes. Indian Lake is an important resting stop for birds such as Canada geese, ducks, grebes, swans, egrets and herons. Many stay over the summer to nest. Bald eagles once nested in the area but are no longer found here.Indian Lake became a popular resort area at the turn of the century due to its central location on the old Toledo and Ohio Central Steamline and the Ohio Electric Railway. At one time, Indian Lake was known as the "Midwest's Million Dollar Playground." In 1949, the old Department of Conservation was abolished, and Indian Lake became part of the newly-created Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Parks and Watercraft.Given the environmental make-up of Indian Lake, it’s shallow water level and the ever-changing weather patterns in this part of Ohio, it is very common for all types of aquatic vegetation.  Left unchecked, the vegetation can be plentiful causing many issues for our recreational lake users. ODNR is seeking a seasonal supplier to assist in the management of the shallow water and shoreline aquatic vegetation through a regimented harvesting process.  This contract will be awarded for the spring/summer seasons running from May 1, 2024, through June 30th, 2025.  The harvesting need may vary for each growing season.  Award of this contract does not guarantee a certain amount of work in each season. Scope of Work: This project involves the performance of routine aquatic vegetative maintenance and debris removal on Indian Lake with a focus on public beach and other near shore areas.
 
The Contractor shall be responsible for harvesting and maintaining the aquatic vegetation condition of Indian Lake, primarily in near shore areas including but not limited to public beaches as directed by Indian Lake State Park leadership in consultation with the ODNR Lake Management Plan. This primarily consists of surface and submerged vegetation removal, and the control of any aquatic vegetative species that could contribute to the recreational degradation of Indian Lake. The table below summarizes the required aquatic vegetation harvesting and required frequency. Additional harvesting activities should be anticipated as necessary after heavy winds, heavy rainfall and other weather conditions that spark excessive aquatic growth.
 
Acreage and specific target areas for harvesting will be identified by Indian Lake State Park Leadership in consultation with the Lake Management Plan.  A separate supplier is contracted and responsible for the collection of lake data (i.e. water quality, vegetation, etc.), the analysis of current water and vegetative conditions, and evaluation of environmental changes within the lake.
Specifications:TABLE 1: Summary of the aquatic vegetation harvesting and required frequencyRequired ActivityRequired FrequencyMeet with an ODNR Parks and Watercraft Representative to scope out the upcoming work plan / area for aquatic vegetation harvest.WeeklyThe Contractor is expected to harvest aquatic vegetation based on 8 – 10 hour work day (dependent upon equipment and weather conditions)DailyThe Contractor is expected to offload debris to an ODNR designated staging or disposal area.DailyThe Contractor shall email a weekly report to the designated ODNR Representative(s), as determined by the Agency. The weekly report shall include: areas managed, hours worked, amount of vegetation removed, and photo documentation of the work completed.Weekly   The main target species for harvesting include: Curly Leaf Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) Coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum) Dense mats of floating filamentous algae

 
Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) shall be avoided during harvesting due to its ability to spread when fragmented.
 
Work must be conducted during weekdays and under favorable conditions. The Contractor(s) shall coordinate with ODNR to avoid scheduling working during unacceptable times or conditions. Potential blackout dates will be made available to the Contractor(s) upon request. ODNR will identify specific areas to be harvested with the issuance of a purchase order (PO). The Contractor(s) shall begin work in a timely fashion after receiving the PO and coordinating with ODNR. The Contractor(s) is required to contact the ODNR Representative at least two business days prior to the commencement of work.

 
Bid response will be in the form of an hourly rate for performing the above specified services using the required equipment.  Please place the total cost for one hour of work on the item grid provided in the OhioBuys solicitation.  In addition, please attach a list of the proposed equipment to be used.
 
The Contractor may submit an invoice weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly as work proceeds, as agreed upon with ODNR. 
Equipment Requirements: Contractor must provide the following at a minimum: Two machines capable of cutting aquatic vegetation with a combined minimum width of 15’, each with a depth of 36”. Machine should be capable of cutting vegetation in water depths as shallow as 1-1.5’. The machines should be capable of transporting the cut vegetation out of the lake. Machinery necessary to transport cut vegetation to ODNR designated sites around the lake. ODNR will not off load vegetation, but will move material further into reclamation areas.