RFP for CoRE Grant - Ecological Restoration Services

Village of Irvington
Request for Proposals (RFP)
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
Community Reforestation (CoRe) Grant
Ecological Restoration Services
Table of Contents
Section Page
1. Introduction 1
2. Project Overview 1
3. Project Objectives 3
4. Project Components 4
5. Contractor Qualifications 9
6. Proposal Evaluation 11
7. Project Schedule 12
8. Deliverables 15
9. General Contract Requirements 16
10. Appendices 17
Appendices
Appendix Page
Appendix A - NYSDEC CoRe Grant Invasive Species Removal & Treatment
18
Areas Overview
Appendix B - NYSDEC CoRe Grant Targeted Native Tree & Shrub Planting
19
Framework
Appendix C - Permanent 8-Foot Deer Exclosure Installation Plan 20
Appendix D - Approved NYSDEC Community Reforestation (CoRe) Work Plan
21
Summary
Appendix E - Project Technical Specifications 23
Appendix F - Insurance Requirements 25
Appendix G - New York State Prevailing Wage Requirements 27
Appendix H - Proposal Evaluation Form 28
0

1. Introduction
The Village of Irvington invites proposals from qualified ecological restoration contractors,
forestry professionals, and environmental restoration firms to implement ecological restoration
activities funded through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
(NYSDEC) Community Reforestation (CoRe) Grant Program.
This Request for Proposals (RFP) implements the Village's approved NYSDEC Community
Reforestation (CoRe) Grant Work Plan and supports the long-term restoration of Irvington
Woods Park, a 241-acre municipally owned forest preserve. Project objectives include restoring
native forest composition, enhancing ecological resilience, reducing invasive species, protecting
natural forest regeneration from deer herbivory, establishing native tree and shrub communities,
and improving watershed function, biodiversity, and wildlife habitat.
Contractors may submit proposals for one, two, or all three project components identified in this
RFP. The Village reserves the right to award individual components separately or collectively
based on the qualifications of the proposer(s), demonstrated experience, technical approach,
project capacity, and the proposal determined to provide the best overall value to the Village.
The Village of Irvington shall retain responsibility for project management, ecological oversight,
grant administration, GIS mapping, treatment area delineation, project inspection, and
compliance with the executed NYSDEC Community Reforestation (CoRe) Grant Agreement.
This RFP is intended solely to procure qualified contractors to implement the restoration work
described herein and is not a solicitation for project management or consulting services.
Irvington Woods Park was inducted into the Old-Growth Forest Network in 2024 in recognition
of its exceptional ecological significance and serves as one of the Village's highest-priority
natural resource conservation areas. The restoration activities described in this RFP are intended
to protect and enhance the long-term ecological integrity, biodiversity, and resilience of this
regionally important forest ecosystem.
2. Project Overview
Irvington Woods Park (IWP) is a 241-acre municipally owned forest preserve located within the
Village of Irvington, New York. Through funding provided by the New York State Department
of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Community Reforestation (CoRe) Grant Program,
the Village is implementing a multi-year ecological restoration project to improve forest health,
restore native biodiversity, promote natural regeneration, and enhance long-term watershed
resilience.
Approximately 99.5 acres have been identified for ecological restoration through field
inventories, GIS analysis, LiDAR-derived canopy modeling, watershed assessments, and long-
1

term forest management planning. Priority restoration areas include forests impacted by invasive
shrubs, invasive canopy trees, invasive vines, and wetland invasive species. Restoration activities
will reduce invasive species pressure, protect natural forest regeneration from deer herbivory,
restore native forest composition, and establish diverse native tree and shrub communities.
Important Notice to Prospective Bidders
The Village encourages qualified contractors to submit proposals for any one (1), any
combination of two (2), or all three (3) project components. Contractors are not required to bid
on the entire project.
The implementation components are:
* Component A - Invasive Species Removal & Treatment
* Component B - Permanent Deer Exclosure Installation
* Component C - Site Preparation, Native Tree & Shrub Establishment
The Village intends to award one or more contracts and reserves the right to award components
separately or collectively based on the qualifications of the proposer(s), demonstrated
experience, technical approach, project capacity, and the proposal determined to provide the best
overall value to the Village.
Project Funding
The Irvington Woods Park Ecological Restoration Project is funded through a $382,316 award
from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
Community Reforestation (CoRe) Grant Program.
The implementation work solicited through this Request for Proposals represents the principal
field restoration activities identified in the approved CoRe Work Plan. The anticipated
implementation budget is allocated as follows:
Project Component Estimated Budget
Component A - Invasive Species Removal & Treatment $105,800
Component B - Permanent Deer Exclosure Installation $38,500
Component C - Site Preparation, Native Tree & Shrub Establishment $186,750
Total Estimated Implementation Budget $331,050
The remaining grant funds are retained by the Village of Irvington for project management,
ecological oversight, grant administration, GIS mapping, project inspection, monitoring,
reporting, and other responsibilities identified in the executed NYSDEC Community
Reforestation (CoRe) Grant Agreement.
2

Governing Documents
All work performed under this Request for Proposals (RFP) shall comply with the following, as
applicable:
* Contract between the State of New York and the Village of Irvington regarding the
NYSDEC Community Reforestation (CoRe) Grant, dated December 29, 2025.
* Approved NYSDEC Community Reforestation (CoRe) Grant Work Plan,
summarized in Appendix D.
* NYS DEC Urban and Community Forestry Program - 2024 Community
Reforestation (CoRe) Grant - Guidelines and Bid Instructions.
* Village of Irvington Comprehensive Purchasing Policy and Procedures (December 1,
2025).
* New York State Prevailing Wage Law and Regulations.
* All applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, permits, and environmental
requirements.
The successful Contractor(s) shall perform all work in accordance with these governing
documents and under the direction of the Village Project Manager.
Village Responsibilities
The Village of Irvington shall retain responsibility for:
* Project management and ecological oversight.
* Grant administration and NYSDEC reporting.
* GIS mapping and treatment area delineation.
* Contract administration.
* Field inspections and quality assurance.
* Review of contractor deliverables.
* Final acceptance of completed work.
3. Project Objectives
The primary objectives of the Irvington Woods Park Ecological Restoration Project are to:
* Reduce invasive plant populations through integrated vegetation management.
* Protect natural forest regeneration by reducing deer herbivory within priority restoration
areas.
3

* Restore native forest composition through natural regeneration and targeted
establishment of native trees and shrubs.
* Improve forest health, structural diversity, and long-term ecological resilience.
* Enhance biodiversity by increasing the abundance and diversity of native plant
communities.
* Improve wildlife habitat through restoration of native forest structure and composition.
* Protect and enhance watershed function through ecological restoration and sustainable
forest management practices.
* Promote self-sustaining native forest communities through active restoration and adaptive
management.
* Meet the objectives, performance standards, and implementation requirements
established by the NYSDEC Community Reforestation (CoRe) Grant Program.
4. Project Components
The Village of Irvington intends to award one or more contracts to implement the following
ecological restoration components. Contractors may submit proposals for one, two, or all three
project components.
Component A - Invasive Species Removal & Treatment
Purpose
Restore native forest composition and ecological function by reducing invasive plant populations
and promoting natural forest regeneration within designated restoration areas.
Project Area
Approximately 99.5 acres distributed among four designated restoration treatment areas within
Irvington Woods Park.
Refer to Appendix A - NYSDEC Community Reforestation (CoRe) Grant - Invasive
Species Removal & Treatment Areas Overview.
Scope of Work
The Contractor shall furnish all labor, supervision, equipment, herbicides, transportation,
permits, materials, and incidentals necessary to complete invasive species management activities.
Work may include, but is not limited to:
* Mechanical removal
4

* Mechanical brush cutting
* Tree felling using chainsaws
* Forestry mowing (where approved)
* Cut-stump herbicide treatment
* Basal bark herbicide treatment
* Stem injection
* Limited foliar herbicide application
* Follow-up invasive species treatment
* Site stabilization and restoration of disturbed areas
Target Invasive Species
The Contractor shall manage the invasive plant species identified within the designated treatment
areas shown in Appendix A.
Treatment methods shall be selected based on the invasive species present within each treatment
area and implemented in accordance with the approved NYSDEC Community Reforestation
(CoRe) Grant Work Plan and the NYS DEC Urban and Community Forestry Program -
2024 Community Reforestation (CoRe) Grant - Guidelines and Bid Instructions.
The Contractor shall minimize impacts to native vegetation and employ the least intensive
treatment necessary to achieve long-term invasive species control.
Herbicide Selection and Application
All pesticide applications shall be performed by a New York State Certified Commercial
Pesticide Applicator licensed in the appropriate category.
The Village Project Manager shall have final authority regarding:
* Herbicide products
* Application methods
* Treatment timing
* Treatment locations
* Implementation sequencing
No pesticide application shall occur without prior written approval from the Village and shall
comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
Performance Standard
The Contractor shall implement invasive species management practices designed to achieve a
minimum 80 percent mortality of targeted invasive species within the designated treatment
areas, as determined by the Village Project Manager through field inspections and follow-up
evaluations.
5

Estimated Work Period
* Initial Treatment: September - November 2026
* Follow-up Treatment (as needed): August - November 2027
* Final Follow-up (if necessary): August - November 2028
Component B - Permanent Deer Exclosure Installation
Purpose
Protect natural forest regeneration from deer herbivory by installing permanent wildlife
exclusion fencing within priority forest restoration areas.
Project Area
Install approximately 4,000 linear feet of permanent 8-foot deer exclusion fencing at four
locations identified in:
Appendix C - NYSDEC Community Reforestation (CoRe) Grant - Permanent Deer
Exclosure Installation Plan
Scope of Work
The Contractor shall furnish all labor, supervision, equipment, transportation, materials, permits,
and incidentals necessary to complete fence installation.
Work includes:
* Field verification of fence alignment
* Minimal clearing along fence alignment
* Installation of line posts
* Installation of corner and brace assemblies
* Installation of continuous top rail
* Installation of welded-wire fencing
* Installation of lockable maintenance gates
* Minor grading, where necessary
* Restoration of disturbed areas
* Final inspection with the Village
Technical Specifications
Unless otherwise approved in writing by the Village Project Manager, the fencing system shall
include:
6

* Permanent 8-foot wildlife exclusion fence
* Black PVC-coated galvanized welded-wire mesh
* Approximately 2-inch x 4-inch mesh openings
* Black powder-coated galvanized steel line posts
* Reinforced corner and gate posts
* Continuous galvanized steel top rail
* Corrosion-resistant hardware
* Lockable maintenance gates
* Installation consistent with the preferred fencing system illustrated in Appendix C, or an
approved equivalent meeting or exceeding the minimum technical specifications.
Environmental Protection
The Contractor shall:
* Minimize disturbance to native vegetation, wetlands, streams, wildlife habitat, and
existing park infrastructure.
* Limit equipment access to Village-approved routes.
* Prevent unnecessary disturbance to adjacent native vegetation.
* Restore disturbed areas immediately following installation.
Estimated Work Period
* September - November 2026
Component C - Site Preparation, Native Tree & Shrub Establishment
Purpose
Restore native forest composition and accelerate forest regeneration following invasive species
management through site preparation and the establishment of native containerized trees, shrubs,
and approximately two-year-old bare-root seedlings.
Project Area
Planting locations are identified in:
Appendix B - NYSDEC Community Reforestation (CoRe) Grant - Targeted Native Tree &
Shrub Planting Framework
Scope of Work
The Contractor shall furnish all labor, supervision, equipment, transportation, materials, permits,
and incidentals necessary to complete site preparation and native tree and shrub establishment.
7

Work includes:
* Site preparation within approved restoration areas
* Delivery and inspection of nursery stock
* Installation of containerized trees and shrubs
* Installation of browse protection, where required
* Initial watering and stabilization
* Replacement of failed nursery stock during the warranty period
* Documentation of installed plant material
Approximately 6,025 native trees and shrubs are anticipated for installation.
Nursery Stock
All nursery stock shall meet accepted nursery industry standards.
The Village Project Manager shall approve all nursery stock prior to delivery.
The Contractor shall coordinate nursery selection with the Village Project Manager before
procurement and delivery.
The Contractor shall maintain proper transportation, storage, handling, and planting procedures
to protect plant health from the time material leaves the nursery through final installation.
Roots and planting media shall be protected from drying, overheating, freezing, and mechanical
damage.
The Village Project Manager may reject any nursery stock determined to be unhealthy, damaged,
improperly handled, or otherwise inconsistent with the approved project specifications. Rejected
material shall be replaced at no additional cost to the Village.
Warranty
The Contractor shall warrant all installed nursery stock in accordance with the submitted
proposal and contract documents.
Any plant material determined by the Village Project Manager to have failed due to improper
handling, storage, installation, or workmanship during the warranty period shall be replaced by
the Contractor at no additional cost to the Village.
Estimated Work Period
* Spring - Fall 2027
8

5. Contractor Qualifications
The Village seeks proposals from qualified firms with demonstrated experience in ecological
restoration, invasive species management, reforestation, habitat restoration, and natural resource
management.
Contractors shall possess the personnel, equipment, financial capacity, and technical expertise
necessary to successfully complete the work described in this Request for Proposals.
A. General Qualifications
Contractors shall:
* Have a minimum of five (5) years of experience performing ecological restoration,
forestry, environmental, or land management projects of similar size and complexity.
* Be authorized to conduct business within New York State.
* Be registered as a New York State Vendor, if applicable.
* Maintain all insurance required by the Village of Irvington.
* Comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.
* Comply with New York State Prevailing Wage requirements.
* Demonstrate the financial and organizational capacity to complete the proposed work.
B. Technical Experience
Preference will be given to firms demonstrating experience with:
* Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM)
* Invasive species management
* Ecological restoration
* Forest restoration and reforestation
* Native tree and shrub establishment
* Wildlife exclusion fencing
* Municipal, state, or conservation-based restoration projects
* Work within forests, wetlands, and watershed protection areas
C. Personnel Qualifications
Personnel shall possess experience appropriate for the project component(s) proposed.
For Component A:
* New York State Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator.
* Demonstrated experience with mechanical and chemical invasive species management.
For Component B:
9