RFP - 2026 Farm Worker

GRAND TRAVERSE BAND OF OTTAWA AND CHIPPEWA INDIANS

Farm Worker 1

GTB 2025-051

Request for Offers

SUMMARY

Date: August 26, 2025

Offers due by: September 22, 2025

To: Prospective Bidders

Subject: Request for Proposals

1 Request for Offers

1.1 Summary

The Agricultural Farm Worker will report to the GTB Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Coordinator. The Farm Worker will be involved with all aspects of mid-late season agricultural activities. The farm worker will be offered on the job training to help better understand agricultural systems and ways to maximize efficiency in the GTB Farm systems.

1.2 Bidder Requirements

Each Bidder to this RFP is expected to fully inform themselves on all aspects of the work required to be performed.

1.3 Qualifications of Bidder

The Bidder, through its written proposal, provide evidence of ability and experience to undertake the specified objectives/duties in this Request for Proposal.

1.4 Acceptance of Offer

Acceptance of a proposal will occur only when a contract is executed.

2 Project Overview

2.1 Project Description

The GTB Farm Worker will be assist the Agriculture Coordinator in annual crop production. This includes the production, harvest, and packaging of the following crops: beans, beets, carrots, cucumber, onions, peppers, potato, pumpkins, squash, tomato, zucchini, and a few other specialty crops. There are also perennial crops to maintain and harvest that include blackberries, strawberries, and sweetgrass.

2.2 Scope of Services

Summary:

The Agricultural Farm Worker 1 will report to the GTB Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Coordinator. The Farm Worker will be involved with all aspects of mid-late season agricultural activities. The farm worker will be offered on the job training to help better understand agricultural systems and ways to maximize efficiency in the GTB Farm systems. Most days the farm worker will report to the GTB Peshawbestown Gitigaan (Farm) located just North of the GTB Strongheart Center. <10% of the time there will be work at farm sites in Antrim, Benzie, and Charlevoix Counties. In the case of these other sites, the farm worker can either meet the Agriculture Coodintator at these sites, or come to Pehsawbestown, where a ride with the Coordinator will be provided.

MINIMUM Qualifications:

High School Diploma or GED

- Must have passion for gardening, farming, or passion to learn about food production

- Must be able to show up on time, and work duration of assigned shift

- Work will generally be M-F 8:00AM - 5:00PM. Some flexibility is possible.

- 25-30 HRS/WK. This can be done in 3 or 4 days. (Example: M,T,W,Th; 8HRS/Day)

- Must be able to work in "field" conditions; ability to traverse uneven, loose ground

- Ability to work in adverse weather (rain, snow, cold weather). Field activity will be halted for severe weather (lightning, thunder, high wind events)

- Ability to lift 50 lbs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Annual crop planting, maintenance, and harvest

- Controlling unwanted plant growth (weeds)

- Assist with processing, packaging and distributing fresh produce from GTB farm sites to GTB Food Pantry, Youth Programs, and Elders Programs

- Use of hand tools including shovels, wheelbarrows, pruners, and cultivators

- Must ensure compliance with all applicable regulations

- Follow the funding agency and GTB policies an procedures

- Assist with implementation of EGLE Fish Management, USDA LFPA PLUS grant programming which will include: compost management, food pantry harvest and distribution

- Mulching perennial crops

- Irrigating/establishing/transplanting perennial crops

- Annual vegetable crop production

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to read and follow written procedures
• Attention to detail and accuracy required
• Must have good listening skills to work well with others, effective listening is critical
• Must have good organizational and time management skills
• Ability to ID crop plants vs unwanted plants OR ability to learn this skill
• An ability to honor traditional sugar bush life ways while also recognizing benefits of modern techniques and technology and how it can play a role in a goal of food sovereignty.

2.3 Safety Pre-Cautions

Due COVID-19 and other health issues, the follow safety guidelines need to be adhered to:

1. Follow all CDC and GTB policy during training environment.
2. Recommend contractor to be fully vaccinated.
3. COVID test required prior to start of contract

3 Submission Requirements

3.1 General Bid Form

Each person/vendor must submit the attached Bid Form and Qualification of Bidder, which includes contact information, references, and price quote. This Contract will pay an hourly rate up to $25/HR based on experience.

3.2 Evaluation Procedure

Proposals will be evaluated by GTB Agriculture & Food Sovereignty Department staff based upon the price, past experiences, and interview.

3.3 Offer Submission Deadline

To be considered, a bid package must be received by the Grand Traverse Band at the address shown below or by email by 2:00 p.m. local time on September 22, 2025. Bids received after this deadline will not be accepted. Bids will remain sealed until after the deadline.

Submit bid package to the following address:

William Derouin

2605 N West Bay Shore Dr

Peshawbestown, MI 49682

Or email bid to: William.Derouin@gtbindians.com

3.4 Inquiries

All questions relating to this RFP, including all questions relating to clarifications or

modifications of this RFP can be submitted the below:

William Derouin

231-534-7023

William.Derouin@gtb-nsn.gov

4 Additional Requirements

4.1 Cancellation of Contract

The contract generated by this RFP may be cancelled by GTB for noncompliance with specifications, inability to perform the contracting requirements of GTB or continued safety hazards. The cancellation notification shall state the cause or reason for the cancellation. Such cancellation would be at no charge to GTB other than for work authorized and completed at the

time of termination.

4.2 Native American/Alaskan Indian

Native American/Alaskan Indian preference applies; Bidders shall submit proof of Native American Indian status along with their bid.

4.3 Background Check

Prior to award of contract, the passing of a background check.

Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Bid Form and Qualification of Bidder

Request for Proposal GTB 2025-051

This statement will provide information which will enable GTB to evaluate the qualifications of your firm and staff regarding the requirements of this Request for Proposal. Please complete this form in its entirety and submit it along with other required proposal documents.

Bidder's Full Name

Address

City, State, Zip

Telephone Number

Organized and existing under the laws of or a resident of the State of , Doing business as

*Insert as applicable: "a Corporation" "a Partnership" or "an Individual".

Offer

Having examined the Request for Proposal and all matters referred to in the Instructions to Bidders, hereby submit the following bid:

Bid for per hour of work (Contract will be paid on a weekly basis)

Dollars

($_________________), in lawful money of the United States of America.

Experience

Provide three past experiences in the past five years that highlight your experience relevant to the required experience listed in the RFP. Also provide one experience of providing instruction in a training environment.

Traditional Sugar Bush Experience

1. Project Description:

Location:

Dates:

Work Performed:

1. Project Description:

Location:

Dates:

Work Performed:

1. Project Description:

Location:

Dates:

Work Performed:

Instructor

1. Project Description:

Location:

Dates:

Training Performed:

Current Openings for RFP 2026 Farm Worker Jobs at Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians