2026-2027 Hand-Planting Containerized Longleaf Pine Seedlings at Withlacoochee State Forest

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS or Department), Florida Forest Service (FFS) seeks to obtain competitive bids for hand-planting approximately 527 acres of containerized longleaf pine seedlings on five (5) separate areas of forest within Withlacoochee State Forest located in Citrus County and Hernando County, Florida.

The Department intends to make a single award or to make no award, as determined to be in the best interest of the State.

The Contractor shall provide all labor, materials, equipment, tools, transportation, supplies, and supervision required to hand-plant containerized longleaf pine seedlings for the approximate acreage as specified in Section 2.6. The Contractor must use planting equipment acceptable to the Florida Forest Service (FFS) as specified herein and plant all required seedlings per site. All pine seedlings will be provided by the Florida Forest Service. No other materials, labor, or equipment will be furnished by the Florida Forest Service, or the Forester-in-Charge, unless specifically identified.

The anticipated contract period for the planting project shall be upon execution of the Department's purchase order through February 28, 2027. No planting may begin before December 15, 2026, and must be completed by February 28, 2027.

Approximately 527 acres at five (5) sites in Withlacoochee State Forest will require hand-planting. All 527 acres must be planted in accordance with the spacing requirements described in this section.

• Citrus Tract (Approximately 338 acres): Spacing shall be approximately five feet (5') between the trees and twelve feet (12') between rows to achieve an approximate stocking density of 726 trees per acre.
• Two-Mile Prairie Tract and Croom Tract site (189 acres): Spacing shall be approximately nine feet (9') between trees and twelve feet (12') between rows to achieve an approximate stocking density of 400 trees per acre.

The Contractor must furnish sufficient personnel and equipment to plant an average of at least 40 acres per day and complete the project in the time allowed. The Contractor must be equipped with the following hand planting tools: Containerized Seedling Dibble and Concave Blade Hoedad.

**Sealed bids due November 20, 2026, 5:00PM ET.** Bids may be sent by U.S. mail, courier, overnight or hand delivered to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 407 S. Calhoun Street, SB-8 Mayo Building, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0800. Electronic (email/fax) submission of bids will not be accepted for the ITB. All bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope/package with the relevant ITB number clearly marked on the outside of the envelope/package. Late bids will not be accepted.

An award shall be made to the responsive and responsible vendor with the lowest Grand Total Price, as specified in *Attachment D - Price Sheet* for all specifications and considerations, in response to this ITB.

Vendors must include *Attachment C – FDACS Acknowledgement Form*, with their bid submission. Any vendor submitting a response to this ITB MUST execute the enclosed form *FDACS-01522, Attachment E*.

Any submitted bid shall remain valid for 90 calendar days from the bid submission date.

Vendors are strongly encouraged to inspect the project site prior to submitting a bid. Appointments for site inspections may be arranged by contacting the appropriate Project Manager listed in Section 2.3.