1-D. SPECIFICATIONS.pdf

IFB-SP-26-073

SPECIFICATIONS

LEASE OF CATTLE GRAZING LAND

1. INTRODUCTION

The Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Nature Resources (PRNR) is seeking to lease approximately two hundred and eight (208) acres of County owned property in the Spring Hill area, as described in Exhibit “A” for cattle grazing. PRNR will serve as the managing agency for the property listed under Parcel ID: 21-24-18-0000-00100-0000.

2. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.1 All activities authorized or required under the lease, including, but not limited to agricultural repairs, improvements, management, and security. Work must be performed in accordance with all applicable state, local and national laws and codes.

2.2 If required by law, activities authorized or required under the lease All work must, at Lessee’s expense, be completed by a person or company licensed in the state of Florida to perform such activities

2.3 The Lessee is responsible for all processes and costs associated with obtaining and maintaining any required permits, certifications or licenses required of the Lessee to engage in the activities authorized or required under the lease.

2.4 The Lessee must provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals used on all Pasco County properties.

2.5 The County reserves the right to award the lowest, responsive, responsible Lessee per line item.

2.6 All quantities stated in this solicitation are estimates for bidding purposes. The County does not guarantee any quantities mentioned herein.

3. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

3.1 The successful Lessee must be operating within the cattle industry for a minimum of the past six (6) years and provide the start date of initial operations in the cattle industry. Lessee should provide these documents to verify this qualification at the time of bid submittal.

3.2 A background check may be conducted to verify no previous offenses with Trespass or related similar offenses. Violations may result in disqualification for this bid award.

4. SCOPE OF SERVICES

4.1 Cattle will be used as a management tool for the listed properties.

4.1.1 The Lessee may use the designated areas of the outlined property for cattle grazing operations only.

4.2 The attached Range Management Plan (Exhibit “B”) provides the guidelines and conditions for the grazing lease.

4.3 The successful Lessee shall implement and maintain the applicable Best Management Practices (BMP) and keep adequate records to maintain a presumption of compliance with state water quality standards.

4.4 No other animals shall be allowed for grazing such as water buffalo, elk, antelope, or other similar non-native animals to Central Florida.

However, donkeys may be allowed as protection tool for calves from wild animals such as coyote.

4.5 Horses associated with cattle management will be allowed.

4.6 The agreement requires monitoring of plant height, pasture condition, soil condition and rangeland conditions.

4.7 Grazing records will be maintained by Lessee and provided to PRNR on a Yearly basis or upon request

4.8 Timbering and prescribed burning management practices may occur on grazing areas and the Lessee will be required to work around these operations. Pasco County PRNR will notify the Lessee of these prescribed burns within a reasonable timeframe.

4.9 Hydrologic restoration may occur in the future, which may reduce grazing availability on certain areas.

4.10 The Lessee will be required to accomplish certain management activities for the properties which include cattle grazing management, pasture management, and removal of invasive exotic species.

4.11 The PRNR supports the utilization of grazing as a tool in the maintenance of tame grass pastures and native range wherever appropriate as long as the site’s natural resources are not adversely affected.

4.12 The Lessee will take appropriate measures to prevent overgrazing, pasture degradation and other environmental impacts to the properties.

4.13 The Lessee will conduct all activities in accordance with Exhibit “B” when practicable and applicable.

5. GENERAL OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT

5.1 Management activities such as security, mowing, fence and gate maintenance will be included in the grazing management plan along with the maximum number of sixty-five (65) cattle grazing units.

5.2 The Lessee may stock any number of animal units below the maximum stocking rate stated.

5.3 Unless specifically authorized in writing by PRNR in advance, plowing, ditching or digging of water holes is prohibited.

5.4 Additional pasture management activities may include mowing the pasture at a time agreed to by the PRNR and is part of the pasture management of the cattle grazing agreement.

5.5 The boundary fencing is set as an “AS IS” condition and is required to be repaired by the Lessee to a good standing condition.

5.6 The PRNR shall be the owner of all fence improvements.

5.7 The PRNR may approve temporary fencing requests from the Lessee; such requests shall be submitted by the Lessee in writing.

5.6.1 Lessee shall repair interior fences such that Lessee’s grazing animals are contained on designated leased area.

5.8 The Lessee shall be responsible and liable for keeping their cattle within the designated leased area.

5.9 The Lessee will provide at minimum biweekly security of the premises by examining the perimeter fencing and all gates.

5.10 The Lessee will be responsible for not introducing any exotic plants through hay supplements or bringing cattle from other pastures not part of this lease unless quarantined prior to moving into the pasture for seven (7) days so no exotic seed source is introduced.

5.11 Cattle holding areas will be free of junk, debris and litter at all times.

5.12 Fertilizing of the pasture areas will not be allowed unless requested by the Lessee and approved by PRNR in writing.

5.13 Lessee will provide invasive species control.

5.14 The Lessee will have the right to use animal pens or temporary pens may be installed near the existing pen area.

5.15 The Lessee will not leave sick or dead animals in the cattle grazing areas.

5.16 The Lessee may only store equipment engaged in cattle grazing operations on the property.

5.17 Equipment used for cattle operations may not block access for County vehicles.

5.18 The Lessee will provide current phone numbers so they can be reached by the PRNR or designee in case of an emergency.

6. COUNTY PARTNERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

6.1 The PRNR will be responsible for overseeing this agreement to ensure that the partnership is successful and that implementation is consistent with the terms of the property management, cattle grazing lease and these specifications.

6.2 PRNR or designee will visit the property to inspect cattle grazing activity and management of pastures.

6.3 The PRNR and the Lessee will meet annually to review and, if necessary, revise the RMP, which includes the pasture management plan, fencing plan, and invasive species management and prevention.

6.4 If an agreement cannot be reached between the two (2) parties the lease agreement will be terminated, and the Lessee will have sixty (60) days to remove all grazing animals.

7. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND PROHIBITIONS

The Lessee shall immediately report any incident of the following to the PRNR or designee:

• Fire

• Damage to exterior fence

• Vandalism

• Theft

• Poaching

• Trespassing

• Any hazard condition or situation that may become a liability to the County or may be damaging to the property or improvements on the property.

8. PRESCRIBED FIRE

8.1 The PRNR may conduct prescribed fires and will notify the Lessee of scheduled burns within the grazing areas.

8.2 The Lessee may not conduct a prescribed burn unless permission is granted by the PRNR. If permission is granted, the Lessee will submit a written burn plan that meets the Florida Forest Service requirements.

8.3 The Lessee will disc or mow existing boundary fire lines at minimum; annually as determined by the PRNR or designee.

9. PAYMENT SCHEDULE

9.1 The Lessee is required to remit to the Pasco County PRNR the annual lease payment on the beginning anniversary date of each year of the Lease term.

9.2 Lease payments are due annually. Payments made over thirty (30) days late will be considered a material breach of the Lease.

10. WARRANTY AND DAMAGES

10.1 The Lessee is responsible for all damage or personal injury resulting from it’s operations, including, but not limited to:

• If cattle damage the Lessors property, the Lessee may be required to compensate.

• If cattle or other operations injure the Lessor, Lessee or their personnel they are liable.

• Any damage or personal injury will be reported immediately to the POC.

10.1 Should Lessee fail to perform damage repair work as scheduled, and to a standard acceptable by the County, the County will procure services from another Lessee. These costs will be the responsibility of the Lessee.

10.2 Lessee will be responsible for any costs (from neglected damage or personal injury) determined to be caused by the Lessee.

11. BASIS OF AWARD

10.3 This solicitation is a revenue-generating lease agreement. Therefore, award will be made to the responsive and responsible Bidder offering the highest revenue to the County, based on the proposed price per animal as submitted in the Bid Schedule.

10.4 The County will evaluate responsiveness to all solicitation requirements and responsibility of the Bidder prior to award. Failure to comply with material requirements of this solicitation may result in rejection of the Bid.

10.5 The County has established a minimum acceptable revenue threshold of $225.00 per animal. Bids submitted below this amount may be rejected as non-responsive or not in the best interest of the County.

END OF SPECIFICATIONS