Addendum 1.pdf

This addendum to a solicitation issued by the Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, clarifies public access provisions for the Joshua Creek West 26/27 Grazing Lease opportunity. The Florida Forest Service is seeking qualified beef producers to lease 616 acres within the Charles H. Bronson State Forest in Christmas, Florida, for a new cattle grazing operation. Attendance at a mandatory site visit on November 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern is required for bid submission. Bids must be submitted by November 25, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern to 3125 Conner Boulevard, MS C-25, Tallahassee, Florida 32399. The public bid opening is scheduled for November 30, 2026, with an anticipated Notice of Agency Intent to Award on December 11, 2026, and a contract start date of January 9, 2027. The lease term is five years from execution, with one optional five-year renewal at the Department's sole discretion. The current stocking rate is 75 animal units, subject to annual review and adjustment prior to payment processing.

Bidders must submit a firm, fixed price per animal unit, with bid price evaluated on a 50-point scale awarding full points to the highest bid. Qualification requirements include management of a beef production operation of at least 700 acres in Florida within the past two years, a 10-year successful beef production track record supported by three credible references, current enrollment in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Cow/Calf Best Management Practices Program, and good standing with the Florida Cattlemen's Association. All operational costs, including fence construction and maintenance, water, equipment, herbicide treatments, and soil amendments, are the lessee's responsibility. Required insurance includes commercial general liability of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, plus automobile liability of $300,000 per automobile, with the State of Florida named as additional insured. The land is accepted in "as is" condition with no sod harvesting or hunting rights permitted to the lessee. Written inquiries must be submitted by November 12, 2026, directed to FFS_BIDSFM@FDACS.gov. Protests must be filed with the Department's Agency Clerk in accordance with Florida Statutes Chapter 120.