Addendum No. 1.pdf

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Commissioners

Rodney Barreto

Chairman

Coral Gables

Steven Hudson

Vice Chairman

Fort Lauderdale

Preston Farrior

Tampa

Joshua Kellam

Palm Beach Gardens

Gary Lester

Oxford

Albert Maury

Coral Gables

Sonya Rood

St. Augustine

Office of the

Executive Director

Roger A. Young

Executive Director

Charles “Rett” Boyd

Assistant Executive Director

George Warthen

Chief Conservation Officer

Jessica Crawford

Chief of Staff

850-487-3796

850-921-5786 FAX

Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.

620 South Meridian Street

Tallahassee, Florida

32399-1600

Voice: 850-488-4676

Hearing/speech-impaired:

800-955-8771 (T)

800-955-8770 (V)

MyFWC.com

DATE: SEPTEMBER 25, 2026

ADDENDUM NO.: 1

BID NO.: FWC 26/27-08

BID TITLE: LAKE TOHOPEKALIGA MECHANICAL HARVESTING

UPDATE: QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

The enclosed addendum has been issued for consideration in the preparation of your response to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Solicitation

No. FWC 26/27-08, “LAKE TOHOPEKALIGA MECHANICAL HARVESTING”.

All responses to the subject solicitation must be received no later than 2:30 PM (ET) on

Friday, October 2, 2026.

A response received after the exact time specified will not be considered. Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed in Section 120.57(3), Florida Statutes (F.S.), or failure to post the bond or other security required by law within the time allowed for filing a bond shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under Chapter 120, Florida Statutes.

Written notices, formal requests and proceedings must conform with the requirements set forth in Chapter 28-110, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). Protests must be filed with the Purchasing Office, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1875 Orange

Avenue East, Tallahassee, Florida 32311-6160 within the time prescribed in Section

120.57(3), F.S. and Chapter 28-110, F.A.C.

Sincerely, Xavier Wilson

FWC Procurement Manager

FWC SOLICITATION ADDENDUM 2

BEGIN ADDENDUM

QUESTION #1

Sections 3.1.1 and 4.1.1 define removal as extending to "mineralized soil" and reference organic material up to three (3) feet thick. Has FWC conducted any sediment probing, depth surveys, or volume estimates of the 15-acre work polygon? If so, please release the data (average and maximum organic layer thickness, water depths, or estimated volume) to all bidders.

ANSWER #1 No, FWC does not have any survey data or volume estimates. Per Specification 3.1.4, “All targeted area acreages and associated material volume calculations should be independently verified by the Contractor before submitting a bid on the project”.

QUESTION #2

How will the Project Manager determine that the mineral soil layer has been reached, and what tolerance, if any, applies to residual organic material at final inspection under Section 9.1?

ANSWER #2 The FWC Project Manager will determine whether the mineral soil layer has been reached through visual inspection and physical probing of the bottom substrate. Completion of each polygon will be evaluated using one (1) transect for every one-half (0.5) acre completed. Along each transect, three (3) rake throws will be collected. If more than one (1) of the three (3) rake throws is positive for root mass, the polygon will not be considered complete and additional removal will be required. The FWC Project Manager or an AHRES representative will be onsite during harvesting operations to provide advisement and verify that targeted material is harvested and disposed of at the designated in-lake disposal islands.

QUESTION #3

Section 7.1 states FWC will photograph and GPS-document the disposal islands before work begins. Please provide that baseline data (footprint area, elevations, existing spoil volumes) and confirm that Disposal Islands 1 and 2 have the capacity to receive the full volume of material from the work area within the footprint limit.

ANSWER #3 FWC does not have island baseline data. FWC has done similar (and larger) harvesting projects in this area and room for disposal on these islands has never been a problem. The plant material and associated muck dries and condenses quickly, particularly when compacted with heavy equipment. We will “use a GPS unit to collect data to document the islands’ global positions and footprint area” both prior to material placement and project completion to ensure the footprints have not expanded from the originating footprints.

If the island footprints have expanded, the contractor will be required to remove the material to return the islands to originating size(s).

The in-lake disposal islands can be viewed and measured on Google Earth’s website. The islands are both approximately 2 acres in size. The GPS coordinates on the in-lake disposal islands are:

In-lake disposal island 1: 28°13'50.10"N 81°22'41.75"W

In-lake disposal island 2: 28°13'29.46"N 81°22'19.07"W

FWC SOLICITATION ADDENDUM 3

QUESTION #4

What is the current lake stage (ft NGVD), and does FWC anticipate any scheduled drawdown or water-level changes between October and December 10, 2026? If work is suspended under Section 3.1.7 after mobilization, how will mobilization costs be handled?

ANSWER #4 The current lake stage is 54.0’ NGVD and will continue to rise (weather permitting) to 55.0’ NGVD by November 1. We do not anticipate any scheduled drawdowns between now and December 10th. Per Specification 12.2, “Reimbursement of mobilization and demobilization costs shall be determined by the measure of actual out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the contractor for labor, materials, equipment rental, and overhead with a profit of no more than 10% of those costs for performing the work”.

QUESTION #5

Section 12.1 asks for a price for mobilization and demobilization, and the Price Sheet requests fixed prices for

Items B and C. Section 12.2, however, states that mobilization and demobilization are reimbursed at actual cost with a profit of no more than 10% and supporting proof of payment. Are Items B and C paid at the fixed lump-sum amounts bid, or reimbursed at actual documented cost? If reimbursed, is the bid amount a not-to-exceed figure?

ANSWER #5 Mobilization and demobilization “actual costs” will be reimbursed in accordance with Specification

12.2. Items B and C are bid to allow for a maximum mobilization and demobilization costs of 5% each of the total bid price. These prices allow for prices to be included in the purchase order and to limit mobilization and demobilization reimbursement costs against the aquatic plant removal and disposal cost. The contractor must supply documentation for these costs to be reimbursed. Please be aware, if mobilization and demobilization reimbursement costs are less than prices bid for those services, these funds are not reimbursable against the purchase order (e.g., if the awarded contractor’s mobilization bid price is $5,000 and only $2,500 are eligible for reimbursement, only $2,500 of the $5,000 will be paid against the purchase order).

QUESTION #6

Section 12.1 states a payment may be requested "following mobilization and 25% completion." Is this one payment triggered when both conditions are met, or are mobilization and 25% completion separate payment events?

ANSWER #6 Both mobilization and 25% completion of the harvested area must be met to receive the first payment. Once the Contractor has completely mobilized all necessary equipment to conduct harvesting operations and disposal on the in-lake disposal islands and has completed 25% (3.75 acres) of aquatic plant removal and disposal, the first partial payment will be invoiced and paid.

QUESTION #7

Removing a full three (3) feet of material from 15 acres is approximately 72,600 cubic yards. Against the $200,000 budget in Section 1.2, that comes to about $2.75 per cubic yard, all in, covering excavation, barging, island preparation, turbidity control and monitoring, and mobilization and demobilization. That is far below what we

FWC SOLICITATION ADDENDUM 4

would expect for mechanical removal within lake disposal. Is the $200,000 figure firm? If the material is anywhere near 3 ft thick, will FWC raise the budget or reduce the acreage or depth to bring the project in line with it?

ANSWER #7 The thickness of the material varies throughout the project site and is not uniformly three (3) feet.

The $200,000 project budget is firm. FWC will not increase the project budget or reduce the required acreage based on material thickness.

QUESTION #8

On the Price Sheet, the total line is labeled "A. Total Bid Price (A+B+C)," which duplicates the letter used for Item

A. Please confirm this is a labeling error and that the total is the sum of Items A, B, and C.

ANSWER #8 Disregard the label “A”. The total bid price should be (A+B+C).

QUESTION #9

Section 4.1.2 permits equipment specifically designed for amphibious use to contact the lake bottom with written approval of the manufacturer's design specifications. Can this approval be requested and obtained before the bid due date, and what documentation does FWC require?

ANSWER #9

If a Contractor sought approval of proposed equipment prior to bid submission, the request and applicable equipment specifications were required to be submitted through the Solicitation Questions process. In order to address this concern prior to award, Contractors shall identify its intended equipment in addition to and part of a required Scheduled of Operations (to include number of personnel and proposed work schedule for completion) to be submitted with their bid response (this addition is a change from Specification 8.1).

Equipment identified by the manufacturer as meeting the applicable amphibious requirements will be accepted for amphibious use.

Example Only – Acceptable equipment is not limited to the configuration depicted:

FWC SOLICITATION ADDENDUM 5

QUESTION #10

Section 4.1.1 allows the Contractor, at its discretion, to provide floating-type mechanical removal equipment in addition to barge-mounted excavators. Would hydraulic (suction or auger-type) dredging equipment be acceptable as supplemental equipment? If so, how must dewatering and slurry be handled on the disposal islands, and does FWC consider such equipment "plant-shredding equipment" under Section 4.1.2?

ANSWER #10 Hydraulic dredging (suction or auger type) is not allowed for this project.

QUESTION #11

Section "Permitting" states permitting is FWC's responsibility and the Contractor must comply with permit conditions. Please provide copies of all applicable permits (including any DEP and USACE authorizations) so bidders can price compliance with their conditions.

ANSWER #11

The project is exempt under DEP Verification of Exemption #xxxxxxxx, in accordance with Section 403.813(1)(r), Florida Statutes, and is permitted under Department of the Army Permit SAJ-2015-00644 for the mechanical removal of aquatic plants on Lake Tohopekaliga. Copies of the applicable exemption and permit documentation will be provided to the awarded Contractor following award.

QUESTION #12

Attachment A, Section 4.E, requires "reasonable and adequate" commercial general liability coverage, and

Section 4.F refers to other insurance required in the Scope of Work, which lists none. Please state the minimum required limits for general liability, and whether any watercraft/marine liability, pollution liability, or additional-insured endorsements are required.

ANSWER #12

No additional insurance is required beyond workers’ compensation and general liability specified in “Purchase

Order Terms and Conditions” (Attachment A).

From Purchase Order Terms and Conditions:

The Contractor shall maintain Workers’ Compensation insurance in accordance with Attachment A, with minimum employers’ liability limits of $100,000 per accident, $100,000 per person, and $500,000 policy aggregate. Attachment A requires reasonable and adequate commercial general liability insurance coverage but does not establish a specific minimum coverage limit. No additional watercraft/marine liability, pollution liability, or additional-insured endorsements are required for this solicitation.

FWC SOLICITATION ADDENDUM 6

QUESTION #13

Section 6.1 refers to PVC poles delineating each work site. Will FWC install and maintain the PVC poles, and will

FWC mark the beneficial plant areas to be avoided under Section 3.1.2 and designate the approved travel routes to the disposal islands?

ANSWER #13 PVC poles delineating the work site serve as visual guides for equipment operators and the FWC Project Manager will maintain them. For payment purposes, the acreage harvested will be measured by GPS.

QUESTION #14

May the Contractor stage or store equipment, fuel, and barges at the FWC boat ramp at 1601 Scotty's Road? If so, what area is available, and are there restrictions on fuel storage and on interference with public launch use under Section 11.2(12)?

ANSWER #14 The FWC ramp is not open to the public. It is only used by governmental entities and contractors and must remain open and clear for use. The contractor may stage or store equipment, fuel and barges at the FWC ramp and surrounding FWC property at 1601 Scotty’s Road under direction of the FWC Project Manager.

QUESTION #15

The Scope requires work to begin within seven (7) days of the Notice to Proceed, while Section 11.2 states the

NTP will establish a commencement date within ten (10) calendar days of the Purchase Order. Please confirm the anticipated NTP date and how these two time frames work together. Please also confirm that December 10, 2026 controls over the one-year "Term" stated in the General Conditions.

ANSWER #15 Within the first three (3) days of receiving the purchase order, the FWC Project Manager and the contractor will agree on a starting date and a NTP will be issued. The agreed-upon starting date must be within ten (10) calendar days of the issuance of the purchase order. If a Force Majeure issue prevents commencement of the project (e.g., a snail kite starts nesting in the middle of the project area) and a purchase order has NOT been issued, we may carry the project over to the following year (commencement no sooner than September 24, 2027) under the project and procurement conditions. If the project has commenced and a purchase order has been issued, “[e]xtensions beyond these dates shall only be allowed at the sole discretion of the Commission Project Manager in case of Force Majeure”. If the project cannot be extended, conditions for payment purposes, per Specification 12.1, will be followed to determine partial payment of aquatic plant removal and disposal (“the acreage of targeted material that has been harvested and deposited on the in-lake disposal island will be determined by the Commission Project Manager using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) technology”).

END ADDENDUM