AGR05-STEW_ad1.pdf
PDF 133 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Bare-root Seedling Planting Service
- Solicitation number
- AGR05-STEW
- Issued by
- Delaware
About this file
This is Addendum #1 to an Invitation to Bid issued by the Delaware Department of Agriculture Forest Service for bare-root seedling planting services statewide. The addendum, dated February 17, 2026, provides written responses to clarifying questions submitted by potential offerors regarding the procurement. The project involves planting approximately 57,150 bare-root seedlings across eight locations in Delaware during the spring of 2026, with an anticipated similar volume for spring 2027. Seedlings are expected to range between 16 and 28 inches in height, inclusive of roots and stems. The planting sites are distributed across three counties: one location in New Castle County (approximately 13,150 seedlings), four locations in Kent County (approximately 12,700 seedlings), and three locations in Sussex County (approximately 31,300 seedlings). The contract is statewide in scope, and the awarded vendor must be capable of servicing all eight locations; bidders cannot restrict their proposals to northern locations only. Original bid responses were due February 20, 2026, at 1:00 PM local time, with public opening to follow immediately thereafter. The contract term extends two years from March 15, 2026, through March 14, 2028, with potential renewal options available through negotiation.
Pricing must include separate unit costs for planting seedlings with tree tubes (including supply and installation of five-foot perforated tree shelters, stakes, and fastening hardware) and planting seedlings without tree shelters. This is not a prevailing wage project. The contract is not set aside for small or minority business enterprises, and no incumbent contractor exists as this represents a new procurement for Delaware. The state will not provide performance bond requirements, though all bids must be accompanied by a $1,000 certified or cashier's check serving as a bid bond. Prices are firm for the initial two-year contract period with no renegotiation permitted; after the first two years, adjustments may be considered based on Consumer Price Index escalation. The state reserves the right to award the contract to only one contractor. Exact planting site locations and maps will be released to the awarded vendor upon contract issuance, as most sites are located on private property. All planting must be completed by May 15, 2026, unless extended due to weather and site conditions. Prospective bidders must use only dibble bars or hoedads for planting, as these tools are appropriate for the reforestation-grade hardwoods provided, and gas-powered augers are explicitly not acceptable.
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| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| AGR05-STEW_ad2.pdf | ||
| AGR05-STEW_rfp.pdf |
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Text version
2/17/206
TO: ALL OFFERORS
FROM: Chris Miller Deputy State Forester
SUBJECT: ADDENDUM TO INVITATION TO BID – AGR – FS-05-STEW Bare Root Seedling Planting Services
ADDENDUM # 1
All other terms and conditions remain the same.
If you have any questions, please contact me at 302-698-4548 or chris.miller@delaware.gov.
mailto:chris.miller@delaware.gov
Addendum # 1 – Written Questions & Answers AGR05-STEW
I am in the process of reviewing this RFP and I would like to clarify the size/ height of the bareroot seedlings.
The size of the seedling is dependent on growing conditions and weather, but most seedlings should be between 16” and 28” inclusive of both the roots and the stem.
There are also 8 locations, is there a possibility to bid on northern locations only, as we are located in Wilmington.
This is a state wide contract and we would expect the awarded vendor to be able to plant all the projects across the state.
Provide and install Tree Tube as per spec (Do you want just a price for the tree tube, stick and labor?)
We are looking for a price to supply the tube, the stake, and the labor to complete the planting of the tree and installation of the tube and stake according to manufacturer specifications.
Cost to plant seedling without tree tube (Will you be planting trees on sites without tree shelters? Do these trees need to be in rows?
We are asking for a price to plant seedlings without a shelter if the need should arise.
Unlike the trees planted in tubes there is no expectation of maintenance therefore spacing is approximate and the trees will not need to be planted in straight lines.
Is this work prevailing wage? If so does DD-AFS have the wage sheet for this project?
This is not a prevailing wage job
Do you have a list of the potential planting sites? Or breakdown of areas in terms of counties?
There are 8 planting sites. 1 in New Castle County that is approximately 13,150 seedlings. 4 planting sites in Kent County with approximately 12,700 seedlings, and 3 in Sussex County with approximately 31,300 seedlings for the spring of 26 planting season. We do not yet have numbers for the spring of 2027 planting season but expect them to be of similar volume and dispersal across the state.
For tree shelters what is the required circumference of the installed shelter?
There is no minimum required circumference, as it is assumed that the awarded vendor will use commercially available tree shelters that are all similar circumferences.
What is the range of heights for the seedlings? This will make a big difference in the labor due to planting depths/tree shelter heights etc.
The size of the seedling is dependent on growing conditions and weather, but most seedlings should be between 16” and 28” inclusive of both the roots and the stem.
Many of the bid forms say response was due by January 26th – not February 20th – please update forms
Thank you for pointing that out. Please check back at https://mmp.delaware.gov/Bids/ soon to find updated forms.
Will site locations, maps and/or aerial images be provided, if available?
They will be provided on award of the contract.
https://mmp.delaware.gov/Bids/
Why are planting tools limited to dibble bars and hoedads?
We are planting reforestation grade hardwoods, as such they have been grown at the nursery to have an appropriate root size for hoadads and dibble bars. Additionally shovels leave a much higher chance for trees to be planted at the incorrect depth or with air pockets
Will the Contractor be required to maintain or warranty the plants installed?
No.
Are prices firm for the 2-year contract or will a CPI escalation request be granted for year 2?
No, during the first 2 year of the contract the number cannot be renegotiated, after that we can look at where the number is and make adjustments based on CPI
Does this contract contain any small or minority business participation goals or set-asides?
No we plan to award only one contractor
Will background checks be required?
No, we rely on the contractor for that.
Is there a bid bond?
No, bid bond but all bids must be furnished with 1000 certified or cashiers check that acts as that.
Is there an incumbent?
This is a new contract for the state of Delaware that has not previously been awarded.
Is the contract multi-award?
No
Please confirm whether or not bids may be submitted electronically.
No, must be mailed or delivered to 2320 S Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901.
Will the public opening be virtual or in-person?
In person
Can you provide any more information on the eight site details for this bid, including maps potentially? Thanks and have a great day, As most of these projects are being implemented on private property we will be releasing maps and exact locations to the awarded vendor at the time we issue the contract. But the trees and sites per county breakdown is as follows. 1 in New Castle County that is approximately 13,150 seedlings. 4 planting sites in Kent County with approximately 12,700 seedlings, and 3 in Sussex County with approximately 31,300 seedlings for the spring of 26 planting season. We do not yet have numbers for the spring of 2027 planting season but expect them to be of similar volume and dispersal across the state.
Are you able to provide a list of site addresses or general geographic locations to help contractors estimate travel costs and production rates?
As most of these projects are being implemented on private property we will be releasing maps and exact locations to the awarded vendor at the time we issue the contract. But the trees and sites per county breakdown is as follows. 1 in New Castle County that is approximately 13,150 seedlings. 4 planting sites in Kent County with approximately 12,700 seedlings, and 3 in Sussex County with approximately 31,300 seedlings for the spring of 26 planting season. We do not yet have numbers for the spring of 2027 planting season but expect them to be of similar volume and dispersal across the state.
Would a gas-powered auger be approved in lieu of a hoedad or dibble bar?
A gas powered auger would not be acceptable for use.
Do you have the bid packet for this project?
The bid packet can be found at Bids - DE Bids Contracts. The RFP was posted on February 6th so you may have to scroll.
https://mmp.delaware.gov/Bids/
ADDENDUM # 1
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .