ESBD_409126_1745950033688_696-AG-25-B027 SOL.pdf

This is a solicitation document from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) for cotton harvesting services for the department's Southern Area Farms. The solicitation (IFB Number 696-AG-25-B027) seeks a contractor to perform custom cotton harvesting on approximately zero to 7,000 acres across four farms in Brazoria County, Texas: Clemens Farm (500 acres), Memorial Farm (450 acres), Ramsey Farm (1,500 acres), and Clements Trusty Camp II Farm (450 acres). The bid was issued on April 29, 2025, with a bid deadline of May 28, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. CT, and a planned service commencement date of September 1, 2025. The contract term is a one-year base period with options to renew for three additional one-year periods through August 31, 2029.

The solicitation requires the contractor to provide all necessary personnel, services, equipment, and supplies for cotton harvesting, with a preference for using department labor, machinery, and supplies when possible. The contractor must use round module harvesters with specific minimum horsepower requirements (John Deere 7760 and CP 690 with 530 HP) and provide between two to four harvesters. The pricing structure includes separate categories for cotton harvest with contractor-provided supplies and department-provided supplies, with line items for per-pound harvested cotton/lint rates, per-acre minimum costs, transportation costs, and monthly equipment transport fees. The document emphasizes compliance with department policies, safety requirements, and background check procedures for all personnel working on the project.