FWC 23.24-107 Addendum.pdf

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Commissioners Rodney Barreto Chairman Coral Gables

Steven Hudson Vice Chairman Fort Lauderdale

Preston Farrior Tampa

Gary Lester Oxford

Albert Maury Coral Gables

Gary Nicklaus Jupiter

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: APRIL 29, 2024

ADDENDUM NO.: 1

BID NO.: FWC 23/24-107

BID TITLE: CATTLE GRAZING AT THE OKALOACOOCHEE SLOUGH WMA

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 23/24-107, “Cattle Grazing at the Okaloacoochee Slough WMA”.

All responses to the subject solicitation must be received no later than 2:30 PM (ET) on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

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, Sarah Pegram, FWC Procurement Manager

FWC SOLICITATION ADDENDUM 2

BEGIN ADDENDUM

QUESTION #1

Are we allowed to view the lease at a date before bids are due on our own time?

ANSWER #1

Prospective bidders, as public visitors, can visit the area as it is open to the public, but must adhere to area rules. Prospective bidders are not to ask questions of any State employees while visiting the area.

Okaloacoochee Slough WMA area regulations can be found on myFWC.com or at the following link:

https://ocean.floridamarine.org/HGMSearch/BrochureDetails.aspx?srctype=pfs&title=okaloac oochee%20slough

QUESTION #2

Are we permitted to ride the whole lease to see everything we are bidding on?

ANSWER #2

No, vehicles may only be operated on named or numbered roads and named or numbered trails per area regulations. The pastures available for the cattle lease that can be viewed from the named roads are representative of the entire lease. The pastures could be accessed by foot if desired. Aerial imagery may also be useful for viewing the area.

QUESTION #3

What is the approximate move in date if awarded the bid?

ANSWER #3

The anticipated move in date is October 2024.

QUESTION #4

Given the property is to remain open to the public for access, who would be responsible, heaven forbid, say a public member visiting the lease were to get hurt on the property? Say for instance if a cow with a new calf got protective over or calf or something of the sort?

https://ocean.floridamarine.org/HGMSearch/BrochureDetails.aspx?srctype=pfs&title=okaloacoochee%20slough https://ocean.floridamarine.org/HGMSearch/BrochureDetails.aspx?srctype=pfs&title=okaloacoochee%20slough

FWC SOLICITATION ADDENDUM 3

ANSWER #4

The facts of the issue would determine the responsibility assigned. Contractor is responsible for it’s own actions and/or inactions. Contractor is responsible for the lease. Per the contract, Contractor would indemnify FWC.

QUESTION #5

Who would be responsible if a public member were to leave a gate open and cattle were allowed access to a road?

ANSWER #5

The facts of the issue would determine the responsibility assigned. Contractor is responsible for it’s own actions and/or inactions. Contractor is responsible for the lease. Per the contract, Contractor would indemnify FWC.

QUESTION #6

The boundary fences along 832, when those fences need to be replaced will they have to be installed as the fence stated in the lease agreement or will they be allowed to be put back as a 5 strand barbed wire fence to have a more secure fence along a roadway?

ANSWER #6

A 5-strand barbed wire fence will be allowed along County Road 832.

QUESTION #7

Upon burning of the property, how many acres per year does the commission plan to burn?

ANSWER #7

This will vary with a goal of burning approximately 2,800 acres per year.

QUESTION #8

Once controlled burns have been completed what is the estimated deferment time before grazing will be allowed on the burn?

ANSWER #8

This will vary depending on management goals but may likely be between 30-60 days post burning. The Project Manager will work with the Contractor for the specific unit and deferment time.

QUESTION #9

Who is responsible for deciding the deferment time?

FWC SOLICITATION ADDENDUM 4

ANSWER #9

The FWC Project Manager.

QUESTION #10

Will there be any limitations to the lease holder during hunting seasons preventing them from doing work on the property? If so, what would those limitations be?

ANSWER #10

No; however, any concerns can be addressed by the FWC Project Manager.

END ADDENDUM