FWC 26.27-11 ITB Final.pdf

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

1875 ORANGE AVE E

TALLAHASSEE, FL 32311-6160

(850) 488-6551

Lake Miccosukee Vegetation & Organic Sediment Management

FWC 26/27-11

INVITATION TO BID

ITB BIDDER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM

Purpose: The intent of this bid is to obtain competitive pricing for Lake Miccosukee mechanical muck management, whereby, a contractor utilizes heavy equipment to disturb the lake bottom to expose fresh, moist muck to expedite the deterioration process; to maximize the amount of muck that goes through the deterioration process. The muck may need repeated treatments, per the specifications contained herein. Only responsive and responsible Contractors will be considered for award of this Invitation to Bid

(ITB).

Responsive: To be responsive, a bid must constitute a definite, firm, unqualified and unconditional offer to meet all of the material terms of this ITB. Material terms are those that could affect the price, quantity, quality, or delivery. Also included as material terms are those which are clearly identified in this ITB and which, for reasons of policy, must be complied with at risk of bid rejection for non-responsiveness.

Non-Responsive: Any submission that does not comply with this ITB in any way, does not contain all the properly signed forms, supplements or deviates from the Bid requirements or has an incomplete Price Sheet may be considered nonresponsive at the discretion of the Procurement Manager.

Responsible Vendors: The Commission shall only consider responsible vendors. Responsible vendors are those that have, in the sole judgment of the Commission, the financial ability, experience, resources, skills, capability, reliability and business integrity necessary to perform the requirements of the contract. The Commission may also consider references and quality to determine the responsibility of the bid. The Commission reserves the right to use any information, whether supplied through the Bidder’s submission or otherwise obtained, in determining responsibility.

Sealed Bid: In response to an Invitation to Bid (ITB), a sealed bid is the final submission of a bid from a vendor prior to the bid deadline, after which no further submissions will be considered.

Rejection of Bids: The Commission reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any minor irregularity in the submissions received in response to this ITB. The Commission reserves the right to consider all information, whether submitted or otherwise, to determine responsiveness and responsibility and to reject bids accordingly.

Name of Business: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Contact Person Name: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Business Address: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

City: ______________________________ State: _______________________________ Zip code: _______________________________________

Phone: _____________________________ Fax: __________________________________ Email: _______________________________________

Federal Employer Identification Number: _________________________

The undersigned attest to the following:

“We understand all of the terms, conditions and the specifications contained herein and agree to abide by all of the terms, conditions and the specifications in their entirety.

Authorized Signature (Manual): ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Authorized Signature Name (Typed) and Title: __________________________________________________________________________________

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 07.01.2026 FWC 26/27-11, Page 3 of 70

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FWC 26/27-11

SCHEDULE DUE DATE METHOD

Bid Advertised September 25, 2026 Posted on the Vendor Information Portal (VIP)

MANDATORY Pre-Bid Conference October 8, 2026

@ 10 AM ET

See Pre-Bid Conference Clause

Deadline for Questions

Must be received PRIOR to:

October 15, 2026

@ 5:00 PM ET

See Solicitation Questions Clause

Anticipated date for Responses to Written Questions October 20, 2026 Posted on the Vendor Information Portal

SEALED BIDS DUE

(REMEMBER: The bid number should be clearly marked on envelope)

Must be received PRIOR to:

October 27, 2026

@ 4:00 PM ET

Mailing Address:

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Attn: Purchasing 1875 Orange Ave E Tallahassee, Florida 32311-6160

Submissions are due BEFORE the date and time of the public opening.

Public Bid Opening October 27, 2026

@ 4:00 PM ET

Public Opening Options for Attendance:

-In Person- 1875 Orange Ave E Tallahassee, FL 32311-6160

-Teleconference- Conference call phone number: 1.850.270.2928

Conference room number: 718.218.09#

Anticipated Date of Intended Award October 30, 2026 Posted on the Vendor Information Portal https://vendor.myfloridamarketplace.com/

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 07.01.2026 FWC 26/27-11, Page 4 of 70

GENERAL CONDITIONS

FWC 26/27-11

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC or Commission) mission is to manage fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people. The Commission administers six (6) major programs including habitat and species conservation, freshwater fisheries management, law enforcement, marine fisheries management, hunting and game management and fish and wildlife research.

A Bidder submitting a bid shall be registered in the MyFloridaMarketPlace (MFMP) system and where required, the Sunbiz system prior to the bid opening. Business entities which must be on file with Sunbiz include the following foreign and domestic entities: Corporations for and not for profit, Limited Liability Companies (LLC), Limited Partnerships (LP) including Limited Liability Limited Partnerships (LLLP), and organizations doing business under a fictitious name (DBA). A Bidder may not be considered for an award, if not registered in the MFMP and Sunbiz system. The Bidder’s registration address and federal employer identification (FEID) number should match the Bidder’s address and FEID number listed on the Bidder Acknowledgment form (Page 2).

Certified Minority-owned, Woman-owned and Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises, as certified by the State of Florida Office of Supplier Development, are encouraged by the Commission to participate in the bidding process.

Bids from Bidders shall include all necessary equipment to complete the job. The bidder is required to supply all specified documentation when submitting a bid for this project.

Please note:

• The terms “Contract,” “Agreement” and “Purchase Order” are used interchangeably in the document.

• The terms “Commodities” and “Goods” are used interchangeably in the document.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

PUR 1000 and PUR1001 are hereby incorporated by reference. PUR1000 and PUR1001 can be found at the Department of Management Services website at the following link:

https://www.dms.myflorida.com/business_operations/state_purchasing/state_agency_resources/state_purchasing_pur _forms

The following terms and conditions take precedence over the PUR1001 and PUR1000 forms where applicable. The Commission objects to and shall not consider any additional terms or conditions submitted by a Bidder or Contractor, including any appearing in documents attached as part of a Bidder’s response. In signing and submitting its bid, a Bidder agrees that any additional terms or conditions, whether submitted intentionally or inadvertently, shall have no force or effect. Failure to comply with terms and conditions, including those specifying information that must be submitted with a bid, shall be grounds for rejecting a bid.

The terms and conditions of Attachment A, Purchase Order Terms and Conditions, are hereby incorporated into this solicitation. Any contract resulting from this solicitation will include the terms and conditions of this solicitation and the terms and conditions contained in Attachment A.

PROCUREMENT MANAGER

Elbert Orellana Elbert.orellana@myfwc.com https://www.dms.myflorida.com/business_operations/state_purchasing/state_agency_resources/state_purchasing_pur_forms https://www.dms.myflorida.com/business_operations/state_purchasing/state_agency_resources/state_purchasing_pur_forms

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 07.01.2026 FWC 26/27-11, Page 5 of 70

ESTIMATED BUDGET

The Commission has an estimated budget for this project of $355,000.

TERM

The contract will be effective one year upon issuance of Purchase Order.

If circumstances constituting Force Majeure have occurred, or if anything occurs beyond the Contractor’s control, the Contractor shall submit an extension request in writing. The Project Manager and Contract Manager will review the extension request and if they determine it is justified, will forward to the Bid Request Inbox (bidrequest@myfwc.com) for procurement review and approval/disapproval.

RENEWAL

The Commission has the option to renew this Contract on a yearly basis for a period up to one (1) year after the initial Contract period upon the same terms and conditions contained herein. Pursuant to Sections 287.057(1)(a)2., and 287.057(1)(a)3., Florida Statutes (F.S.), each Bidder shall supply a price for each year that a contract may be renewed.

Evaluation of bids shall include consideration of the total cost of the contract, including the total cost for each renewal year, as submitted by the Bidder.

Exercise of the renewal option is at the Commission’s sole discretion and shall be conditioned, at a minimum, on the Contractor’s satisfactory performance of this Contract and is subject to the availability of funds. The Contractor if it desires to exercise this renewal option will provide written notice to the Commission no later than thirty (30) days prior to the Contract expiration date. The renewal term shall require written approval from the Commission’s Procurement Manager.

SUBCONTRACTS

Subcontracting IS permitted pursuant to the Terms and Conditions of the Purchase Order. The Subcontractor Minority Status Report (Attachment C) shall be submitted with each invoice for payment. The List of Subcontractors (Attachment D) shall be included with bid submission.

DIVERSITY

The Commission is committed to supporting Florida’s diverse business industry and population through ensuring participation by minority, women, and veteran-owned business enterprises in the economic life of the state. The State of Florida Mentor Protégé Program connects minority, women, and veteran-owned business enterprises with private corporations for business development mentoring. We strongly encourage contractors doing business with the State of Florida to consider this initiative. For more information on the Mentor Protégé Program, please contact the Office of Supplier Development at (850) 487-0915 or osdinfo@dms.myflorida.com.

FWC encourages diversity in its procurement program and requests that all subcontracting opportunities afforded by this solicitation enthusiastically embrace diversity. The award of subcontracts should reflect the vast array of citizens in the State of Florida. Bidders can visit the Office of Supplier Development website for information on certified business enterprises that may be considered for subcontracting opportunities. However, pursuant to Section 287.05701 F.S., the Commission may not request documentation of or consider a vendor’s social, political, or ideological interests when determining if the vendor is a responsible vendor, nor give preference to a vendor based on the vendor’s social, political, or ideological interests.

mailto:bidrequest@myfwc.com?subject=Extension%20Request https://www.dms.myflorida.com/agency_administration/office_of_supplier_diversity_osd/mentor_protege_program https://www.dms.myflorida.com/agency_administration/office_of_supplier_diversity_osd/mentor_protege_program mailto:osdinfo@dms.myflorida.com https://www.dms.myflorida.com/agency_administration/office_of_supplier_diversity_osd/mentor_protege_program

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 07.01.2026 FWC 26/27-11, Page 6 of 70

MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE/SITE VISIT MEETING

A mandatory Pre-Bid Conference/Site Visit Meeting will be held at CYPRESS BOAT LANDING LAKE MICCOSUKEE, 30°33'44.11"N, 83°59'30.20"W on the date and time specified in the Calendar of Events (Page 3). The purpose of the Pre- Bid conference/Site Visit Meeting is to discuss the contents of this ITB and to accept verbal questions from Bidders concerning the project. Vendors must attend this Pre-Bid conference/Site Meeting as a requirement of bid responsiveness. Failure to attend the entire conference/meeting, from the time it is called to order to the time it is adjourned, shall disqualify a potential respondent. The Commission will make a reasonable effort to answer verbal questions asked at the Pre-Bid Conference/Site Visit, however, Bidders should clearly understand that verbal discussions held at the Pre-Bid Conference/Site Visit shall not be binding on the Commission, and the Commission will only issue an official written response to verbal questions subsequently submitted in writing in accordance with the Deadline for Questions clause below.

Cypress Boat Landing Lake Miccosukee, 30°33'44.11"N, 83°59'30.20"W

VERBAL INSTRUCTION PROCEDURE

Bidders may not consider any verbal instructions as binding upon the Commission. No negotiations, discussions, or actions shall be initiated or executed by the Bidder as a result of any discussion with any Commission employee. Only those communications from the Commission that are in writing, may be considered as a duly authorized expression on behalf of the Commission.

SOLICITATION QUESTIONS

Any questions from Bidders that require an official FWC answer concerning this project shall be submitted in writing to the Procurement Manager. This includes specification inquiries, such as questions or requests for additional or altered terms and conditions. Questions to the Procurement Manager shall not constitute formal protest of the specifications or of the solicitation. Questions must be received no later than the date and time specified in the Calendar of Events (Page 3). Questions may be sent via email with the solicitation number in the subject line. It is the responsibility of the bidder to confirm receipt of questions if needed.

If questions are received, an addendum will be issued and shall be posted on the Vendor Information Portal (https://vendor.myfloridamarketplace.com).

LIMITATION ON BIDDER CONTACT DURING SOLICITATION PERIOD

Bidders to this solicitation or persons acting on their behalf may not contact, between the release of the solicitation and the end of the 72-hour period following the Commission posting the notice of intended award, (i.e., the 72-hour posting period excludes Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays) any employee or officer of the executive or legislative branch concerning any aspect of this solicitation, except in writing to the Procurement Manager or as provided in the solicitation documents. Violation of this provision may be grounds for rejecting a response.

BIDDER SPECIFICATION CHALLENGE

Any protest concerning the specifications of this solicitation shall be made in accordance with PUR1001, paragraph 20, “Protests”. A notice of protest of the solicitation documents shall be made within seventy-two hours after the posting of the solicitation. Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed in Section 120.57(3)(b), F.S., shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under Chapter 120, F.S.

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 07.01.2026 FWC 26/27-11, Page 7 of 70

ADDENDUMS

If the Commission finds it necessary to supplement, modify or interpret any portion of the specifications or documents or answer any Bidder questions during the ITB period an addendum shall be posted on the Vendor Information Portal internet site. Each Bidder is responsible for monitoring the Vendor Information Portal website (https://vendor.myfloridamarketplace.com) for new or changing information relative to this procurement. The Commission bears no responsibility for any delays, or resulting impacts, associated with a Bidder’s failure to obtain the information made available through the Vendor Information Portal.

BIDDER ACKNOWLEDGMENT

In order for this bid to be valid, the bid must be completed in its entirety, signed by the Bidder and returned, as part of the bid or the bid will be rejected. By affixing your signature to the ITB Bidder Acknowledgement Form (page 2), the Bidder hereby states that the Bidder has read all bid specifications and conditions and agrees to all terms, conditions, provisions, specifications, and is currently licensed to do business within the State of Florida, if required by State or Federal Law, for the services or commodities the Bidder will provide the Commission under these bid specifications.

MANDATORY RESPONSIVE REQUIREMENTS

The Commission will not review Bids from Bidders who do not meet the mandatory responsive requirements listed in Attachment B, Mandatory Responsive Requirements. Note: The Commission will perform an initial responsiveness check.

Bids found to be non-responsive will not be considered for award. The Commission reserves the right to act upon information discovered during and after the initial responsiveness check impacting the responsibility or responsiveness of the Bid or Bidders.

REFERENCES

Each prospective Bidder shall provide a minimum of three (3) references for similar projects completed. Current contact names and phone numbers shall be included with the bid package. See the attached references form for reference requirements.

EQUAL BIDS

In the event that there is no multiple award contemplated in the ITB, and the Commission receives equal bids eligible for award, the Commission will comply with the following, as applicable: sections 287.057(12), 287.082, 287.087,287.092, 295.187(4)(a), and 295.187(4)(b), F.S. In order to clarify the Bidders’ status with regard to the applicable statutory preference requirements, the Commission may request information from Bidders with equal bids. A Bidder will not be permitted to amend or supplement its Bid in response to such request for clarification. If the tie has not been broken by application of the aforementioned statutes, the Commission will proceed with a random selection to decide the award.

SUPPORTING/SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

The Commission requires that bidders submit all required technical, specification, and other supporting information with their bid, so that a detailed analysis and determination can be made, by the Contract Manager that the product/service offered meets this ITB’s specifications and that other requirements of this ITB have been met. However, provided a bid meets the requirements for a definite, firm, unqualified, and unconditional offer, the Commission reserves the right to request supplemental information from the bidder after the bids have been opened to ensure that the products/services offered completely meet this ITB’s requirements. The requirement for such supplemental information will be at the reasonable discretion of the Commission and may include the requirement that a bidder will provide a sample product(s) so that the Commission can make a first-hand examination and determination.

A bidder's failure to provide this supplemental information or the product sample(s), within the time set by the Commission, will cause the Commission to consider the Contractor non-responsive and reject the Contractor’s bid.

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 07.01.2026 FWC 26/27-11, Page 8 of 70

CONFIDENTIALITY/PUBLIC RECORDS LAW

Bidders are cautioned that Florida law generously defines what constitutes a public record and grants broad rights of public access to those records; see, for example, section 119.07, F.S. If a Bidder believes that its response contains information that is confidential or exempt from disclosure under Florida Law, the Bidder shall clearly segregate and mark that information (for example, stamp each page "Confidential" and place it in an envelope marked "Confidential") and briefly describe in writing the grounds and specific legal citations for claiming exemption from the public records law. If after the notice of intended decision or thirty (30) days after bid opening, whichever is earlier, the Commission receives a public record request related to the solicitation, the Commission will provide copies of public records that are not exempt to the requester. The Commission will endeavor to provide notice to the Bidder of all public records requests received related to documents provided by the Bidder that were marked pursuant to this paragraph. In no event shall the Bidder hold the Commission or any of its employees or agents liable for disclosing, or otherwise failing to protect the confidentiality of, information submitted in response to this solicitation.

MAILING INSTRUCTIONS

All bids shall be submitted in a SEALED ENVELOPE addressed to:

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Attn: Purchasing 1875 Orange Ave E Tallahassee, Florida 32311-6160.

The envelope shall be plainly marked on the outside with: BID NUMBER, DATE AND TIME OF THE BID OPENING.

THE COMMISSION IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OPENING OF ANY ENVELOPES THAT ARE NOT PROPERLY MARKED.

PLEASE NOTE: The Commission’s official business hours of operation are 8:00 AM–5:00 PM ET, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and state holidays. Selecting delivery services, such as next day first delivery, may result in attempted delivery prior to opening or closing, and the Commission will not be available to accept those deliveries. THE COMMISSION IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LATE SUBMISSIONS DUE TO COMPLICATIONS RELATED TO SELECTED DELIVERY SERVICES. DIGITAL SUBMISSIONS SHALL

BE DEEMED NON-RESPONSIVE AND SHALL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

SOLICITATION PUBLIC OPENING

The public opening of this bid will be conducted at the date, time and method specified on the Calendar of Events (Page 3).

BIDS RECEIVED AFTER THE SPECIFIED DATE AND TIME WILL BE REJECTED.

Any person with a qualified disability shall not be denied equal access and effective communication regarding any bid/proposal documents or the attendance at any related meeting or bid/proposal opening. If accommodations are needed because of a disability, please contact the Purchasing Section at (850) 488-6551 at least three (3) workdays prior to the opening.

AWARDED BID/INSPECTION

The Commission will award the bid to the responsive, responsible bidder who submits the lowest bid price. If deemed necessary, an interview with the bidder by the Contract Manager may be required before the bid is awarded.

The Commission reserves the right to inspect the prospective Contractor’s materials and background record prior to making an award of the Contract. If the Contract Manager determines the lowest bidder does not have sufficient experience, equipment, etc. to meet the specifications of this ITB, the Commission reserves the right to reject the bidder and evaluate the next lowest bidder.

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 07.01.2026 FWC 26/27-11, Page 9 of 70

POSTING OF BID TABS

Bid Tabulations with Contractors identified as awarded bidders will be posted electronically as Agency Decisions on the Department of Management Services Vendor Information Portal as a Public Notice. The Agency Decision may be viewed at https://vendor.myfloridamarketplace.com, and will remain posted for a period of 72 hours. Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed in Section 120.57(3)(b), F.S., shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under Chapter 120, F.S.

Awarded Bidders are instructed not to proceed until a Purchase Order, Formal Written Contract, Lease, Notice to Proceed, or some other form of written notice is given to the Contractor by the Commission. A company or person who proceeds prior to receiving a Purchase Order, Formal Written Contract, Lease, Notice to Proceed, or some other form of written notice from the Commission does so without a contract and at their own risk.

Sealed bids, proposals, or replies received by an agency pursuant to a competitive solicitation are exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution until such time as the agency provides notice of an intended decision or until thirty (30) days after opening the bids, proposals, or final replies, whichever is earlier.

SCOPE CHANGES AFTER CONTRACT EXECUTION

The Commission shall provide written notice to the successful bidder thirty (30) days in advance of any Commission required changes to the technical specifications and/or scope of service that affect the successful bidder’s ability to provide the service as specified herein. Any changes that are other than purely administrative changes will require a change order.

FWC CONTRACT MANAGER

The FWC employee identified as the Contract Manager shall perform the following on behalf of the FWC:

• review, verify, and approve receipt of services/deliverables from the Contractor;

• submit requests for change orders/amendments/renewals, if applicable;

• review, verify, and approve invoices from the Contractor; and, if applicable, complete the Certificate of Contract Completion form; and

• maintain an official record of all correspondence between the Commission and the Contractor and forward the original correspondence to the Procurement Manager for the official file.

DELIVERABLES

The following services or service tasks are identified as deliverables for the purposes of the subsequent Contract:

a. Performance of all services set forth in the Scope of Work.

b. Submission of all invoicing, supporting documentation, Corrective Action Plans and reports.

NOTICE TO PROCEED

The awarded Bidder shall not initiate work under this contract until the required Insurance documentation has been received by the Commission. The Contractor may begin work once it has received an official written Notice to Proceed (Attachment F) from the Contract Manager.

https://vendor.myfloridamarketplace.com/ http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0100-0199/0119/Sections/0119.07.html

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 07.01.2026 FWC 26/27-11, Page 10 of 70

LIQUIDATED DAMAGES

If the Contractor fails to complete the work or the conditions of the Purchase Order and/or Change Orders by the completion date, the Commission shall have the right to deduct liquidated damages from any amount due and payable to the Contractor. Liquidated damages shall be assessed in the amount of $100 per calendar day of delay. Exceptions to this provision may be made if a delay is attributable to circumstances that are clearly beyond the control of the Contractor.

The burden of proof of unavoidable delay shall rest with the Contractor and shall be supplied in a written form and submitted to the Contract Manager.

PERMITTING

Permitting for this project, if needed, is the responsibility of the Commission. A copy of all permits shall be posted at the work site location at all times during the project. The Contractor is responsible for complying with all permit conditions and the Contractor shall pay any penalties arising from the Contractor’s permit violations.

MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT ON COMMISSION PROPERTY

If the Commission allows the Contractor to have project materials or equipment delivered to and/or stored upon the Commission-managed or owned property before, during, or after the term of the project, the Contractor will be fully and solely responsible for all expenses and liability incurred as a result of the delivery or storage. Should the Commission, in its sole discretion, determine that any project materials or equipment stored on its property must be moved in response to an emergency, the Contractor shall hold harmless, indemnify, defend, and may be responsible for costs of any reasonably necessary actions taken by the Commission.

AUTHORIZED COMPENSATION

It is understood and agreed that all compensation under this ITB is specifically limited to the Contractor’s bid price accepted by the Commission, and to the specific procedure for payment established in this ITB and the Purchase Order executed pursuant to it. The Commission is not liable for any costs, fees, expenses or any other compensation whatsoever incurred or charged by the Contractor, other than the bid price paid for the work specifically described in the Scope of Work, which work is actually accomplished and invoiced by the Contractor subsequent to the Commission’s notice to proceed (or other notice to begin work). Thus, the Commission is not liable for any costs incurred or charged by the Contractor in anticipation of responding to, or performing work described in, this ITB including, but not limited to, equipment or personnel procured by the Contractor in anticipation of such work. The Commission is not responsible to the Contractor for any loss or damages resulting from circumstances unforeseen at the time of publication of this ITB including, but not limited to, those resulting from a “force majeure”.

ADDITIONAL LEGAL REQUIREMENT

All corporations seeking to do business with the State shall, at the time of submitting a bid, be on file with the Department of State in accordance with provisions of Chapter 607, F.S.; similarly, partnerships seeking to do business with the State shall, at the time of submitting such bid, have complied with the applicable provisions of Chapter 620, F.S. For further information on required filing and forms, please go to the following sites: http://sunbiz.org or http://dos.myflorida.com.

USE OF CONTRACT BY OTHER STATE AGENCIES AND ELIGIBLE USERS

As provided in Chapter 60A-1.045, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), and Section 287.042(16), F.S., other State of Florida agencies may purchase from the resulting contract of this ITB, provided that the Department of Management Services has determined the contract’s use is cost effective and in the best interest of the State, and with the Contractor’s consent.

http://www.sunbiz.org/ http://dos.myflorida.com/

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 07.01.2026 FWC 26/27-11, Page 11 of 70

Other State of Florida governmental entities and eligible users may also request of the Contractor to be able to use this contract. If the Contractor agrees to other entities to utilize this ITB contract, such agencies shall coordinate their use of this contract with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in order to reduce scheduling conflicts.

CONDITIONS AND SPECIFICATIONS

The bidder is required to examine carefully the conditions and specifications of this bid and to be thoroughly informed regarding any and all requirements of the conditions and specifications.

REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 07.01.2026 FWC 26/27-11, Page 12 of 70

SCOPE OF WORK

FWC 26/27-11

LAKE MICCOSUKEE VEGETATION & ORGANIC SEDIMENT MANAGEMENT

1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

1.1. Lake Miccosukee, located in Leon/Jefferson County Florida, is a freshwater lake near Tallahassee that has a unique drainage system connecting sinkholes in the lake to the aquifer. During periods of low rainfall, high evapotranspiration and coupled with the aforementioned sink holes, the lake drains and creates dry conditions which exposes muck on the lakebed.

1.2. Excessive vegetative growth typically occurs in the rich sediments and when the lake refills, these vegetative areas become buoyant and can surface, creating floating tussocks. The lake is currently in a dry down and the lakebed is exposed in areas.

1.3. This project is designed to allow this exposed muck to dry-out and oxidize. After the muck has dried and formed a crust, ground disturbing equipment will be used to break up that crust and expose fresh, mostly non-vegetated, organic muck to facilitate the drying and oxidation process.

1.4. Access and all work, including which implements to be used, will be coordinated and scheduled with the FWC Project Manager based on site conditions being dry enough for access during the fiscal year of 2026-2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027).

2. PROJECT AREA

2.1. The project includes six different work sites totaling 1,168.60 acres within Lake Miccosukee. Within each work site, the target area(s) will ultimately be determined by site conditions and budget constraints. The work sites are delineated as follows and shown on the project map (Figure 1):

a. Work site 1 – 534.00 acres, (Rococo Shoreline-Blue polygon) *Work site 1 will require use of an excavator to spread some muck piles.

b. Work site 2 – 151.00 acres (Live Oak Point- Green polygon)

c. Work site 3 – 73.80 acres (Highway 90-Brown polygon)

d. Work site 4 – 24.00 acres (Zone G-Yellow polygon)

e. Work site 5 – 43.80 acres (Zone G-Yellow polygon)

f. Work site 6 – 342.00 acres (Hopkins- Orange polygon)

2.2. The CONTRACTOR will begin in the work site where site conditions are favorable as determined by the FWC Project Manager, in coordination with the CONTRACTOR. If a work site needs to be scaled up, it may be done so into the adjacent areas as directed by the FWC Project Manager. If areas within a work site are too wet for proposed enhancement activities, then those areas within the work site shall be avoided.

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 07.01.2026 FWC 26/27-11, Page 13 of 70

2.3. The 1,168.60 acres listed above are given only as a guideline for preparing the bid and should not be construed as representing actual guaranteed quantities under this contract. The polygons (Figure 1) are the areas the FWC, and therefore its contractors, are authorized to work in. The total project acres could be of smaller quantity or up to 1,168.60 acres.

2.4. FWC reserves the right to increase or decrease acreage based on the quoted cost per acre and available funding.

Exact locations and acres to be worked will be determined by site conditions or other factors.

3. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

3.1. The intent of this project is to mechanically disturb organic muck and the vegetation growing on it, effectively leaving fresh moist muck mostly denuded of vegetation and allowing the exposed muck to dry and oxidize.

3.2. Electronic polygons of each of the six work sites will be provided, in .kmz, .kml, .shp, or .gpx format, to the CONTRACTOR prior to work commencement.

3.3. Heavy equipment will be utilized to mechanically disturb the muck layer across the lake bottom. The muck layer may need to be worked multiple times per treatment, leaving fresh moist muck mostly denuded of vegetation.

3.4. Muck will be worked in target areas within the permitted polygons (Figure 1). The material will then be allowed to dry/settle, begin growing vegetation to pull extra moisture out of the muck, and then retreated if necessary.

The objective is to repeatedly treat acreages multiple times during the fiscal year to maximize the amount of muck that goes through the oxidation and deterioration process.

3.5. Mineralized lakebed will be achieved through the turning/disturbing of the muck layer, allowing the disturbed material to dry out, compact and decompose, and then in most cases, retreating.

3.6. Retreats will be determined by the FWC Project Manager, or delegate, based on on-site observation of the muck deterioration, accessibility, and/or budget constraints.

3.7. Debris may not be left scattered in roads, boat ramps, staging areas, parking lots, or anywhere outside of the work sites except for areas designated by the FWC Project Manager.

3.8. Multiple passes through downed vegetation and muck may be required to expose fresh mostly bare muck.

3.9. The CONTRACTOR will be expected to achieve reasonable work production rates dependent on environmental conditions and muck/organic material density/characteristics. At minimum, the CONTRACTOR will need to disturb 40 acres every two weeks to ensure project completion prior to the end of FY 2026/2027.

3.9.1. Submittals of requests for partial payment of completed acreage are allowed every 2+ weeks, after verification by the FWC Project Manager. If the 40 acres every 2 weeks is not met, and project manager determined lakebed and weather conditions were favorable, Section 9 Financial Consequences will be applied.

3.10. No work shall be done on weekends and/or holidays or any day between sunset and sunrise without written consent from the FWC Project Manager.

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 07.01.2026 FWC 26/27-11, Page 14 of 70

4. EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS

4.1. Due to the potential of semi-wet site conditions and work occurring on organic sediments, specialized equipment may be needed to complete the project.

4.2. The CONTRACTOR shall meet on-site with the FWC Project Manager prior to commencement of work to determine equipment to be used.

4.3. The CONTRACTOR must be capable of supplying a skilled operator and equipment meeting the following minimum specifications.

4.4. Equipment not mentioned in this section could be used with advanced approval from the FWC Project Manager.

4.5. Minimum equipment specifications include:

4.5.1. 4x4 tractor with, at minimum, dual tires on front and rear, or a tracked machine (see item c. below), with pull-behind or 3-point discing, rototilling, crimper, or other ground disturbing attachments such as but not limited to:

a) Disc harrow, preferably scalloped disc.

b) Rototiller or aggressive drag harrow

c) Tractors with tracks instead of rubber tires, or tracked machines (example: Marsh Master©, dozer, excavator).

4.6. The equipment used for this project must be of as low of ground pressure as possible to minimize getting the equipment stuck.

4.7. The CONTRACTOR is responsible for their equipment sufficiently disturbing the dry muck areas and exposing moist muck mostly denuded of vegetation.

4.8. Wet or damp muck will be encountered in the work areas. When this occurs, the CONTRACTOR can relocate to another area to avoid getting equipment stuck.

4.9. Should an area be encountered that is dry enough to stand a tractor/tracked machine but moist enough to not effectively disturb the muck, the CONTRACTOR can also relocate to another site where effective muck disturbance can take place.

4.10. Contractor will be responsible for providing GPS tracks and polygons to the FWC to account for all acreages disturbed, regardless of equipment type (see Section 6. items 6.2, 6.3, 6.4).

4.11. Weight of attachments must be adequate for sufficient muck penetration and mixing. The FWC Project Manager reserves sole authority to require the CONTRACTOR to change out implements if required effectiveness is not achieved.

4.12. Mineral sediment disturbance is to be minimized. The CONTRACTOR is expected to focus the disturbance activities on the muck layer and monitor/adjust disturbance depth throughout the treatments.

4.13. This is a moist soil environment. CONTRACTORS submitting bids for this project are responsible for knowing the capabilities of their equipment.

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 07.01.2026 FWC 26/27-11, Page 15 of 70

4.14. Should equipment get stuck for any reason, the CONTRACTOR shall be responsible for getting their equipment unstuck and for repairing any unacceptable disturbance to pre-disturbance conditions (as determined by the FWC Project Manager).

5. BID SPECIFICATIONS

5.1. The CONTRACTOR shall provide a per acre per treatment price for conducting the muck disturbing activities.

5.2. The CONTRACTOR will be required to supply three (3) references related to ground disturbance activities.

Activities can include work in dry, moist, or agricultural environments.

5.3. Bid pricing should include all necessary labor and equipment necessary to complete the muck disturbing activities, including all mobilization and demobilization costs.

5.4. Upon receipt of the Purchase Order, and prior to commencement of work, the FWC Project Manager will issue the CONTRACTOR a written Notice to Proceed. The CONTRACTOR will have fourteen (14) days to coordinate a start date upon receipt of the written Notice to Proceed. The process for retreatments will be the same as for the initial commencement of work.

a. Prior to commencing work, the FWC Project Manager will meet with the CONTRACTOR on-site to provide additional instruction and detailed maps about the treatment site(s).

b. The start date shall be defined as the first day the CONTRACTOR attempts to actively disturb muck with approved equipment within an approved project area.

c. Treatment occurring prior to the Notice to Proceed will not be accepted for payment.

6. PAYMENT SPECIFICATIONS

6.1. All treatments (initial and retreatments) are to be completed and invoice submitted to the FWC Project Manager by June 4, 2027.

a. Partial Payments will be accepted. The Contractor may submit an invoice every two weeks while treatment is actively occurring for work verified as completed by the FWC Project Manager, or whenever requested by the FWC Project Manager.

6.2. Treated areas will be documented and reported weekly to the FWC Project Manager.

a. CONTRACTOR will provide weekly digital tracks of treatment activities, as well as polygons with attached acreage of completed treatment. Only acres documented by GPS, or other digital files, and agreed upon by FWC Project Manager can be invoiced.

b. GPS data should be in .shp, .gpx, .kml, or .kmz format.

c. The CONTRACTOR will be paid for the number of acres treated meeting bid specification requirements. The CONTRACTOR and the FWC Project Manager shall agree in writing on the number of acres successfully treated at the end of each treatment week in accordance with the Contract Management Weekly Report form (Attachment H). The invoice shall be representative of the total number of acres successfully treated over all treatment days, or for those treatment days requested by the FWC Project Manager at time of invoice request.

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 07.01.2026 FWC 26/27-11, Page 16 of 70

6.3. Submitted invoices are to be at the per acre rate submitted in the bid package. Invoice will include PO#, dates of service, invoice number, number of acres treated, and description.

6.4. Prior to approving invoices, the FWC Project Manager or delegated staff must verify that the completed acres are exposed muck, mostly denuded of vegetation. Areas deemed to be not satisfactory by the FWC Project Manager cannot be approved for payment.

6.5. Invoices will include the actual number of acres (rounded to the nearest 10th of an acre) treated in accordance with the specifications contained herein. Any questions regarding the specific acreage given for each site shall be resolved with the FWC Project Manager before the CONTRACTOR commences operations.

6.6. It is the responsibility of the CONTRACTOR to keep track of their progress and acres completed to ensure they do not go over the agreed upon contracted acres to be worked. Acres not agreed upon or specified will be unbillable to the FWC.

6.7. Additional worksites within Lake Miccosukee may be added to this SOW. Additional work sites must be agreed upon by the CONTRACTOR.

6.8. Funding for this project is provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission – Aquatic Habitat Restoration/Enhancement Subsection (AHRES). The proposed project budget is $3255,000.00. Project budget may increase or decrease depending on environmental conditions and program budgets. The total invoice amount shall not exceed the purchase order.

6.9. In the event the project is terminated prior to completion for any reason, the CONTRACTOR can invoice and will be paid for all completed acres that have been verified by GPS and approved by the FWC Project Manager.

7. GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

7.1. FWC has obtained all required state and federal permits and will share a copy with the CONTRACTOR. The copies must be onsite at all times.

a. The CONTRACTOR shall be subject to all rules and regulations pertaining to permits and while working on submerged lands.

7.2. Reliable and responsive communication between the FWC Project Manager, selected CONTRACTOR, and equipment operator is mandatory. Excessive instances of failed communication will result in project cancellation.

7.3. The CONTRACTOR shall provide a supervisor capable of communication in English to discuss all project activities with the FWC Project Manager including but not limited to work schedule, maintenance, and any procedures and practices listed in the SOW. Deficiencies in procedures and practices shall be corrected to the satisfaction of the FWC Project Manager.

7.4. The CONTRACTOR will be responsible for the conduct of hired personnel while on site.

7.5. The CONTRACTOR shall remove all litter and equipment from the area upon completion of each work site.

7.6. Equipment must be removed from Lake Miccosukee prior to the CONTRACTOR submitting the final invoice.

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 07.01.2026 FWC 26/27-11, Page 17 of 70

7.7. To prevent site contamination by exotic and invasive species, all equipment must be free of vegetation and soil upon arrival. The FWC Project Manager reserves the right to inspect equipment prior to use.

7.8. The CONTRACTOR will NOT subcontract, assign, or transfer any services without the prior written consent of the FWC Project Manager. If permission is granted, the CONTRACTOR is responsible for ensuring the work is performed in accordance with the specifications contained herein. The CONTRACTOR is solely responsible for all financial arrangements and payments to any subcontractor or assignees.

7.9. The CONTRACTOR will be held liable for any loss or damage to any monuments surveyed or markers due to careless operation.

7.10. Any excessive damage caused by the CONTRACTOR (including but not limited to damage to culverts, fishing piers, fences, trees, private property, or other natural resources) within or not within the scope of the project work, shall be repaired by the CONTRACTOR at no expense to the Commission.

7.11. The CONTRACTOR shall be responsible and liable for any damage to underground utilities (e.g., telephone lines, gas lines, power lines, etc.).

7.12. Work sites are in areas open to the public. The CONTRACTOR shall be responsible for securing all equipment and materials to prevent theft or damage. The Commission will not be responsible for any theft or damages.

7.13. The CONTRACTOR shall notify the FWC Project Manager of any damage to property caused by vehicles, weather, or vandalism.

7.14. In the event historical or cultural artifacts are uncovered during work, the CONTRACTOR shall immediately halt activities and notify the FWC Project Manager.

7.15. The FWC Project Manager reserves the right to halt work and/or dismiss the CONTRACTOR if the work is not completed in accordance with the specifications contained herein. Work will not resume until the deficiency or deficiencies are corrected. The FWC Project Manager also reserves the right to halt work for the following conditions: excessively wet conditions, unacceptable levels of ground disturbance, unsafe operation of equipment, working in unapproved areas, and failure to make suitable progress.

7.16. The FWC Project Manager reserves the right, at any time, to ride along on the CONTRACTOR’S equipment to ensure treatments are effective and the SOW is being followed.

8. SAFETY AND EQUIPMENT

8.1. The CONTRACTOR shall be solely responsible for all safety on or off the job site and adhere to the personal and equipment safety specifications and conditions listed herein.

8.2. The CONTRACTOR, as a minimum, shall meet or exceed the applicable requirements of the latest revision of the following codes and specifications published by the following organizations:

a. Department of Transportation (DOT)

b. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

c. Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)

Ch. 287 Invitation to Bid – Revised 07.01.2026 FWC 26/27-11, Page 18 of 70

8.3. The CONTRACTOR shall be solely responsible for initiating, maintaining, and supervising all safety precautions and programs in connection with the work.

8.4. The CONTRACTOR shall be responsible for protecting and safeguarding employees and the public in connection with the work and job site.

8.5. The CONTRACTOR shall be responsible for ensuring that all equipment used is properly maintained to protect the operator, public, and the environment.

8.6. Equipment mobilized for this project shall be operable and maintained in proper working order, designed for or suited to the tasks required to be performed.

8.7. The CONTRACTOR shall be responsible for equipment malfunctions. Any petroleum or other chemical leaks or spills must be dealt with by the CONTRACTOR immediately. The contaminant must be removed, and the defective equipment must be repaired or removed immediately before work can continue. In the event of an equipment malfunction or breakdown, the Contractor shall be capable of replacing essential equipment within 48 hours to avoid unnecessary delays.

8.8. The CONTRACTOR shall provide and ensure employees wear protective clothing suitable for the job, and any other items required by laws, regulations, ordinances, and/or manufacturer’s instructions for materials and equipment.

8.9. The CONTRACTOR shall have the appropriate first aid kits in accordance with the American National Standard for minimum requirements for workplace first aid kits and supplies on-site at all times.

8.10. The CONTRACTOR shall have on-site a working communication device (i.e. cellular phone) to ensure regular communication with the FWC Project Manager.

8.11. Should any wildlife concern be seen by the CONTRATOR (e.g. active nest, wounded wildlife), the FWC Project Manager should be notified immediately. Wildlife may be encountered on the work sites but are not to be intentionally harmed.

9. ACCESS

9.1. The CONTRACTOR will have access to the work sites during normal operating hours.

9.2. The CONTRACTOR may use access points available to the public and needs no additional permission to enter the property.

9.3. CONTRACTOR may also access and store equipment on private property directly adjacent to some of the work units. Those work units will be communicated to the awarded vendor.