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: OCTOBER 14, 2026

ADDENDUM NO.: 1

BID NO.: FWC 26/27-25

BID TITLE: OKALOACOOCHEE SLOUGH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA FENCE

LINE PROJECT

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 26/27-25, “OKALOACOOCHEE SLOUGH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA FENCE

LINE PROJECT”.

All responses to the subject solicitation must be received no later than 3:00 PM (ET) on

Tuesday, October 20, 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, Randy Golightly

FWC Procurement Manager

FWC SOLICITATION ADDENDUM 2

BEGIN ADDENDUM

QUESTION #1

Do you have to be General Contractor to bid as prime?

ANSWER #1

No.

QUESTION #2

Subcontracting (p.5). The ITB states subcontracting is not permitted. Does that prohibit (a) renting equipment with an operator, (b) hiring a licensed land-clearing or forestry mulching firm for Items 4 and 5, or (c) using hauling firms for disposal? Please state what is and isn't allowed.

ANSWER #2

All services must be completed by the awarded Contractor. All the listed examples above would be considered sub-contracting

QUESTION #3

Barbed wire strands. Spec 3.3 calls for five strands of barbed wire. The Scope, Price Sheet, and Figure 2 show a 4-strand fence. Which governs?

ANSWER #3

Corrected language below:

3.3 The barbed-wire fence shall be constructed with four strands of Class III high tensile 15.5-gauge barbed wire stretched and stapled to no less than 4-inch x 78-inch chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treated line posts that are set on 16.5-foot centers.

QUESTION #4

Smooth wire fence. Spec 3.4 describes the 3-strand fence as "12.5-gauge barbed wire." Please confirm it is smooth wire.

ANSWER #4

Smooth wire shall be 12.5-gauge barbless wire.

Corrected language below:

FWC SOLICITATION ADDENDUM 3

3.4 The smooth-wire fence shall be constructed with three strands of Class III high tensile 12.5-gauge barbless wire stretched and stapled to no less than 4-inch x 72-inch chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treated line posts that are set on 16.5-foot centers.

QUESTION #5

Post lengths. Specs 3.3 and 3.4 call for 78”-line posts (barbed) and 72”-line posts (smooth). Please confirm both are intended, and whether steel posts are acceptable outside wetland soils.

ANSWER #5

That is correct. Only wooden posts shall be used outside of wetland soils.

QUESTION #6

Wetlands. About what percentage of the fence line is in wetland soils where steel posts may be used?

Should bidders expect to supply low-ground-pressure equipment for access?

ANSWER #6

Wetland soils will be approximately 10-15% of the fence line installation. This can vary based on seasonality. The awarded Contractor shall supply any equipment necessary for adequate access on property that limits ground disturbance.

QUESTION #7

Fire line quantity. The Scope says fire line is "as budget allows." How will reductions be handled in the PO, and will bid unit prices hold if quantities change?

ANSWER #7

Quantity will be determined year by year according to annual budget and prior to issuing the purchase order for that fiscal year. The awarded Contractor’s bid price will remain unchanged.

QUESTION #8

Removed materials and gates. About how many existing gates will be saved for delivery to the OKS WMA Shop? May the Contractor retain salvage value from removed wire, posts, and gates, and what counts as an "approved facility" for disposal?

FWC SOLICITATION ADDENDUM 4

ANSWER #8

It is anticipated that only a small number of gates will be saved as it will be dependent on their condition.

An approved facility is one that can legally take the disposed items. The Contractor shall not illegally dump materials removed from the WMA.

QUESTION #9

Gate bracing. Please confirm the post and H-brace requirements for the 3' spring-back gates. Figure 4 appears to show the 16' gate assembly only.

ANSWER #9

In locations where 16’ gate and 3’ spring-back will be installed next to each other, a single post can separate the two gates for the gates to tie/lock into, but an H-brace must be installed on the outside edges of the gates.

QUESTION #10

Staging and access. Is on-site material staging permitted, and where? Are there hunting-season or prescribed-burn windows that will restrict access or scheduling? Is the 30-day start after PO firm?

ANSWER #10

On-site material staging will be permitted, and the area will be identified by the Project Manager.

However, securing the materials will be the responsibility of the Contractor.

Hunting season will restrict scheduling during those times. A prescribed burn would only restrict work if it were being conducted at the worksite. The Contractor must coordinate field activities with OKS WMA personnel to ensure that work is coordinated with other WMA activities, such as prescribed burning and hunting.

The Contractor shall begin work within thirty (30) days of purchase order issuance unless otherwise determined by the FWC Project Manager.

QUESTION #11

Can we access the areas to get a better look at the specific work sites? We understand it is open to the public, but many of the gates are locked due to the cattle lease.

ANSWER #11

The entire WMA is accessible to the public, but all locked gates must remain locked. Bidders may access the areas behind locked gates on foot.

FWC SOLICITATION ADDENDUM 5

QUESTION #12

Will this contract be awarded all to one company, or is it possible it will be split and the fencing awarded separately from the line clearing for instance?

ANSWER #12

This ITB will be awarded to only one Company.

QUESTION #13

What is the estimated budget both per year and total?

ANSWER #13

The total estimated budget is $520,000 for an average of $130,000 per year. As explained in the Scope of

Work the initial term of this ITB award is 4 years to allow sufficient time for completion, however, the goal of the FWC is to complete the project as quickly as available budget and conditions allow. The actual amount spent each year may vary.

QUESTION #14

The bid specifically mentions that pine and cypress larger than 8' in diameter at chest height may not be required to be removed, what about other native trees we may encounter, such as oak, maple, etc?

ANSWER #14

Any tree within the 16ft fire line must be removed. All other vegetation within the right of way clearing must be removed unless indicated by the Project Manager

QUESTION #15

There seemed to be some uncertainty about the large, old growth oak trees that were in or near the lines we viewed. Do you expect the contractor to have to remove large oak trees from the 16' fire line, and if so, do you anticipate multiple large oak trees being removed and roots raked?

ANSWER #15

Yes, the awarded Contractor must remove large oaks from the fire line. It is anticipated that some areas will require the removal of multiple oaks, however, the areas with large oaks are expected to be minimal.

QUESTION #16

Same question as above, but in regard to the remainder of the 50' easement that is not being root raked.

Do you expect the removal of multiple large oak trees? These trees are too large to mulch.

ANSWER #16

Removal will be required for some large oaks. The Project Manager will instruct if specific trees are not to be removed.

FWC SOLICITATION ADDENDUM 6

QUESTION #17

Also, in regard to the confusion about the line, will the fence be installed along the drip line (as mentioned during the site visit), of the large oak trees growing along the bank of the canal area we viewed, minimizing the need for removing those trees, or will it be strictly 15' off the canal as also mentioned, which would put it in the midst of those trees? The site visit did not give a clear answer, and upon viewing aerial maps, there appear to be more areas that are even thicker with oaks farther down along the canal that we did not visit. Will we be following the drip line there as well if the answer is to follow the drip line?

ANSWER #17

The line will be installed to follow about 20 feet off of the innermost canal or ditch bank. The exact line will be mapped by the Project Manager. All vegetation within the fire line and right-of-way clearing, unless exempted in the scope of work, is to be cleared.

QUESTION #18

Will a list of pre-bid attendees be available?

ANSWER #18

Yes, please email the procurement manager for a copy.

QUESTION #19

If we are to leave any large trees in the 16' line, we will need to also avoid root raking around them to prevent tree death. Will that be acceptable?

ANSWER #19

No trees should be left within the 16-foot fire line.

QUESTION #20

Is there any planned order for the work to be completed, or is it as the contractor chooses?

ANSWER #20

The project will prioritize the fence removal to begin, followed by fence/fire line installation and clearing.

QUESTION #21

Are we required to stop during hunting season or any other time?

ANSWER #21

The project must pause during designated quota hunt days.

QUESTION #22

If a future budget does not support the work for that year, and then it resumes the following year, will it possibly extend beyond the 4 year time frame?

FWC SOLICITATION ADDENDUM 7

ANSWER #22

If circumstances constituting Force Majeure have occurred, or if anything occurs beyond the Contractor’s control, a request for a 6-month extension may be possible at the discretion of the FWC Project Manager and Contract Manager.

QUESTION #23

If extreme weather should create excessive or unexpected flooding or damage, making areas inaccessible for an extended period of time, how will that be handled? Will extra time be permitted?

ANSWER #23

In general, the Contractor will work with the Project Manager to shift priorities or pause work of affected area. Please see ATTACHMENT A, PURCHASE ORDER TERMS & CONDITIONS, J. Force Majeure for more information.

QUESTION #24

Can you confirm that the lines to be cleared are 16' + 34' for a total of 50' and not 16' + 50'?

ANSWER #24

The fire lines are to be installed within the 50-foot-wide right-of-way clearing.

QUESTION #25

Will there be any restrictions to the type of equipment or number of vehicles allowed into the areas that are currently vehicle restricted that we will be working in?

ANSWER #25

No restrictions on equipment or number should be expected so long as Contractors maintain minimal ground disturbance.

QUESTION #26

There are specific brands of gates listed that are approved for use, which are both available from Tractor

Supply. However, there are no specs listed for the gates. Rather than requiring a specific brand purchased through a specific store, can we get specs for the gates such as minimum diameter pipe, round or square corners, galvanized or powder coated, 6 bar or 7 bar?

ANSWER #26

Please see 4.9 and 4.10 of the Scope of Work.

QUESTION #27

As much of the work we will be doing was not viewed in the site visit, we are unsure what to expect. If we encounter extremely thick stands of large 8'+ diameter trees (pine, cypress), can we deviate and move

FWC SOLICITATION ADDENDUM 8

the entire line around them allowing us to complete the work faster and for less expense, or do we need to work through them and take the trees down?

ANSWER #27

The work must be completed as outlined in the Scope of Work.

QUESTION #28

Will Geo mapping be available for the site and the work prior to the bid?

ANSWER #28

No.

QUESTION #29

In the bid it says survey markers must not be disturbed, which could be hard to do in brushy, overgrown areas. Will we be provided with a map that shows where to expect to find these markers?

ANSWER #29

Yes.

QUESTION #30

The bid specifies 4 strand barbed wire fencing everywhere except on page 13, 3.3 where it states five strands. Please confirm that is an error and the fence is 4 strands.

ANSWER #30

The fence is 4 strands. See answer #3.

QUESTION #31

Will there be any changes to the location of the fence line from the original specs?

ANSWER #31

The location is not expected to change significantly from the map provided. However, the FWC reserves the right to increase or decrease the size of the project as needed based on bids received, annual budget, etc.

QUESTION #32

Will we be popping the stumps out of the DOT area or grinding them flush?

ANSWER #32

Stumps may be grinded down flush within the right of way but must be pulled within the 16-foot fireline.

FWC SOLICITATION ADDENDUM 9

END ADDENDUM