ITB 2324-008 OPS Holton Creek 5 Timber Sale.pdf

DISTRICT ITB 23/24-008 OPS

INVITATION TO BID 23/24-008 OPS

HOLTON CREEK #5 TIMBER SALE

Suwannee River Water Management District (District or Owner) invites you to participate in the bidding process for timber on the property as described below:

Tract Name & Sale #: HOLTON CREEK #5 TIMBER SALE Owner: Suwannee River Water Management District County/State: Hamilton County, Florida Section/Township/Range: Parts of Sections 32 & 33, T1N, R13E, and Section 2 & 3, T1S, R13E Acreage (approximate): 140 acres Timber Type and Age: Area 1 is 17 acres of 1981 planted Slash Pine

Area 2 is 30 acres of poor survival 1986 Longleaf Pine Area 3 is 15 acres of 1984 planted Slash Pine Area 4 is 36 acres of 1971 planted Slash Pine Area 5 is 19 acres of 1984 planted Slash Pine Area 6 is 23 acres of 1984 planted Slash Pine

Type of Harvest: This sale is divided into six areas consisting of two harvest types. Areas 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are clearcuts with hardwood chipping. Area 2 is a marked pine thinning with hardwood chipping in a poor survival longleaf pine stand. Pines marked with blue paint at eye level are to be harvested.

Unmarked pines are to be left standing and unharmed.

Chipping of non-merchantable hardwood greater than three inches diameter at breast height, hardwood tops, and pine tops is required for all sale areas. There are numerous sinkholes on the tract that require the application of Silvicultural Best Management Practices. The DISTRICT PROJECT MANAGER will routinely assess the timber harvest to ensure the objectives are being met.

Other Considerations The timber sale is located in the Holton Creek WMA which provides a popular limited entry hunt for mobility-impaired hunters. Access and Harvesting will not be allowed during the following hunting dates: March 21-24, April 11-14, and October 10 - November 24, 2024.

Access and Boundaries: The timber sale area can be inspected at the bidder's convenience and can be accessed from SW County Road 249 in Hamilton County, Florida. The harvest boundaries utilize natural stand breaks, orange paint, and pink flagging and are shown on the map. GATE COMBO 1-0-0-1

Contract Information: Per Unit Rates pay as cut sale for pine and hardwood Contract Length – 12 months Advance Payment - $10,000 Damage Deposit - $10,000

Bid #:

Bid Opening Date &Time:

ITB 23/24-008 OPS

*February 28, 2024; 10:00 AM

LOCATION: 9225 CR 49

Live Oak, Florida 32060

*Denotes a public meeting. All times denote Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

Only bids made on the enclosed Timber Sale Bid Form will be accepted. The Form must be filled out completely to be considered.

DELIVERY OF BID:

Submit Bids Electronically through DemandStar.

https://www.demandstar.com/app/agencies/florida/suwannee-river-water-management-district/procurement

For articles and videos to assist you through the DemandStar registry and uploading of documents visit the DemandStar business support page at -https://network.demandstar.com/business-support/

If you are unfamiliar with DemandStar, please submit your bid far enough in advance to work through any complications you may have with the system.

Bids are to be uploaded to the platform prior to 10:00 a.m. on February 28, 2024. Bids received after this time, for any reason, will be rejected.

WINNING BIDDER: The District will not advertise estimated harvest volumes prior to the bid opening. All bidders should satisfy themselves as to the quantity and quality of timber offered in this sale before bidding. Bid comparisons will be made using the total sale value as determined by the District’s estimated product volumes during the bid opening. The bidder with the highest total sale value will be the recommended bidder. The bidders will be notified of the bid calculations by, February 29, 2024. At that time, a recommendation will be prepared for the Executive Director requesting authorization to enter into a contract. The winning bidder will be expected to enter into a firm contract within 10 days of award of bid.

RIGHT OF REFUSAL: The right to refuse any and all bids is reserved.

PRE-BID ACCESS: The timber sale area can be inspected at the bidder's convenience and can be accessed from SW County Road 249 in Hamilton County, Florida. The harvest boundaries utilize natural stand breaks, orange paint and pink flagging and are shown on the map. GATE

COMBO 1-0-0-1

BUYER RESPONSIBILITIES: The buyer will pay for any documentary stamps or surtax required for the sale.

TIMBER CONTRACT: Prospective bidders are advised that the District will provide the contract for the purchase of this timber. The term of this timber contract shall be 12 months from contract execution. Access and Harvesting will not be allowed during the following dates. March 21-24, April 11-14, October 10 to November 24, 2024.

SUMMARIZED TERMS OF THE TIMBER CONTRACT ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. HARVEST PLAN: This sale is divided into six areas consisting of two harvest types.

Areas 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are clearcuts with hardwood chipping. Area 2 is a marked pine thinning with hardwood chipping in a poor survival longleaf pine stand. Pines marked with blue paint at eye level are to be harvested. Unmarked pines are to be left standing and unharmed. Chipping of non-merchantable hardwood greater than three inches diameter at breast height, hardwood tops, and pine tops is required for all Sale Areas. There are numerous sinkholes on the tract that require the application of Silvicultural Best Management Practices. The DISTRICT PROJECT MANAGER will routinely assess the timber harvest to ensure the objectives are being met.

https://www.demandstar.com/app/agencies/florida/suwannee-river-water-management-district/procurement https://www.demandstar.com/app/agencies/florida/suwannee-river-water-management-district/procurement https://network.demandstar.com/business-support/

2. SPECIES OF TIMBER SOLD: Pine and Hardwood.

3. PRE-HARVEST MEETING: Prior to the harvest operation, a pre-harvest meeting with the successful bidder and his logger will be held. This is a mandatory meeting, and logging will not commence until this meeting takes place. This meeting will cover the Harvest Plan, “Come clean, Leave clean practices, BMP’s, logging decks, product utilization, ecological concerns, aesthetics, timber security, and other pertinent issues.

4. TIMBER SALE OVERSIGHT: PURCHASER shall report the commencement, and any interruption, recommencement, or completion of harvest operations by telephone or e-mail to the DISTRICT PROJECT MANAGER at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to such. The DISTRICT PROJECT MANAGER will routinely make an assessment of the timber harvest to ensure the objectives are being met. The District reserves the right to stop harvesting if the logging crew does not comply with harvest plans as interpreted by the DISTRICT PROJECT MANAGER. Failure to follow the Harvest Plan may result in the removal of the logging crew by the District.

5. PRODUCT UTILIZATION: PURCHASER shall harvest and fully use, to the extent practicable, all trees conveyed in this offering. All timber shall be measured in tons (one ton equals 2,000 pounds).

6. TITLE TO TIMBER: Title to the timber shall pass from OWNER to PURCHASER when the tree has been severed from the stump.

7. PAYMENTS: Advance Payment of $10,000 from PURCHASER is required under this Contract at closing. Weekly settlements will be calculated in this manner: Credits will be made against the Advance Payment at 100% of the weekly gross harvest. When the Advance Payment is fully utilized, PURCHASER shall make payments to OWNER.

8. DAMAGE/SECURITY DEPOSIT: PURCHASER shall deposit $10,000 with OWNER, which amount shall be held by OWNER in escrow without interest, as a damage and security deposit to assure fulfillment by PURCHASER of PURCHASER'S obligations.

9. ROAD RESPONSIBILITIES: PURCHASER will be responsible for roads and road maintenance during the harvest. This may require grading and filling holes with clean fill or limerock as currently exist on the road and approved by District. Haul routes and road conditions can be inspected at the bidder's convenience. The sale area can be accessed directly as shown on the attached map. PURCHASER will return the roads to their pre-harvest condition or better upon completion of harvest at PURCHASER’S expense.

10. MASTER LOGGER: The logger harvesting the timber must be a Master Logger with current designation. The Master Logger must be routinely available on-site during operations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, LISTED SPECIES, AND OTHER ITEMS:

a) PURCHASER hereby agrees to use good forestry practices and further agrees to abide by the Best Management Practices (BMP's) as outlined in the Florida Forest Service publication, Silviculture Best Management Practices, as well as other requirements of the State of Florida. PURCHASER shall have up to thirty (30) days after the expiration of this Contract, but no more than forty-five (45) days, after the completion of all logging (whichever date is earlier) to bring the tract into full compliance with all the terms of this Contract, including the completion of necessary BMP work. OWNER may, at its discretion, extend this period of time due to excessive wet-weather conditions. Damages arising out of the failure to exercise BMP's shall be limited to the expenses incurred by any party which carries out remedial measures reasonably required to bring the site in question into compliance with the applicable BMP's as set out above.

b) Come Clean, Leave Clean: Non-native, invasive plant infestations are found throughout the United States.

c) PURCHASER may unknowingly import noxious plant material from outside areas or take plant material off the OWNER’s property and infest other locales. All road materials and equipment used on the OWNER’s property, including road maintenance equipment, timber harvest equipment, site preparation equipment, ATVs, or trucks, must be free of invasive plant material before entering District lands. OWNER’s PROJECT MANAGERs are required to inspect each piece of equipment before or during operations on the OWNER’s property. If PURCHASER is to perform work within 30 yards of a non-native, invasive-plant infestation, the OWNER’s representative is required to inspect the equipment before it leaves the OWNER’s property. The District will designate cleaning areas on each tract for PURCHASER to clean their equipment, if necessary; the OWNER is responsible for monitoring the cleaning areas for new infestations.

d) Ecological Issues: OWNER has no knowledge of the presence of threatened, endangered and protected species on the area on which the Timber is located or over which PURCHASER must transport the Timber, or OWNER has indicated to PURCHASER the presence and location of said species to the best of OWNER’s knowledge as shown on the “Project Map”. OWNER does not warrant that such threatened, endangered, or protected species are not present, and PURCHASER is advised that nothing in this Contract relieves PURCHASER of its responsibility to act within the law should the presence of such threatened, endangered, or protected species become known to PURCHASER or to any other party who advises PURCHASER of the presence of such species. (“…to the knowledge of OWNER…” shall only include to the knowledge of Steve Carpenter or a specified DISTRICT PROJECT MANAGER). PURCHASER AND PURCHASER’s LOGGER shall use caution and shall avoid running over gopher tortoises or gopher tortoise burrows encountered on the tract or as shown on the map. OWNER may flag out areas with rare species and remove the area(s) from the sale area if these species are found during harvest operations.

e) Equipment Fluids: PURCHASER must follow all local, state and federal regulations as they relate to fluids, chemicals, oils, lubrications, their containers, and other equipment wastes;

wash and service equipment away from any area that may create a water quality hazard following Florida Silviculture BMPs; clean up and contain fuel and oil spills immediately;

comply with state and federal regulations when reporting spills (discharges); and report any fuel, oil, chemical or hazardous waste discharge to the DISTRICT PROJECT MANAGER immediately. Discharges must be reported by the PURCHASER in less than 24 hours to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) State Warning Point (800-320-0519).

If the discharge threatens or enters waters of the State, the PURCHASER must notify the National Response Center (800-424-8802) within 1 hour of the discharge. Within 7 days the PURCHASER must submit the required Discharge Report Form to DEP Bureau of Emergency Response. Under Florida Law and Federal Law PURCHASER may be subject to penalties because of the discharge itself and if the PURCHASER fails to report the discharge. PURCHASER will be responsible for all requirements and costs associated with the cleanup of discharged pollutants or other hazardous chemicals.

f) Recreation Concerns: PURCHASER hereby acknowledges and understands that public recreation may occur during the harvest, and public safety will take precedence over all harvest operations. PURCHASER will maintain and secure equipment when not operating.

During operations, PURCHASER will maintain a safe distance from the general public at all times. Harvest equipment, vehicles, and personnel will not damage or unnecessary block access to roads, trails, or District facilities. Lands titled to the District are managed under a multiple-use policy that emphasizes water resource protection, maintenance, and restoration of the land’s natural state and condition, and provisions for public access and recreation within those lands. District lands will remain open to the general public during operations unless otherwise indicated by the District in writing.

KEY POINTS

Challenge of Solicitation Process: If a potential Bidder protests any provisions of this ITB, a notice of intent to protest shall be filed with the District in writing within 72 hours after the posting of the invitation to bid on the District’s website. “Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed in Section 120.57(3) Florida Statutes shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under Chapter 120 of Florida Statutes.”

Challenge of District’s Intent to Award Contract: If a bidder intends to protest District’s intent to award a contract, the notice of intent to protest must be filed in writing within 72 hours after posting of a notice of intent to award a contract and the Bidder shall file a formal written protest within ten (10) days after filing a notice of intent to protest. Any Bidder who files a formal written protest pursuant to Chapter 28-110, Florida Administrative Code, and Section 120.57(3), Florida Statutes shall post with the District at the time of filing the formal written protest, a bond pursuant to Section 287.042(2) (c), Florida Statutes (2013).

Failure to file a notice of intent to protest or failure to file a formal written protest within the time prescribed in Chapter 28-110, Florida Administrative Code and Section 120.57(3), Florida Statutes, 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. More specifically, “Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed in Section 120.57(3) Florida Statutes shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under Chapter 120 of Florida Statutes.”

Americans with Disabilities Act: The District does not discriminate upon the basis of any individual’s disability status. This nondiscrimination policy involves every aspect of the District’s functions including one’s access to, participation, employment, or treatment in its programs or activities. Anyone requiring reasonable accommodation as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the District at 386.362.1001 or 800.226.1066 (Florida only). The District’s fax number is 386.362.1056.

Minority Business Enterprises: The District recognizes fair and open competition as a basic tenet of public procurement. bidders doing business with the District are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, handicap, age, or sex. The District encourages participation by minority business enterprises. Whenever two or more service providers are ranked equally, a minority business enterprise shall be given preference in the award process.

Veteran’s Preference: In the absence of a minority business enterprise, whenever two or more service providers are ranked equally by the Selection Committee, a veteran-owned business enterprise shall be given preference in the award process.

If you are a Certified Minority-Owned Business pursuant to Chapter 288.703, Florida Statutes, or a Veteran Owned Business Enterprise pursuant to Chapter 295.187, Florida Statutes please provide a copy of your State issued certificate.

Drug Free Workplace Act: The selected bidder(s) shall certify that it has established a drug free workplace.

Public Entity Crime: Section 287.133(2)(a), Florida Statutes, states “A person or affiliate who has been placed on the convicted vendor list following a conviction for a public entity crime may not submit a bid on a contract to provide any goods or services to a public entity, may not submit a bid on a contract with a public entity for the construction or repair of a public building or public work, may not submit bids on leases of real property to a public entity, may not be awarded or perform work as a contractor, supplier, subcontractor, or consultant under a contract with any public entity, and may not transact business with any public entity in excess of the threshold amount provided in s.287.017 for CATEGORY TWO for a period of 36 months from the date of being placed on the convicted vendor list.”

Scrutinized Company: Section 287.135, Florida Statutes, states “A company is ineligible to, and may not, bid on, submit a proposal for, or enter into or renew a contract with an agency or local governmental entity for goods or services of:

a. Any amount if, at the time of bidding on, submitting a proposal for, or entering into or renewing such contract, the company is on the Scrutinized Companies that Boycott Israel List, created pursuant to s. 215.4725, or is engaged in a boycott of Israel; or

b. One million dollars or more if, at the time of bidding on, submitting a proposal for, or entering into or renewing such contract, the company:

1. Is on the Scrutinized Companies with Activities in Sudan List or the Scrutinized Companies with Activities in the Iran Petroleum Energy Sector List, created pursuant to s. 215.473; or

2. Is engaged in business operations in Cuba or Syria.”

Insurance Requirements: If awarded, BIDDERS shall represent and guarantee that all employees, agents, servants, or representatives of the Bidder, and all employees, agents, servants, or representatives of subcontractors are covered by workers' compensation insurance.

Prior to entering into contract with the District, bidder agrees to furnish the District certificates of insurance on all insurance, naming District as additional insured for items 2 and 3 below, providing evidence that bidder has in full force and effect the following minimum insurance with insurers authorized to do business in the State of Florida:

2) Workers' compensation insurance as required above.

3) Motor vehicular liability insurance with limits of not less than $1,000,000 combined single limit which insurance shall be applicable to any and all vehicles utilized by Bidder to provide the services requested by District.

4) General liability insurance for all services rendered by bidder for the requested services with a minimum of $1,000,000 personal and advertising injury and $1,000,000 general aggregate.

The certificate of insurance shall also provide that District shall be notified in writing by the carrier at least 30 days prior to any cancellation of said insurance.

Rejection of Responses: The District reserves the right to reject any and all bids or other proposals submitted in response to the District invitation. The District also reserves the right to waive any minor deviations in an otherwise valid bid.

Disqualification of Bidders: Any of the following causes shall be considered as sufficient grounds for the disqualification of a bidder and the rejection of his bid:

1. Submission of more than one bid for the same work by an individual, firm, partnership, or corporation under the same or different names.

2. Evidence of collusion among bidders.

3. Incomplete work for which the bidder is committed by contract, which, in the judgment of the District, might hinder or prevent the prompt completion of work under this contract if awarded to bidder.

4. Being in arrears on any of his existing contracts with the District or in litigation with the District or having defaulted on a previous contract with the District.

5. Any other cause which, in the District’s judgment and discretion, is sufficient to justify disqualification of a bidder or the rejection of the bid.

6. Respondents to this solicitation or persons acting on their behalf may not contact, between the release of the solicitation and the end of the 72-business hour period following the agency posting the notice of intended award any employee or officer of the District concerning any aspect of this solicitation, except in writing as indicated above. Violation of this provision may be grounds for rejecting a response.

If items ‘3’ or ‘4’ above are considered to be applicable to any prospective bidder by District prior to the issuance of bid documents, the prospective bidder will be notified and will not be allowed to pick up bid documents or submit a bid for the work. If a bid is submitted, District will notify the prospective bidder and the bid will not be opened.

Failure to Execute Contract: Failure upon the part of the bidders to whom the contract has been awarded to execute and deliver the contract, and to furnish the evidence required in “Execution of Contracts” “a – d” above, within ten (10) days after the date of award shall be just cause, if District so elects, for the annulment of the award.

Notice and Services Thereof: All notices given by District, under the provisions of this contract, shall be in writing, and service of same may be in either of the following manners:

1. By delivery of such notice to the bidders or any office of the bidders if said bidders be a corporation, or to any agent of the bidders.

2. By mailing such notice by United States mail to the address of the bidders shown on the bidder’s bid.

The District shall not accept as filed any electronically transmitted facsimile pleadings, petitions, notice of protests, or other documents.

ADA Compliance: For all electronic deliverables due under the contract resulting from this Contract Vendor must ensure that those deliverables and all supporting documents are accessible according to 282.603 Florida Statutes and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 relating to the creation and use of electronic documents. This requirement applies to editable formats, such as Microsoft Word, as well as portable document formats (PDF).

Florida Sales Tax: The attention of all prospective bidders is directed to the fact that District is exempt from payment of State of Florida sales tax pursuant to section 212.08(6), Florida

Statute. The tangible personal property that is the subject of this contract is intended to remain tangible personal property and not become a part of public works owned by the District.

Use by Other State of Florida Governmental Entities: Other State of Florida governmental entities may purchase from the Agreement to be awarded pursuant to this bid provided such use of the bid has been determined to be cost-effective by the entity. Eligible users of this bid include other water management districts, State of Florida agencies (including members of the state university system and community college system), counties, local county Boards of Public Instruction, municipalities, and other local public agencies or authorities. The general terms and conditions of this bid shall apply to the services procured by other State of Florida governmental entities referencing this bid.

The bidder has the option of providing services described under this bid to other State of Florida governmental entities at bidder’s discretion.

Funding mechanisms/work assignments must be executed in advance of work performed for another State of Florida governmental entity. The governmental entity shall utilize appropriate funding mechanisms (purchase orders, etc.) to authorize performance by bidders. All Work performed under a funding mechanism executed by another state of Florida governmental entity shall be the responsibility of that governmental entity for payment. The District shall not be a party to any such funding mechanism thereby executed and shall not be responsible for payment for any services performed for any governmental entity that utilizes bidders pursuant to this section of the bid.

Contract/project managers shall be identified for each work assignment executed between the bidders and another governmental entity. The District’s contract/project manager(s) shall not be responsible for any work performed under any bid between another governmental entity and the bidders.

Invitation to Bid 23/24-008 OPS

Suwannee River Water Management District

Holton Creek #5 Timber Sale

February 28, 2024

10:00 a.m EST

Bidder Information:

Name of Company: ______________________________________

Company Representative: ______________________________________

Signature: ______________________________________

Phone #: ______________________________________

E-mail: ______________________________________

Address: ______________________________________

City, State, Zip: ______________________________________

Federal Employer’s Identification (FEID): ______________________________________

Date: ______________________________________

Logger: ______________________________________

Master Logger has current designation: _YES__________NO______________________

BID $/TON DBH or BUTT

DIAMETER

TOP

DIAMETER

MINIMUM LENGTH

*Pine Pulpwood

*Pine Chip-N-Saw

*Pine Sawtimber

*Hardwood and Chips

*Used in Bid Comparison

Comments or Additional Information:

Minority Vendor (office use only) Yes No Classification_________________________