Snow Hill Tract Natural Community Map.pdf

This is a natural community map produced by the Florida Forest Service depicting the Snow Hill Tract within the Little Big Econ State Forest in Geneva, Florida. The map, created by Stephen Stipkovits on June 24, 2025, identifies the 1,415-acre lease area and its key features, including infrastructure elements such as a state forest headquarters, cattle pens, cell tower, water sources, barns, houses, molasses tanks, and pole barns. The procurement seeks a qualified beef producer to establish a new five-year cattle grazing lease with a potential one-year renewal option at a current stocking rate of 250 animal units subject to annual review and adjustment. Prospective bidders must attend a mandatory site visit on January 28, 2026, at 10:00 AM EST, submit written inquiries by February 3, 2026, and submit bids by February 27, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST to 3125 Conner Boulevard, MS C-25, Tallahassee, Florida 32399. An anticipated notice of award is scheduled for March 10, 2026, with a contract start date of April 1, 2026.

The lease area comprises 777.3 acres of pasture, 540.5 acres of dome swamp and hydric hammocks, 54.5 acres of scrub, 25.8 acres of roads, 9.2 acres of marsh, 4.2 acres of buildings, 3.4 acres of ponds, and 0.1 acres of tower. Evaluation criteria award 50 points for business experience and qualifications, 100 points for a five-year grazing and land stewardship plan, and 50 points for bid price, with three reference letters required but unscored. Minimum qualifications require bidders to manage an existing beef production operation of at least 1,500 acres in Florida with a successful 10-year track record, be enrolled in the Cow/Calf Best Management Practices Program, and maintain membership in the Florida Cattleman's Association. The lessee assumes responsibility for maintaining perimeter and cross-fencing, constructing and maintaining gates and cattle gaps, and managing associated costs. Insurance requirements include Commercial General Liability coverage with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, plus Automobile Liability insurance with minimum limits of $300,000. Lease payments are calculated at a rate per allowable animal unit, with potential cost-share considerations for reasonable repairs outside normal operational maintenance. No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are identified, and the lease area is closed to the general public but may be open to Special Opportunity Hunts for the Operation Outdoor Freedom program.