2024-2025 Herbicide Invasive Plant Treatment Little Big Econ State Forest

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is seeking competitive bids for a herbicide invasive plant treatment project in the Little Big Econ State Forest, located in Seminole County. The procurement covers a 461-acre area within the South Yarborough tract, with specific requirements for treating Cogon grass, Caesar weed, and Chinese tallow. Contractors must perform an initial treatment of these invasive plants, followed by two additional follow-up treatments of Caesar weed spaced two months apart during the growing season. Vendor qualifications include possessing a State of Florida Restricted Use Pesticide Applicators License with either a natural areas weed management or aquatic endorsement. A mandatory pre-bid site visit is scheduled for November 20, 2024, at 10:00 AM at 1350 Snow Hill Road in Geneva, FL. Sealed bids are due by December 19, 2024, at 5:00 PM, with bid opening on December 20, 2024, at 9:00 AM. The anticipated contract award date is December 30, 2024, with the contract period running through August 31, 2025.

The solicitation does not specify any specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Vendors must submit complete project pricing, including a unit price per acre and a total price for the entire 461-acre project area. The contract allows for potential renewal for up to three additional one-year terms at FDACS's sole discretion. Contractors are required to provide insurance coverage, including $1 million in general liability, $500,000 in chemical drift control liability, and $300,000 in automobile liability insurance. No subcontracting is permitted without prior written approval from FDACS. The estimated infestation rates for the project area are 37% for Cogon grass, 65% for Caesar weed, and 32% for Chinese tallow. The contract includes liquidated damages of $100 per calendar day for delays within the contractor's control, and vendors must provide satisfactory past performance references as part of their bid submission.