2025 Timber Stand Improvement Herbicide Treatment - Wakulla State Forest

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking competitive bids for a timber stand improvement herbicide treatment project within Wakulla State Forest, located in Wakulla County, Florida. The procurement involves mechanical ground application of herbicide treatment services for approximately 233 acres across three distinct sites: Site 1 (59 acres), Site 2 (20 acres), and Site 3 (154 acres). Contractors must apply a specific herbicide mixture of 64 ounces of Garlon XRT and 32 ounces of Methylated Seed Oil per acre, using a minimum application rate of 30 gallons of mixture per acre with water as a carrier. Bidders are required to have a current Florida Department of Agriculture commercial applicator's license and must use either a skidder or large farm tractor for application. The bid solicitation was released on August 13, 2025, with a recommended site visit scheduled for August 19, 2025, between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Written inquiries are due by August 22, 2025, and sealed bids must be submitted by September 9, 2025, at 5:00 PM, with a public bid opening via teleconference on September 10, 2025, at 9:30 AM.

The contract opportunity does not specify any specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Bidders must provide proof of various insurance coverages, including general liability, chemical drift control, automobile liability, and workers' compensation. The contract will be awarded to the responsive and responsible vendor with the lowest Grand Total Price, with the Department reserving the right to adjust quantities up to an additional 20% of the specified contract acreage if needed. The contract period will be effective upon purchase order execution and must be completed by November 15, 2025. While no incumbent vendors are mentioned, the project requires integration with existing forest management practices and specifications of the Florida Forest Service. Although a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the project involves treatment of 233 acres of forestland, which suggests a moderate-scale contract value. Interested vendors should carefully review the detailed specifications in the Invitation to Bid (ITB FFS 25 26 30) and accompanying project documents.