2026 Hand Planting Services for Reforestation Groundcover Restoration

The Northwest Florida Water Management District is soliciting bids for 2026 Hand Planting Services for Reforestation and Groundcover Restoration, a comprehensive ecological restoration project spanning Jackson, Liberty, and Washington counties. The procurement involves hand planting approximately 331,000 container-grown longleaf pine tubelings and 200,000 wiregrass plugs across approximately 510 acres of land. The District will provide all planting materials and anticipate leasing refrigerated trailers for material storage near planting sites, with contractors responsible for precise transportation and planting according to specific spacing and stocking rate requirements. The bid submission deadline is September 25, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. Eastern Time, with work expected to commence around February 1, 2026, and contract duration extending through March 31, 2026. Bid evaluation will involve selecting the qualified contractor submitting the lowest responsive bid, with detailed pricing required on a per-acre basis for five distinct stands. Contractors must submit comprehensive documentation including a bid acknowledgement form, bid sheet, and bidder information form, and will be required to provide a performance bond equivalent to 10% of the total contract amount.

In the event of tied bids, the District will consider additional factors such as minority business enterprise certification, veteran's business enterprise status, and implementation of a drug-free workplace program. While no explicit set-aside designations are specified, the evaluation criteria suggest a preference for diverse and socially responsible businesses. The bid does not indicate any incumbent vendors or existing technological infrastructure requirements. Though a specific budget range is not disclosed, the extensive scope of planting services across multiple counties suggests a significant contract value. Potential bidders should carefully review the draft agreement contained within the Invitation to Bid (ITB 25B-011), which outlines comprehensive specifications and conditions governing the reforestation and groundcover restoration project.