Al-Bar & Cross Bar Ranch One Time Pine Straw Harvest (REBID)

Pinellas County Utilities (PCU) is soliciting bids for a one-time pine straw harvest contract (Bid #23-0721-ITB) located at the Cross Bar and Al-Bar Ranch in Pasco County, Florida. The procurement seeks a contractor to harvest approximately 1,331 acres of planted slash pine trees ranging from 7 to 11 years old. Key deliverables include harvesting pine straw from plantations established between 2012-2015, with contractors responsible for site maintenance, weed control, and adhering to strict environmental and operational guidelines. The bid was released on April 6, 2023, with questions due by April 13, 2023, and proposal submissions required by April 20, 2023, at 3:00 pm. The initial contract term is 12 months, with potential extensions of up to an additional 6-month period. Contractors must submit electronic proposals through the OpenGov procurement website and are expected to prepare harvest areas using existing roads while following specific access and maintenance requirements. Pricing will be based on a per-acre rate, with bidders required to submit unit costs for acres planted in different years.

There are no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on organizational types mentioned in the solicitation documents. The contract is a rebid following a previous contractor's default on a long-term lease contract. While no incumbent vendors are explicitly identified, Pinellas County has already performed initial site preparation, including mowing and herbicide application to prepare the pine plantations for harvesting. Harvest activities are limited to weekdays between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm, with restrictions during holidays. Contractors must protect seedlings, trees, and property infrastructure during the harvest process. Although a specific award value is not disclosed, the scope involves harvesting pine straw from 1,331 acres across multiple plantation years, suggesting a potentially significant contract value. The geographical area spans multiple counties, including Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough, and Pinellas, with the primary harvest location in Pasco County.