Apiary lease

The Suwannee River Water Management District is seeking bids for an apiary lease opportunity in Alachua County, Florida, involving six distinct 0.25-acre sites across two tracts of land: the High Springs Wellfield tract and the Santa Fe River Ranch tract. Each site will accommodate between 120-360 bee colonies, with the primary objective of establishing a managed apiary operation on district-owned property. The Invitation to Bid (ITB No. 24/25-002) requires bidders to be fully bonded, licensed, and insured, with specific insurance requirements including workers' compensation, motor vehicular liability of at least $300,000, and commercial general liability of $300,000. Key procurement dates include a deadline for questions by December 2, 2024, and bid submissions due by December 17, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. EDT through DemandStar. The contract will be awarded based on the total lease amount for all six sites, with an anticipated start date of January 15, 2025, and a three-year lease term. Bidders must comply with specific operational requirements, including permanently marking apiary sites with the apiarist's name, placing warning signs, and maintaining a minimum 100-foot distance from any trails unless prior written approval is obtained.

The procurement provides preference to minority business enterprises and veteran-owned businesses when proposals are ranked equally, offering potential opportunities for diverse businesses. Bidders must adhere to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Beekeeper Compliance Agreement, which establishes comprehensive Best Management Requirements for honey bee colony maintenance. These requirements include specific colony density limits, flyway barriers, fencing provisions, and operational guidelines such as monthly colony inspections and swarm prevention techniques. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the lease involves six sites with potential for generating revenue through agricultural use. Local deed restrictions and covenants prohibiting managed honey bee colonies will take precedence over the agreement, and beekeepers must contact apiary inspectors if colonies demonstrate aggressive behavior. The contract emphasizes environmental stewardship, operational best practices, and responsible management of apiaries on water management district lands.