Babcock Ranch Preserve Nuisance Plant Herbicide Treatment

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is seeking competitive bids for a herbicide maintenance treatment project at the Babcock Ranch Preserve in Charlotte County, Florida. The contract involves treating approximately 5,370 acres to eliminate Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) Category 1 non-native invasive plants, including Brazilian pepper, Caesar weed, old world climbing fern, cogon grass, torpedo grass, and melaleuca. Contractors must provide all labor, tools, transportation, supervision, herbicides, surfactants, and dye markers, with a required 95% plant mortality rate within three months of treatment completion. Bidders must possess a Florida restricted use pesticide applicators license and certified commercial applicators license in natural areas weed management or aquatic category. A mandatory pre-bid site visit is scheduled for February 27, 2025, at 9:00 am at the Babcock Ranch Preserve Headquarters. Sealed bids are due March 14, 2025, by 5:00 pm, with bid opening on March 17, 2025. The initial contract period runs through June 15, 2025, with three potential one-year renewal options.

The procurement appears to be open to all qualified vendors without specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. Contractors must meet stringent insurance requirements, including $1 million in general liability coverage, $500,000 in chemical drift control liability insurance, $300,000 in automobile liability, and workers' compensation coverage. Vendors are required to submit several attachments with their bid, including a Certification of Site Visitation, Past Performance/References, Acknowledgement Form, Price Sheet, and various certifications regarding lobbying, debarment, and workplace programs. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, pricing will be evaluated on a per-acre basis for the initial treatment and three potential renewal years. The Department intends to make a single award to the responsive and responsible vendor with the lowest Grand Total Price, with the flexibility to adjust acreage based on available funding.