Babcock Ranch Preserve Road Work

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking competitive bids for a road maintenance project at Babcock Ranch Preserve near Punta Gorda, Florida. The procurement involves supplying, delivering, spreading, and grading approximately 9,279 tons of DOT-certified bank run shell base material (Code B02) on Bull Head Grade, covering a maintenance distance of approximately 2.5 miles. Specific requirements include spreading material to a minimum depth of 6 inches and width of 14-18 feet, with a finished 4-inch center crown for water drainage. A mandatory pre-bid conference is scheduled for December 16, 2025, at 10:00 AM ET at the Loblolly Bay Road SW Entrance, and attendance is critical as failure to attend the entire conference will result in bid disqualification. Written questions must be submitted by December 23, 2025, at 5:00 PM ET, with sealed bids due January 6, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET. The public bid opening will occur on January 6, 2026, at 3:30 PM ET, with an anticipated award date of January 9, 2026. Bidders must submit per-ton pricing including all material and delivery costs, and the contract requires completion by May 31, 2026.

Subcontracting is permitted, and bidders must submit a Subcontractor Minority Status Report with each invoice. Contractors must be registered in MyFloridaMarketplace and the SunBiz system and provide a minimum of three verifiable references for similar projects. The project requires delivery using 18-22 cubic yard dump trucks, with a minimum of 25 and maximum of 100 loads per day. Prior to the Notice to Proceed, the awarded contractor must provide Florida Department of Transportation Material Certification confirming DOT certification from the material source. The estimated project budget is $278,356, and the contract will be awarded to the responsive, responsible bidder submitting the lowest total price. Liquidated damages of $100 per calendar day will be applied for failure to complete work by the deadline. Contractors must coordinate all work with the FWC Project Manager, providing 48-72 hours' notice before beginning work, and attend a pre-work on-site planning meeting. The contract term is one year from the issuance of the Purchase Order, with final invoices due by June 4, 2026.