Bee Removal Services

Collier County, Florida, through its Procurement Services Division, has issued Invitation to Bid (ITB) No. 25-8463 for Bee Removal Services targeting the Public Utilities Water Division and potentially other county departments. The solicitation seeks qualified vendors to provide bee removal and eradication services for over 800 county-owned locations, with two distinct service categories: Category A for Registered Beekeepers and Category B for Licensed Pest Control Operators. Vendors must be registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and provide documentation of their professional credentials. The contract term is three years with two optional one-year renewals, and bidders may submit proposals for one or both categories. Work must be completed within two business days of request, with urgent situations requiring service within 24 hours. The bid is due on September 29, 2025, at 3:00 pm, and the county will award the contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with the intent to identify primary, secondary, and tertiary vendors. Pricing must be all-inclusive of materials, equipment, and labor, with no additional surcharges permitted.

Regarding vendor qualifications, the solicitation does not specify specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Vendors must be enrolled in the E-Verify program and provide proof of employment eligibility documentation. Insurance requirements are comprehensive, including Workers' Compensation, Employer's Liability, Commercial General Liability, and Automobile Liability, with specific minimum coverage limits. Performance and payment bonds are required for projects exceeding $200,000. Historically, county departments have spent approximately $50,000 annually on bee removal services, though this may not indicate future spending patterns. Price increases will be considered annually based on the Consumer Price Index for the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area, subject to approval. Invoicing will be limited to actual hours worked at the site, and the county reserves the right to use the contract results across multiple departments. Vendors must comply with best management practices for live bee removals, as outlined in the comprehensive guide from the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension.