Big Bend WMA Prescribed Burning Services

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is requesting sealed bids for prescribed burning services on the Big Bend Wildlife Management Area in Taylor and Dixie Counties, with bids due October 6, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET and a mandatory pre-bid conference and site visit on September 22, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET. Contractors must hold Florida Certified Prescribed Burn Manager certification with at least five years of experience managing prescribed burns and a minimum of twenty prior burn authorizations from the Florida Forest Service during the past five years — the binding qualification filter.

The scope encompasses prescribed burns on approximately 11,825 acres of fire-maintained conservation lands, including mesic flatwoods, restoration sandhill, sandhill, scrubby flatwoods, and wet flatwoods. Work requires continual coordination with FWC's Project Manager and Contract Manager and is intended to supplement FWC's in-house program. The contractor assumes responsibility for all permitting, equipment, personnel, and costs associated with prescribed burning operations, including fire suppression costs and damages resulting from escaped fires. Subcontracting of Certified Prescribed Burn Manager responsibilities is prohibited.

Bidders must submit pricing on a per-acre basis for the initial contract term and each of three potential renewal years. The contract has an initial term of one year from Purchase Order issuance with FWC holding the option to renew yearly for up to three additional years under the same terms and conditions. No minimum amount of work is guaranteed. The award will be made to the responsive, responsible bidder submitting the lowest total price. Contractors must provide a Performance Bond equal to 100 percent of the total contract price before commencing work and submit a minimum of three references for similar projects. Liquidated damages of $100 per calendar day apply for failure to complete work by the specified completion date, except for unavoidable delay beyond the contractor's control. Bidders must be registered in MyFloridaMarketPlace and the SunBiz system prior to bid opening. Written questions are due September 28, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET, with anticipated award on October 12, 2026.