Commercial Timber Sale Taber State Forest Stand 23

The Delaware Department of Agriculture Forest Service is requesting proposals for a commercial timber sale at Taber State Forest Stand 23, with bids due October 14, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at the department's Dover office. The solicitation is an RFP for harvesting and removal of approximately 302,031 board feet of sawtimber across 29.8 acres, comprising 239,432 board feet of Loblolly Pine, 8,949 board feet of Red Oak group, and 53,650 board feet of other hardwoods.

Evaluation is weighted 25 points to contractor capability and prior performance on public and private lands and 75 points to bid amount. The successful bidder must maintain liability insurance of at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence, plus $50,000 property damage coverage, and must comply with Delaware's Forestry Practices Erosion and Sediment Control Law. Harvesting operations must employ the savannah thinning method, avoid damage to residual trees marked with blue paint, and submit approved crew member names and references prior to commencing work. Damage to designated residual trees incurs a penalty of three times the market value of the damaged timber.

Each bid must include a $5,000 certified check payable to the Delaware Department of Agriculture Forest Service as a performance guarantee; unsuccessful bidders' deposits are returned within 7 to 60 days after contract signing. Contract award is anticipated within 30 calendar days of bid opening. The successful bidder must execute contract documents within 30 calendar days of award notification. The contract term is 365 calendar days from execution, with potential extensions available upon written request submitted at least two weeks before expiration. The buyer assumes responsibility for restoration work. Public opening and reading of proposals occurs at the time and location of bid receipt.