Compressed Bales of Soil

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is soliciting sealed bids for approximately 150 compressed bales of potting soil for Andrews Nursery in Chiefland, Florida, under ITB FFS 26 27 54, with vendor questions due October 30, 2026 and bids due November 12, 2026. Non-Florida vendors must provide a written legal opinion on preferences granted to in-state businesses or face disqualification. Vendors must also register in MyFloridaMarketPlace and submit a valid W-9 to the Florida Department of Financial Services before purchase order issuance, and the department charges a one percent MyFloridaMarketPlace transaction fee on all payments.

The solicitation is issued on behalf of the Florida Forest Service. Each bale must be 110 cubic feet and composed of 80–85% Canadian peat moss screened for minimal stick content and 15–20% perlite, with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5, a starter charge, and a non-ionic wetting agent. Bids must be firm fixed unit prices per bale, inclusive of packaging, handling, shipping, delivery, environmental fees, and fuel surcharges, with no separate delivery fees permitted. A 90-day warranty against defective materials and workmanship is required, and no subcontracting is permitted without prior written department consent. Vendors must also submit the FDACS Acknowledgement Form, Price Sheet, Forced Labor Certification for Commodities, Vendor Certification forms, and a Certification Regarding Lobbying and Debarment for expenditures over $25,000. A Drug-Free Workplace Certification is optional.

Delivery requires at least 50 bales by December 1, 2026, with the remaining bales due by February 1, 2027. The department intends to issue an initial one-year purchase order with renewal options in one-year increments for up to three additional years at the same terms. Payment is made upon delivery and satisfactory completion by state warrant, supported by invoices detailed enough for pre-audit and post-audit.

The department may make a single award or no award, based on the state's best interest. It will award to the responsive and responsible vendor with the lowest Initial Term Grand Total Price. Bid opening is November 13, 2026, at 10:00 AM, and written responses to questions are anticipated by November 6, 2026.