Cone harvesting services

The South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) is seeking bids from contractors to provide cone harvesting services at the Niederhof Forestry Center in Lancaster County. The project involves harvesting cones from approximately 59 acres of Loblolly and Longleaf Pine orchards, with estimated harvest volumes ranging from 265-330 bushels for Loblolly Pine and 1,000-1,200 bushels for Longleaf Pine. The contractor must have a minimum of 3 years of verifiable cone harvesting experience and provide proof of liability insurance. The SCFC will provide the sacks and crates, while the contractor is responsible for providing the lift units, fuel, maintenance, crew supervision, and ensuring the integrity of the cone selections. Bids are due by September 10, 2024, and the contract term is from September 21, 2024 to December 31, 2024. Payment will be made on a per bushel basis, as determined by the SCFC's tally of filled crates.

The solicitation does not mention any set-aside designations or restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond. There is no incumbent vendor information provided, and the total contract value is estimated at $1.2 million annually. Funding for the contract will be provided through the state's forestry department budget.