Cow Pen 24/25 Timber Sale

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service is seeking sealed bids for a timber sale within the Withlacoochee State Forest, spanning Citrus and Hernando Counties. The procurement involves a row with operator select thinning of approximately 184 acres of planted longleaf pine, divided into three distinct stands. Areas A and B, totaling 174 acres, will require harvesting every fourth row for access and selective tree removal to achieve a 60 square feet per acre basal area, while Area C, a 10-acre stand, will involve harvesting every third row to reach a 40 square feet per acre basal area. The timber sale objectives include removing diseased, deformed, forked, and suppressed trees, along with a portion of intermediate and codominant trees, while preserving healthy trees with good form and large crowns. The contract will be a twelve-month agreement, with an estimated timber volume of 6,000 tons of pine pulpwood and 2,000 tons of pine chip-n-saw and better. Bids will be opened on May 13, 2025, at 10:00 AM EDT in Brooksville, Florida, with interested parties required to contact Daniel Taylor at (352) 797-4136 for complete bid information.

There are no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on organizational types mentioned in the procurement documents. The Florida Forest Service reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any irregularities in the bidding process. Sale boundaries are defined by roads, firelines, orange paint, or obvious forest type changes. While no incumbent vendors are identified, the procurement includes detailed maps of the three timber sale areas (Areas A, B, and C) within the Withlacoochee State Forest, providing comprehensive geographical context for potential bidders. The documents do not specify a precise budget range or award value, but the timber sale involves the removal of approximately 8,000 tons of timber products. Bidders will need to demonstrate capability in selective timber harvesting, forest management, and adherence to environmental considerations, as evidenced by the detailed wetland and forest type classifications in the accompanying maps.