Department of Forestry Tree Nursery General Labor

The Virginia Department of Forestry has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) #75245 to establish a term contract for general labor services at its Sussex and Augusta nurseries, covering tree seedling processing and lifting operations. The contract requires a contractor to provide comprehensive labor and supervision for packaging approximately 25,000 boxes of containerized Loblolly and Shortleaf pine seedlings, lifting and processing around 325,000 linear feet of pine seedlings, and counting, processing, and packaging 3-7 million conifer and hardwood seedlings. Key deliverables include accurate seedling counts, proper packaging, and meeting daily and seasonal production minimums across both nursery locations. Mandatory pre-bid conferences were scheduled for July 29, 2024 (Augusta Nursery) and July 30, 2024 (Sussex Nursery), with sealed bids due by September 9, 2024 at 2:00 PM local time. The contract period spans from October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025, with four optional one-year renewals available. The Department of Forestry will provide equipment, supplies, materials, and training, while the contractor must supply personal protective equipment, supervisors fluent in English, and ensure compliance with OSHA standards.

The bid tabulation reveals three submitted bids, with Zamora Familia Labor LLC offering the lowest price at $314,650, compared to Horizon Forestry LLC at $415,465.50 and Team Right of Way LLC at $394,294. Team Right of Way LLC is specifically identified as a small, women, and minority-owned (SWaM) business, suggesting potential set-aside or preference considerations. The jurisdictions involved include Alleghany County and Southampton County in Virginia. While no explicit restrictions on bidder qualifications were detailed, the bid requires contractors to demonstrate ability to meet substantial labor and production requirements. The contract allows for potential annual price increases tied to the Consumer Price Index, and the Department of Forestry reserves the right to cancel the contract with 60 days' written notice. The total contract value ranges between $314,650 and $415,465.50 based on the submitted bids, with potential for additional value through optional renewal years.